{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6502ec015032c7001167fc64/6910ee247728b8766c636520?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Bravery, Boundaries, and Skinny Dipping into Self-Discovery with Sara Barnes","description":"<p>This week, Michelle sits down with writer, swimmer, and all-round adventurer <strong>Sara Barnes</strong>, whose story is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention. After surviving major heart surgery and multiple health setbacks, Sara turned to the freezing lakes of Cumbria for healing — and found her purpose.</p><p><br></p><p>From the icy calm of cold-water swimming to the realities of rejection, imposter syndrome, and late-life confidence, Sara’s story is a reminder that it’s <em>never too late</em> to start over or to finally back yourself.</p><p><br></p><h3>🗝️ <strong>Key Takeaways</strong></h3><ul><li><strong>Life’s curveballs are invitations, not endings.</strong> Sara’s health scares forced her to slow down and realign her priorities.</li><li><strong>Community saves us.</strong> Cold-water swimming connected her to a supportive world of women who push past comfort zones together.</li><li><strong>Rejection isn’t failure.</strong> Years of “no” built the tenacity that led to her first published book.</li><li><strong>Dreams lose their sparkle when they become reality — and that’s okay.</strong> The growth is in the pursuit, not the finish line.</li><li><strong>Boundaries build better relationships.</strong> Saying “no” turned Sara’s life from lonely to aligned.</li><li><strong>Confidence isn’t a switch.</strong> Even the boldest women still battle self-doubt — the trick is doing it anyway.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3><strong>Timestamps</strong></h3><p>0:00 — Welcome &amp; Sara’s story: surviving heart surgery and finding perspective</p><p>0:03:40 — Grief, loss, and how writing helped her heal</p><p>0:11:50 — The Instagram trap: learning to disconnect and reconnect with real life</p><p>0:12:18 — The unexpected beginning: how cold-water swimming saved her</p><p>0:19:48 — From ugly duckling to swan: the boss who underestimated her</p><p>0:26:20 — [Mid-Roll Ad Slot] + Identity shift — becoming an author and imposter syndrome</p><p>0:33:45 — The truth about chasing dreams and learning to enjoy the process</p><p>0:43:30 — Skinny dipping, confidence, and helping women find freedom</p><p>0:52:55 — <em>Bonus Episode begins: Quick-fire dares and reflections</em></p>","author_name":"Michelle Hands"}