{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6502ec015032c7001167fc64/6a1eab409942b8f91f05dab6?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"How Cold Water Therapy Saved Her Life, Author and Adevnturer Sara Barnes","description":"<p>In this episode of She Who Dares Wins, Michelle sits down with Sara, an author and cold water swim guide who has rebuilt her life through divorce, grief, major surgeries, and a near-death experience on the operating table.</p><p><br></p><p>From being told she’d never “make it” as a freelancer, to years of rejection before finally landing a book deal, Sara shares how cold water, community, and storytelling helped her find courage, connection, and a new chapter in her 60s.</p><p><br></p><p>This one is for anyone who feels “too ordinary,” too late, or scared to put their work out into the world.</p><p><br></p><h2>Key Takeaways </h2><ul><li>Life is short – act now, not “one day”</li><li>Facing heart surgery, failed operations, and grief taught Sara to stop postponing the things that matter.</li><li>Cold water as medicine</li><li>A 10-degree lake became her way back to the outdoors, easing pain, rebuilding confidence, and reconnecting with her body and mind.</li><li>Community over competition</li><li>The cold-water swimming world gave her supportive connection she never found in more competitive sports.</li><li>Social media is a tool, not the measure of your worth</li><li>Instagram can be frustrating, but breaks, boundaries, and real-life connections matter more than algorithms.</li><li>Rejection doesn’t mean your story doesn’t matter</li><li>Years of “no” eventually led to a book deal – and readers now message her to say her stories helped them be braver.</li><li>Dreams feel different when they come true</li><li>Publishing a book was a lifelong dream, but the reality came without fanfare – just the question: “What now?”</li><li>Boundaries change everything</li><li>Learning to say no, choose better people, and set limits helped her finally find the right kind of support.</li><li>Dare: stop hiding your work</li><li>If you want to write, submit something – a pitch, a manuscript, a competition entry. Expect rejection, celebrate small wins, and get your words out of your laptop and into the world.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Are you ready to stop dounting yourself and become more daring like our guests? Join <a href=\"https://www.shewhodareswins.com/pages/dare-club\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Dare Club now! </a></p>","author_name":"Michelle Hands"}