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She Who Dares, Wins.

The Ripple Effect: Wild Swimming’s Role in Mental Wellness with Zoe Hall

Season 4, Ep. 15

Zoe Hall is a former teacher and a passionate advocate for wild swimming and the profound impact it can have on mental health and community building. After leaving a stressful career in teaching, Zoe has journeyed around the world, undertaking wild swimming adventures across different continents. She is now the founder of the Dippendales Co., which not only offers unique swimwear sourced from recycled materials but also organizes wild swimming and hiking retreats. Zoe is dedicated to creating inclusive spaces for women in the wild swimming community and promoting the mental and physical benefits that come with embracing the outdoors.


Episode Summary:

In this absorbing episode of the podcast, Zoe Hall shares her transformative journey from a teacher to the founder of Dippendales Co., highlighting her deep-rooted love for wild swimming. The conversation delves into Zoe's personal experiences, her adventures across the globe, and the inception of her business that intertwines her passion for swimwear design with the empowering activity of wild swimming.

Zoe's story is one of daring change and the pursuit of well-being through nature. With vivid anecdotes from her wild swimming adventures in places like Lake Louise, Canada, and the glacial lakes of Bavaria, the discussion illuminates the way these experiences shaped her philosophy towards life and work. The episode also explores the growth of wild swimming as a community and its benefits for mental health post-COVID, along with Zoe's aspirations to make a broader social impact through her retreats and potential charity work.


Key Takeaways:
  • Zoe Hall emphasizes the importance of pursuing personal well-being, even if it means leaving a secure career.
  • Wild swimming has been a part of Zoe's life since childhood, leading to her founding the Dippendales Co.
  • Community and inclusivity are central to Zoe's mission, inspiring women to embrace their bodies and the healing nature of water.
  • The growth of the wild swimming community highlights the activity's mental health benefits, especially following the lockdowns.
  • Zoe has aspirations to establish a charity to provide retreat access to those who can't afford it and to potentially manufacture swimwear in the UK.
Resources:
  • Instagram: @dipsanddalesco
  • website www.dipsanddalesco.com



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