When Christine was eight years old, she discovered something that would stay with her for the rest of her life: a love for the water.
As a child, swimming came naturally. The pool was a place of freedom, joy, and confidence. But like so many passions, life eventually got in the way. Work, family, and the responsibilities of adulthood meant swimming became an occasional activity rather than a regular part of her routine.
Then retirement changed everything.
“When I got back into the pool, it felt like coming home,” Christine says.
That feeling sparked a new chapter — one she never could have predicted.
A Lifelong Love of Swimming Returns
Instead of simply swimming laps to stay active, Christine challenged herself to build her endurance. Little by little, she became stronger, more confident, and more curious about what she was capable of accomplishing.
Before long, she decided to pursue something that initially seemed completely out of reach: becoming a rescue lifeguard.
Most people earning their lifeguard certifications were between 18 and 20 years old. Christine was decades older.
That didn’t stop her.
“I like doing things that seem impossible at first,” she says.
Becoming a Lifeguard Later in Life
The certification wasn’t easy. It required completing around 50 different rescue scenarios, demonstrating lifesaving techniques, and proving she could respond effectively in emergencies.
It demanded physical strength, stamina, and quick thinking.
Christine embraced every challenge.
Not only did she earn her certification, but she also spent several years working as a lifeguard at her local recreation center, primarily watching over senior swimmers and swimmers with special needs.
For her, it wasn’t just about sitting poolside.
It was about giving back to the community.
Helping others feel safe in the water became just as rewarding as swimming itself.
But Christine wasn’t finished setting ambitious goals.
Taking on a 50-Mile Swim Challenge
This year marks the 50th anniversary of her community pool, and to celebrate, organizers introduced a fitting challenge: swim 50 miles.
Christine signed up, with some encouragement from her Boston Marathon-running friend.
She knew exactly what she was getting into.
“The swimming itself wasn’t what worried me,” she says. “It was the boredom and the mental toughness required to keep doing it day after day after day.”
Anyone who has spent significant time swimming laps understands what she means. Unlike running or cycling, where scenery constantly changes, lap swimming can feel repetitive. The black line on the bottom of the pool becomes your only view for hours at a time.
Early in the challenge, Christine tried using a traditional waterproof MP3 player to make the experience more enjoyable.
It wasn’t the answer she hoped for.
“It was clunky and just wasn’t a great experience,” she recalls.
Discovering Zygo and Making Long Swims Sustainable
Around mile seven or eight, while searching for a better solution, Christine remembered something she had once come across that caught her attention: Zygo, which had been recognized as one of TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions of the Year.
She decided to give it a try.
It quickly transformed her daily swims.
Unlike traditional underwater audio devices, Zygo was remarkably easy to set up and use. Even more importantly, it allowed Christine to stream exactly what she wanted while swimming.
Now her laps are accompanied by podcasts, current events, news, and other engaging audio that keeps both her body and her mind moving forward.
“The mental aspect has been the hardest part,” Christine says. “Zygo has really helped me.”
One of her favorite features is the open-ear design, which lets her stay aware of her surroundings while still enjoying her audio. She can hear what’s happening around the pool while staying immersed in whatever she’s listening to — a balance that’s especially important given her years as a lifeguard.
The technology hasn’t made the miles disappear.
It hasn’t made the challenge easy.
But it has helped make the journey sustainable.
Every lap still requires commitment.
Every mile is still earned.
Halfway to 50 Miles and Still Moving Forward
Yet instead of counting endless black lines on the bottom of the pool, Christine now finishes swims having learned something new, laughed at a podcast, or caught up on current events.
The miles seem to pass with a little more purpose.
As of this writing, Christine has completed 25 of her 50-mile goal.
She’s officially halfway there.
Christine’s story is about falling back in love with swimming, but more so, it’s about refusing to let age define what’s possible. It’s about continuing to grow long after many people assume the biggest adventures are behind them. And, perhaps most importantly, it’s a reminder that the hardest part of any challenge often isn’t physical.
Swimming is tough mentally, and while Zygo doesn’t do the work for her, it’s a helpful companion in a solitary sport.
Go, Christine! We’re cheering you on all the way to mile 50.
