Diana Nyad

Legendary Distance Swimmer & First Person to Swim from Cuba to Florida (without a shark cage!)

25 million people worldwide rooted for Diana Nyad as she approached the Florida shore, at long last achieving her 35-year-old dream of becoming the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida.

Never Ever Give Up

Diana is not one to quit. On her fifth attempt, speaking the words “Never Ever Give Up” to the wildly cheering crowd on a Key West beach on September 2, 2013, Diana may have been dazed and physically spent, but she showed the world what persistence and bold spirit can manifest. Diana stroked the amazing 110.86 miles in 52 hours, 54 minutes, 18 seconds.

NYAD on Netflix

Netflix’s film, NYAD. is based on the life of Diana Nyad, who has been one of Speaker.com’s most-booked and highly-reviewed speakers for the last 10 years. NYAD stars Annette Bening and Jodie Foster, and is directed by Academy Award winners Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi (Free Solo).

Find a Way

A worldwide response of inspiration came flooding toward Diana, from personal messages from President Obama and Hillary Clinton to literally millions of people who felt their own lives lifted with Diana’s “Find a Way” philosophy.

Motivation

Daring to reach for the stars, this swim beginning to seem impossible (after her four attempts over 35 years and other strong swimmers trying and failing since 1950), Diana has motivated the world at large to live fearlessly, to chase one’s dreams with unwavering commitment.

Teamwork

The second statement the victorious 64-year-old made on that Key West beach? “You’re never too old to chase your dreams.” And her third statement on that historic day: “It looks a solitary sport, but it’s a TEAM.” Courage, bold vision, and the ability to articulate her philosophies have propelled Diana through an inspiring life.

Media

A prominent sports journalist, filing for National Public Radio, ABC’s Wide World of Sports, The New York Times and others, Diana has carved her place as one of our compelling storytellers and sought-after  public speakers.

Stage Show

In September, 2019, Diana’s stage show “The Swimmer” played to sold-out audiences at the storied Minetta Lane Theater in New York City. And the play is now being courted at other off-Broadway theaters for 2021.

Movie

Nyad is slated for 2022 release as a feature film, the inimitable Annette Bening signed to play Diana. The film will also star Jodie Foster. It has worldwide distribution on Netflix.

Memoir

Diana’s memoir, Find a Way, has earned worldwide praise. She has written three other books and speaks French and Spanish fluently.

Activism

Diana and her Cuba Swim Head Handler Bonnie Stoll have launched an initiative called EverWalk, to lead us walking along the epic outdoor corridors of America. Diana and Bonnie intend to turn us into a nation of millions of walkers. And Diana is yet again dreaming big, leading a million swimmers and walkers (Swimmers Commit, EverWalkers Commit) June 2020 from Miami to Washington, DC, in a push for American companies and individuals to reduce single use plastics in our businesses and our homes.

Biopic

Four-time Oscar nominee Annette Bening  is set to star in Nyad. The project is based on Diana Nyad’s best-selling autobiography Find A Way, which follows the remarkable true story of the swimmer who, at age 64, assisted by her best friend and crew of 35 dedicated supporters, defied the odds to become the first person to complete the 110-mile journey from Cuba to Florida, through poisonous jellyfish and shark-infested waters.