I met Coach Hélène toward the end of 2022, right as I was gearing up for my first triathlon—a Half-Ironman in Victoria. At that point, I'd already built a foundation in endurance sports through distance running, which I started in 2019 as a way to cope during a difficult divorce. I even completed the BMO Marathon in 2022, but IT band syndrome forced me to pivot toward triathlon training.

One major hurdle was open-water swimming. I never learned to swim as a kid and only began as an adult specifically for the Half-Ironman. I was genuinely terrified of open water—I could barely navigate a pool at first. By 2022, I'd made progress and could swim continuously for 20–30 minutes, but my speed and confidence remained low.

That's where Hélène came in. In the winter of 2022, she introduced me to cold water swimming, and it completely transformed my approach. Under her guidance and coaching, I acclimated to swimming in 5–6°C water for 18 minutes, even with air temperatures dipping to -2°C.

The benefits went far beyond the physical. Cold water exposure dramatically improved my sleep quality, accelerated recovery from tough training sessions, lifted my mood, and gave me powerful tools for stress management.

Early 2023 brought another big life challenge: after 10 years, I sold my business and navigated a stressful career pivot. I truly credit regular cold water swimming—with Hélène's expert coaching—for helping me stay grounded, resilient, and clear-headed through that turbulent period.

I fell in love with the ritual of early-morning ocean swims before sunrise. My comfort and confidence in open water skyrocketed.

All of this culminated in successfully completing the Half-Ironman in 5 hours and 48 minutes, including a solid 38-minute swim for the 1.9 km distance—something that once seemed impossible.

What stands out most is how the mental toughness built through cold water exposure translates to every challenge in life.

Hélène didn't just teach me to handle freezing water; she helped me build a mindset of resilience that carries over into work, personal growth, and facing the unknown.

Thank you, Coach Hélène, for your guidance, patience, and belief in me. You've been instrumental in turning fears into strengths and making cold water immersion a lifelong passion. I highly recommend her to anyone ready to push their limits—physically and mentally.