180.2 - Swimming from Cuba to Florida: Irregular Verb Story with Diana Nyad
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Hi, everybody. My name is Shauna, and this is the American English Podcast. My goal here is to teach you the English spoken in the United States. Through common expressions, pronunciation tips, and interesting cultural snippets or stories, I hope to keep this fun, useful, and interesting. Let's do it.

A few weeks ago, my daughters and I were cuddled up in bed with blankets pulled up to our chests and a nightlight shining on a new book we'd borrowed from the library. It was called The Girl Who Rode a Shark and Other Stories of Daring Women by Elisa Ross.

Every page of that book was filled with short stories of women who did incredible things, from Teuta, a pirate queen who resisted ancient Rome, to Ada Blackjack, a castaway who survived on an Arctic island by herself. The stories were unbelievable.

Then I landed on a story about Diana Nyad, the woman who swam from Cuba to Florida. The idea sucked me in. My first thought was, well, are Cuba and Florida that close? I mean, close enough to swim to?

The short answer is no. The shortest distance from Cuba to Key West is 103 miles, which in the ocean can take anywhere from 50 to 70 hours of swimming. And that's if the strong Gulf Stream isn't working too hard against you. Diana swam it in roughly 53 hours. 53 hours!

How in the world? How did she swim that long? How did she eat? How did she sleep? And what about sharks? In episode 108.2, we talked about sharks in U.S. waters. And let me tell you, those waters, between Florida and Cuba, are infested with sharks. And she didn't have a shark cage to protect herself?

I had so many questions. And fortunately, she has her own documentary. There's a Netflix movie about her called Nyad. She has a lot of TED Talks online and an infinite number of interviews to watch. I'll post some of my favorite ones in the episode notes for you to watch. Today, we're doing an irregular verb lesson. And we'll start with a listening exercise.

It's going to be about the story of Diana Nyad Swim from Cuba to Florida. Then we'll do a review of the 10 irregular verbs you heard in the story. There are more than that, some we introduced in previous lessons, but 10 we will be focusing on. Remember, regular verbs have ed endings in English. I walked around my neighborhood this morning.

Walked is a regular verb. It ends in "-ed". After I walked, I ate a piece of cake. Ate doesn't end in "-ed", so it's irregular.

Once again, I've strategically placed irregular verbs in this story. So we'll do this listening exercise. We'll review the 10 irregular verbs. Then we'll do an exercise to make sure you remember the past tense form. After that, we'll listen to the story again. That second listening is really helpful if you want to retain new vocab.

I encourage you to stay tuned until the very end, when I'll share more fun facts about Diana and open water swimming. The information I've discovered is just too cool. I'm so into this right now. So stay tuned until the end. We're going to begin the story now. Pay attention. See how many irregular verbs you hear.

In the late summer of 2013, Diana Nyad, an endurance swimmer, set out on an extraordinary journey across the open sea. Her goal was to swim 110 miles from Havana, Cuba to Key West, Florida, a feat no one had accomplished without a shark cage.

This challenge meant she would be immersed in strong currents and surrounded by the world's most deadly creatures, including about 57 species of sharks. Nobody believed she could do it. After all, she was 64 years old, and she'd tried four times before, starting in 1978. Each attempt had been hindered by a treacherous obstacle.

At 28 years old, Diana was forced to abandon her swim after 42 hours as relentless currents and winds swept her off course. Decades later, between 2011 and 2012, she made three more attempts.

each one more challenging than the last. In 2011, she endured excruciating shoulder pain and a severe asthma attack and was pulled out of the water after 29 hours. That same summer, she returned with Tylenol and a slightly altered stroke. But as she swam through the warm ocean water, a box jellyfish stung her.

its venom causing unbearable pain, swelling, and even temporary paralysis. For 24 agonizing hours, she bore the pain of those stings and then was stung again. After 42 hours in the water, it was clear her third attempt was over.

In 2012, she was ready to take on the challenge again. But the jellyfish returned with a vengeance. After nine stings and two vicious storms, even Diana's strongest supporters were in doubt. Was it worth chasing this pipe dream? Diana was determined to find a way.

And her first priority was enlisting a jellyfish expert, someone who could protect her from those debilitating stings.

At the time, her team consisted of a world-class navigator to map out currents along the Gulf Stream, a shark team to deploy an electronic shark shield and monitor the water for activity, and handlers to ensure her well-being. Having a jellyfish expert on board was a game-changer.

In the summer of 2013, at 64 years old, Diana felt stronger than ever. Yes, she'd been faster when she was younger, but now she was mentally in her prime. When a brief window of ideal weather appeared, her team of 40 acted. On August 31st, under blue skies and calm waters, Diana leapt from the rocks at Hemingway Marina in Cuba.

Next stop, Key West, over 100 miles away. This was her fifth attempt, so it wasn't her first rodeo. A boat called the Voyager and kayakers accompanied her. On deck stood Bonnie, her best friend and coach. She motivated her. 53 strokes per minute for nearly 53 hours.

Bonnie made sure Diana drank water and lots of electrolytes at regular intervals to stay hydrated. She fed her solids, too. Although in rough water, like on the second night, Diana felt seasick and lost her stomach. Unlike previous attempts, Diana was ready for the jellyfish this time. She wore a protective jellyfish suit and a mask that left only her lips exposed.

She then coated her lips with a magical cream called Sting No More. Jellyfish hated that cream. After nearly 53 hours of swimming, bouts of seasickness, and extreme hallucinations, like seeing the Taj Mahal, Diana reached the shores of Key West, making her the first and only person to ever swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage.

110 miles. Diana once held the record for swimming around Manhattan Island in New York in 7 hours and 57 minutes. She'd swum from the Bahamas to Florida before. But on September 2, 2013, her dream came true. Her historic swim at 64 years old not only cemented her legacy as one of the greatest endurance swimmers of all time...

But it's a reminder to never set limitations on ourselves. The impossible is possible if we don't give up. That's it. At the very end, I'll share more fun facts about open water swimming, Diana's training, and this crazy adventure, so keep listening. For now, let's go ahead and go through the irregular verbs you heard in this story. I'll read through a few new examples after each of them.

So what were the 10 irregular verbs? Did you catch some of them? Let's go through the key ones. Number one, to mean in the past is meant. This challenge meant she would be immersed in strong currents and surrounded by the world's most deadly creatures, including about 57 species of sharks. Let's go through some more examples. She meant to call you earlier but got busy with work.

The red light meant they had to stop. Number two, to sweep in the past is swept. At 28 years old, Diana was forced to abandon her swim after 42 hours as relentless currents and winds swept her off course. The wind swept the leaves across the yard. He swept the crumbs off the floor with a broom.

Number three, to sting in the past is stung. That same summer, she returned with Tylenol and a slightly altered stroke. But as she swam through the warm ocean water, a box jellyfish stung her. Let's go through some more. The harsh criticism stung more than she expected. An angry bee stung her on the arm.

Number four, to bear in the past is bore. For 24 agonizing hours, she bore the pain of those stings and then was stung again. He bore the responsibility of leading the team. She bore the pain of the injury without complaint. This episode is brought to you by MeUndies. Underwear drawers are like the Wild West. You never know what you're going to pull out or what shape it's in.

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I actually used both of them. On August 31st, under blue skies and calm waters, Diana leapt from the rocks at Hemingway Marina in Cuba. I could have also said leaped. Diana leaped from the rocks, but leaped, of course, is not irregular. So we're doing the irregular version, which to me is equally as common. Diana leapt from the rocks. She leapt into action when she heard the alarm.

The frog leapt from one lily pad to the next. Number six, to drink in the past is drank. Bonnie made sure Diana drank water and lots of electrolytes at regular intervals to stay hydrated. He drank his coffee quickly before heading to the meeting. They drank champagne to celebrate the occasion. Number seven, to feed in the past is fed.

Remember, we are talking about Bonnie. Bonnie made sure she drank and she also fed her solids. Let's go through some more examples. He fed the stray cat that came to their doorstep. The kids fed the ducks at the park with leftover bread. Number eight, to lose in the past is lost.

She fed her solids, too. Although in rough water, like on the second night, Diana felt seasick and lost her stomach. To lose your stomach is another way to say to throw up, to puke, to vomit. There are a lot of synonyms. She lost her keys and spent an hour searching for them. The team lost the game by just one point. Number nine.

To wear in the past is wore. To prevent getting stung by jellyfish, Diana wore a protective jellyfish suit and a mask that left only her lips exposed. She wore a beautiful dress to the wedding. He wore sunglasses to protect his eyes from the sun. 10. To hold in the past is held.

Diana once held the record for swimming around Manhattan Island in New York in 7 hours and 57 minutes. The mother held the baby in her arms until it fell asleep. The gentleman held the door open for the person behind him. There were many other irregular verbs in the story. Swim turns to swam. Feel turns to felt. Leave turns to left.

But once again, these were the key ones for this lesson. So it's quiz time. Fill in the blank with the correct past tense form. Are you ready? Number one. Her card ____ a lot because it showed she cares. What's the past tense of to mean meant? Her card meant a lot because it showed she cares. Number two.

She n-t the kitchen floor after dinner. What's the past tense of to sweep? Swept. She swept the kitchen floor after dinner. Number three. A bee n-t his hand while he was gardening. What's the past tense of to sting? Stung. A bee stung his hand while he was gardening. Number four.

The tree n fruit for the first time this season. What's the past tense of to bear? Bore. The tree bore fruit for the first time this season. Number five. The squirrel n from one branch to another. What's the past tense of to leap? Leaped or leapt? Leapt if you want to go with the irregular option.

The squirrel leapt from one branch to another. Number six, she ____ her water quickly after the strenuous workout. What's the past tense of to drink? Drink. She drank her water quickly after the strenuous workout. Number seven, the woman ____ track of time while reading a book. What's the past tense of to lose?

Lost. The woman lost track of time while reading a book. Number eight. We n't the baby a bottle of milk before bed. What's the past tense of to feed? Fed. We fed the baby a bottle of milk before bed. Number nine. The kids n't Halloween costumes to the pumpkin patch. What's the past tense of to wear? Wore.

The kids wore Halloween costumes to the pumpkin patch. Number 10. They n- hands as they walked along the beach. What's the past tense of to hold? Held. They held hands as they walked along the beach. Let's hear this story one last time.

In the late summer of 2013, Diana Nyad, an endurance swimmer, set out on an extraordinary journey across the open sea. Her goal was to swim 110 miles from Havana, Cuba to Key West, Florida, a feat no one had accomplished without a shark cage.

This challenge meant she would be immersed in strong currents and surrounded by the world's most deadly creatures, including about 57 species of sharks. Nobody believed she could do it. After all, she was 64 years old, and she'd tried four times before, starting in 1978. Each attempt had been hindered by a treacherous obstacle.

At 28 years old, Diana was forced to abandon her swim after 42 hours as relentless currents and winds swept her off course. Decades later, between 2011 and 2012, she made three more attempts.

each one more challenging than the last. In 2011, she endured excruciating shoulder pain and a severe asthma attack and was pulled out of the water after 29 hours. That same summer, she returned with Tylenol and a slightly altered stroke. But as she swam through the warm ocean water, a box jellyfish stung her.

its venom causing unbearable pain, swelling, and even temporary paralysis. For 24 agonizing hours, she bore the pain of those stings and then was stung again. After 42 hours in the water, it was clear her third attempt was over.

In 2012, she was ready to take on the challenge again. But the jellyfish returned with a vengeance. After nine stings and two vicious storms, even Diana's strongest supporters were in doubt. Was it worth chasing this pipe dream?

Diana was determined to find a way, and her first priority was enlisting a jellyfish expert, someone who could protect her from those debilitating stings.

At the time, her team consisted of a world-class navigator to map out currents along the Gulf Stream, a shark team to deploy an electronic shark shield and monitor the water for activity, and handlers to ensure her well-being. Having a jellyfish expert on board was a game-changer.

In the summer of 2013, at 64 years old, Diana felt stronger than ever. Yes, she'd been faster when she was younger, but now she was mentally in her prime. When a brief window of ideal weather appeared, her team of 40 acted. On August 31st, under blue skies and calm waters, Diana leapt from the rocks at Hemingway Marina in Cuba.

Next stop, Key West, over 100 miles away. This was her fifth attempt, so it wasn't her first rodeo. A boat called the Voyager and kayakers accompanied her. On deck stood Bonnie, her best friend and coach. She motivated her. 53 strokes per minute for nearly 53 hours.

Bonnie made sure Diana drank water and lots of electrolytes at regular intervals to stay hydrated. She fed her solids, too. Although in rough water, like on the second night, Diana felt seasick and lost her stomach. Unlike previous attempts, Diana was ready for the jellyfish this time. She wore a protective jellyfish suit and a mask that left only her lips exposed.

She then coated her lips with a magical cream called Sting No More. Jellyfish hated that cream.

After nearly 53 hours of swimming, bouts of seasickness, and extreme hallucinations, like seeing the Taj Mahal, Diana reached the shores of Key West, making her the first and only person to ever swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage. 110 miles.

Diana once held the record for swimming around Manhattan Island in New York in 7 hours and 57 minutes. She'd swum from the Bahamas to Florida before.

But on September 2nd, 2013, her dream came true. Her historic swim at 64 years old not only cemented her legacy as one of the greatest endurance swimmers of all time, but it's a reminder to never set limitations on ourselves. The impossible is possible if we don't give up.

There are three other things that I wanted to share before wrapping up this episode. The first is about criticism. So when somebody does something absolutely extraordinary, whether it's walking on the moon or swimming from Cuba to Florida, it makes skeptics out of the best of us.

How can one person do something that so many other people consider impossible? Let me first say that 44 people, including two independent observers, watched for those 53 hours and documented the journey with notes and a tracker.

The rules of open water swimming are simple. You can't get out of the water. You can't touch anybody or anything, including the boat, to help you float or have assistance moving forward.

So all of the 44 individuals involved swear that Diana followed the rules every stroke from Cuba to Florida. There were a lot of people involved. And actually, when Diana walked warily up Smathers Beach, all swollen on September 2nd, she said three things. The first being, we should never give up.

We're never too old to chase our dreams. And it looks like a solitary sport, but it takes a team. Just think about how many people had to be involved in order to make this happen. Another thing that I think is worth mentioning is preparation. So I read her memoir, Find a Way.

And she goes into a lot of detail about her training in there. And let's just say that preparing for this is 100% time consuming, which kind of makes sense why she had a long break between 1978 and 2011 when she started doing it again. She let her life happen in the meantime. She was a reporter, journalist. She traveled all around the world, met incredible people.

And then she picked up this dream of swimming from Cuba to Florida again. The point is, outside of the pool, Diana constantly worked on her core, her arms, and her legs. She did a lot of sit-ups. And as part of her training, she had to consume a lot of calories. She would eat 3,000 to 4,000 calories every three to four hours.

which is wild. At least as far as I'm aware, I think most of nutrition facts in the U.S. are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, and that's for a day. When Diana was a child, the Cuban Revolution took place. It lasted from 1953 about to 1959, and since then, Americans have not been allowed to travel to Cuba without obtaining permission from the government.

I think there's a misconception that with a U.S. passport, you can go everywhere, but that's definitely not true for Cuba. Regulations actually change from who's in office, like which president is in office. So, for example, when Obama was in office, travel restrictions became more relaxed, whereas when Trump is in office, it's more restricted.

In any case, while Diana was trying to do this, it was very restricted. So every single time Diana tried, she had to wait for months, not knowing if all of her 15-mile practice swims would lead to swimming that span of water between Cuba and Florida. So apart from obvious challenges like the weather and the sharks,

There's organizing a massive team and getting those visas. Naturally, I understand Diana's frustration when jellyfish led to her downfall twice. If I were in her shoes, I'd be like, are you kidding me? I prepared for all this and then jellyfish have to sting me? In any case, the one thing I didn't mention was that she also went to a prosthetist and

multiple times to develop a silicone mask that would feel okay while on and protect her. So Diana needed to practice putting that mask on, and it wasn't an easy task. She also had to practice training with it too. I mean, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that when you put on more gear, you're going to have more drag. You're going to be held back.

In short, her preparation was much more intense than just swimming laps in a pool. The third thing I wanted to talk about was open water swimming. So Diana Nyad's story really piqued my curiosity about open water swimming as a sport and

And it's actually a growing sport in the United States. There's an open water swimming community. And within it, one of the greatest achievements is called the Triple Crown, which involves completing three iconic marathon swims. The first is the English Channel Swim, so from England to France.

It's 21 miles, or 34 kilometers, between Dover, England and Calais, France. And it's one of the most iconic and, for many, the most historically significant open water swims in the world. Swimmers need to contend with cold water,

Averaging 59 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit, strong tidal currents and busy shipping lanes, Captain Matthew Webb completed the first swim across the Channel in 1875. So that is the first in the Triple Crown. If you are interested in learning about the English Channel swim, I have to mention the movie Young Woman and the Sea. It's a Disney film.

This week, my daughters and I watched it. They're four and five years old. They paid attention the whole time. We really enjoyed it. It's biographical. So the story is about Gertrude Ederle from New York City, who was the first woman to swim across the English Channel. She beat the male record by two hours.

And if you are an open water swimmer and you're listening to this, you can actually do a swim that exists every year in her honor from Battery Park in New York City to Sandy Hook, New Jersey. It's called the Ederle-Burke Swim, and it's 16.1 miles. So definitely worth checking out. Once again, the English Channel is the first of the Triple Crown.

Then we have the Catalina Channel. So, of course, Catalina Islands are off the coast of California, sort of off the coast of Los Angeles. The distance is similar to the English Channel swim, but presents unique challenges like water temperature. So it can be anywhere from 55 to 70 degrees.

strong currents, and encounters with marine life, like dolphins and jellyfish. George Young was the first to complete this swim in 1927. Then there's the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim. I mentioned that Diana held the record for this one. This swim is 28.5 miles, circumnavigating Manhattan Island in New York City.

So swimmers go through the Hudson, the East, and Harlem rivers with fluctuating water temperatures and tidal currents and boat traffic. And it's longer than the Catalina and English Channel swims. But the tides sort of help swimmers with that distance.

So what's unique about this one is that you will have an urban experience. You get to pass the Statue of Liberty while swimming. You'll see the Manhattan skyline. Robert Dowling first swam around Manhattan Island in 1915. So once again, that was the English Channel, Catalina Channel, and Manhattan Island Marathon Swim that make up the Triple Crown.

As of right now, fewer than 300 individuals in the world have gotten the Triple Crown, which is an indicator of a swimmer's stamina and their ability to cope in various challenging environments.

In any case, I felt inspired all week. I've been watching so many movies and interviews and things, and this world of open water swimming is still new to me. It's been a real pleasure to learn about, especially all of the daring individuals who take on such intense challenges. Even when they encounter difficulty, most of them keep their heads above water. In other words, they cope. They endure.

I've talked a lot today, but I encourage you to keep learning. If you have 10 minutes, watch my favorite of Diana's TED Talks. It's called Never Ever Give Up. You can find it on YouTube. I'll also post the link in the episode notes.

Then after you're done watching that, check out the original Netflix film Nyad. I told her story today and that film is a visual representation of what you just heard. So I think it will help you remember this story.

Remember, if you want to support this podcast, you can share it with friends, leave a review, or sign up to premium content to learn more with each episode. All of the bonus material, so all of that premium content, you can find at AmericanEnglishPodcast.com. Enjoy the rest of your day. Bye.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the American English Podcast. Remember, it's my goal here to not only help you improve your listening comprehension, but to show you how to speak like someone from the States. If you want to receive the full transcript for this episode, or you just want to support this podcast, make sure to sign up to premium content on AmericanEnglishPodcast.com. Thanks and hope to see you soon.

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