12. Lottie James - Journey from Competitive Swimmer to Inspiring Coach

For the Love of Swimming

Welcome to this episode of our podcast diving into the fascinating swimming community on the Isle of Wight. We talk to Charlotte 'Lottie' James who shares her journey from being a competitive swimmer to a motivational coach. Tune in as Lottie recounts her inspiring aquatic journey that held its inception in therapy and eventually led her to a scholarship at Bournemouth.

Learn about Lottie’s transition into coaching, a domain where she uses her experiences to inspire others. Discover why, despite moving away from competitive swimming, her love for the sport remains untouched. Now, she dedicates herself to helping others swim and uncover its therapeutic benefits, emphasizing the importance of hydration and nutrition for swimmers.

Lottie also shares her deep-seated interest in other forms of fitness and how she achieves balance. While she reminisces the intensity of her competitive swimming days, she rejoices in the opportunity to facilitate others' journeys in the swimming community.

In this episode, our guest provides a deep dive into the world of swimming, weaving stories of her achievements, her fears, and her ever-growing love for the sport. She narrates her unexpected transition from pool to sea swimming, detailing her initial apprehension and the gradual immersion that made her embrace open water swimming.

Find out about her aspirations to participate in the Solent swim again, her plans to dedicate more time to coaching and masters' competitions, and her unwavering resolution to help others realize their swimming ambitions. The episode wraps up with a personal insight into her life at the beach, her renewed joy in open water swimming, and her favourite swim spots on the island.

A cherished part of the swimming community, Lottie's story serves as a beacon of inspiration, underscoring the joy and therapeutic implications of swimming. Her love for the sport and her dedication to helping others excel is bound to motivate listeners to face their fears, accept challenges, and find new ways to relish the sport of swimming.