RAWW Podcast

We sit down with Christine, an Australian ultra-marathon swimmer whose path runs from riverbanks to ocean lines along Sydney’s northern beaches and now onward to the English Channel in August 2026 . She opens up about discovering open water as a sanctuary during a melanoma journey. Choosing presence over pressure—threads through every challenge she takes on. Christine’s life blends purpose and per...

We pick up Aerin's English Channel story in part 2 of RAWW Podcast. It’s a look into Aerin's English Channel experience: weather windows, pilot priority lists, unpredictable weather, and the mental math of safety over ego.  Erin walks us through the logistics of an early start, the calm chaos of prepping feeds and gear, and the moment twelve hours in when a brutal current demanded four m...

Start with the water, and everything changes. That’s the through line of our latest solo session, where I share how living with ulcerative colitis reshaped my training, my coaching, and the way I build community around big, heart-led goals. From the confusion of early symptoms to finally finding a doctor who listened, I walk through the choices that brought remission, like refusing medications tha...

What keeps a swimmer moving when the shore won’t get closer? We sit down with endurance swimmer Aerin Bowers to chart the raw, funny, and fiercely honest path from a weather-canceled dream in (2024) Dover to a 2025 English Channel crossing powered by grit, smart training, and a crew that knew exactly how to support this journey. You’ll feel the pace of a night start—the rush to kit up, the fear of...

What does it look like to walk back into a sport you loved when you were a young woman or girl—and discover it loves you back? We sit down with twin sisters (Nadia Pedley and Sarah Pedley) who left swimming for two decades, then found their way to masters lanes, open water starts, and a community that cheered them from first shaky blocks to 4.5K open water swim. Their story blends nostalgia and ne...

I return after a thoughtful pause with a clear vision: share short solo wisdom from the water, bring in global RAWW (rad, active, water women). From a 10K turquoise lake swim to a renewed coaching mission, I map the next chapter and invite you to make a splash with me! • why the pause and what changes • highlights from a year of training and a 10K open water swim • intention-led swim squad and tec...

This episode focuses on the transformative power of swimming and inclusivity within artistic swimming communities. Steph from Hideous Swim shares personal stories, the importance of creating safe spaces in aquatic environments, and how swimming can empower individuals of all abilities to connect and thrive. • Exploring how swimming serves as a form of living meditation  • Personal reflections on b...

What if swimming could be the key to unlocking your confidence and embracing your true self? Join us for a refreshing journey with Sarah Pedley (She/Her), an exceptional athlete and coach from British Columbia, as she reveals how her love for water sports has shaped her life and the lives of the women she coaches.  As a head coach at Be Strong Training , she guides women through different life sta...

Robyn's journey through the world of swimming is nothing short of inspiring. Once a "water baby," Robyn faced the challenge of a pediatric stroke at age 12. Her story unfolds in this episode, where she shares how the water has been both a healing force and a source of empowerment. As a competitive swimmer and coach, Robyn reflects on her evolution and how swimming has been a pivotal...

What happens when a national swimmer from Colombia channels her passion for the water into creating a sustainable swimwear brand? Meet Pam Montoya, from Rise Swimsuits, who joins us to share her inspiring story from swimming championships to entrepreneurship. Alongside her partners Louisa and Esteban, Pam has crafted a brand that stands for beauty, eco-friendliness, and more. Listen as we discuss...

Have you ever experienced the pure exhilaration of cold water swimming amidst breathtaking mountain views? Join us on Raw Podcast as we welcome Yaz, a talented artist from the UK who recently made Canada her new home. Yaz takes us through her fascinating journey from the South Coast of England to the majestic landscapes of Canada, revealing how her lifelong love for water has profoundly influenced...

Have you ever felt the embrace of the ocean and found yourself laughing amidst the waves? Meet Becca, a spirited outdoor swim guide whose love for the water is as boundless as the sea itself. On our show, she brings to life the joy and comical relief that water can provide, even in the aftermath of life's harshest storms. Through her story of surviving a car accident, Becca illustrates the pr...

Step off the shore with us and plunge into a conversation with Kayleigh, Cornwall's ocean whisperer and advocate for the ocean. Through her lens, the cold British seas become a theatre of dreams, where diving without tanks is not just an activity, but a dance with the water. We unravel the magic of the UK's underwater. Her tales offer a fresh perspective on the serenity and liberation th...

As the chill of open waters beckons, St eph Ramsay (she/they) , the inspiring co-founder of the Hideous Swim Society , joins us to talk a bit about ice swims and their unexpected delights. Our conversation, steeped in the biting embrace of waters below five degrees Celsius, unveils Steph's t ransformative journey from a tentative swimmer to a powerhouse who finds solace and strength in the ha...

We're joined by the extraordinary Sophie Etheridge from the UK , who's not only an open-water swimmer but a disability advocate. With a vision that transcends the mere act of swimming, she's dedicated to advocating within the aquatic world, where every individual, regardless of their abilities, can plunge into their passion for swimming. Our conversation navigates through her profou...

Laura Heininger, founder of Tofino Breath and Meditation, graces our podcast with her love for water, and surfing. Laura unveils how the amalgamation of breathwork and the thrill of surfing have enhanced her physical prowess and her mental equilibrium. Our discussion with Laura sails through the significance of water in shaping our self-awareness and the profound camaraderie within the aquatic com...

Welcome to RAWW (Rad Active Waterwomen) Podcast! Have you ever listened to the ocean's call or any body of water, and felt an irresistible pull toward its waves, or the solitude of water that brings healing, and joy? That's a sensation known to every guest on our Raw Podcast, now rebranded to celebrate Rad, Active Waterwomen across the globe. I'm Sarah Freeman, your avid swimmer and...

The salty breeze of an Australian shore whispered to me that there are stories that need to be told, by waterwomen worldwide. Waterwomen have a special relationship with water, and they have many stories to share from in, and out of the water.  As your host, I've taken that inspiration to heart. I'm excited to navigate this new chapter of our podcast, now celebrating the 'waterwomen...

Ever wondered what it takes to run your own wellness business coupled with an insatiable love for nature and trail running? Well, meet Anastasia, a Life Design Coach whose story connects her curiosity to who she is today. With a zest for connecting with people and her infectious love for adventure, she gives us a peek into her exhilarating life, from river plunges to sunrise hikes and the autonomy...

Hold onto your fins , as we embark on a captivating journey with Shammy, the ingenious creator of Mountain Mermaid . What happens when a woman's love for water and mountains converge? You get a brand that is unique and enchanting. Trace the origins of Mountain Mermaid and discover how Shammy's humble beginnings in New Hampshire ignited her passions and the birth of a brand deeply embrace...

Welcome to RAW Podcast, I am looking forward to sharing all of the stories from incredible women across the world this season! "Please note there may be trigger points in this episode." Get ready to be amazed by the incredible journey of Chantilly Foreman, she is the founder of Apothic Woman . Chantilly bravley shares some of her life story, from being an unwanted child and navigating th...

In this episode of RAW Podcast, I sit down with Jennifer Schmidt Mental Health Coach for Endurance Athletes. Dive into this fantastic podcast with Jennifer and learn about Mental Health with Endurance Athletes. Sharing this quote from Jennifer's website, we do  dive into what Jennifer is saying in the below quote: "I was taught that exercise was the best anti-depressant out there. But if...

Hello, rad active, women and beyond!  RAW (rad, active, women) Collective Podcast is hosted by Sarah Freeman, Andria Lauren, and Kristy Wolfe to create a collective, raw, unfiltered monthly conversation with YOU!  We launched our first episode of RAW Collective Podcast one year ago on March 8, 2022, live at Alberta's Own in Canmore, AB. 1x per month RAW Collective Podcast will be LIVE at a ne...

In this episode of RAW Podcast, I sit down with Barbara Hernandez Chilean Ice Mermaid! Dive into this amazing podcast with Barbara and learn about her incredible swimming journey, how important family is to her, how she moves through the cold waters, and SO much more! She has a beautiful soul and uses this in her swimming to push through tough moments "My heart is fire" an affirmation sh...

Hello, rad active, women and beyond!  RAW (rad, active, women) Collective Podcast is hosted by Sarah Freeman, Andria Lauren, and Kristy Wolfe to create a collective, raw, unfiltered monthly conversation with YOU!  We launched our first episode of RAW Collective Podcast one year ago on March 8, 2022, live at Alberta's Own in Canmore, AB. 1x per month RAW Collective Podcast will be LIVE at a ne...