#268 Cooper Cheshire — Losing an Uncle to Suicide, Swimming Until He Landed in Hospital & Why He's Using Sport to Fight for Mental Health

⚠️ Content Warning

This episode contains open discussions about suicide and the loss of a family member. Please take care of yourself first. If you're not in the right headspace, come back to this one when you're ready.

If you need support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (available 24/7) or visit lifeline.org.au

This week I sat down with Cooper Cheshire, and this one hit close to home.

Cooper is the youngest person ever to finish the Geo Bay Swim solo, a Rottnest 25km Ultra solo finisher and the Under 18 Open Water Swimming WA State Champion. But what stood out most was how open and grounded he is for someone his age.

Cooper and I share something we don't get to talk about often. We have both lost an uncle to suicide. We spoke about how that loss shaped him, why he is using sport to raise money for mental health, and what it really takes to chase big goals as a young athlete, including the swim that landed him in hospital.

This one is for anyone who has ever used movement to process something they couldn't put into words.

In this episode we cover:

Losing an uncle to suicide and how it shaped himHis long distance swimming journey and big dreamsThe swim that landed him in hospitalRaising money for mental health through sportThe mindset it takes to be a young athlete chasing big goals

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