The (Not So) Solo Swim: What a 20km Ocean Crossing Taught Me About Business

Last month, I completed one of the hardest physical and mental challenges of my life: the Rottnest Channel Swim, a 20km solo swim across open ocean from Cottesloe Beach to Rottnest Island.

It delivered all the feels! 

The week before the swim, the talk of the town is the weather, wind direction, swell etc and the forecast was right! The swell was up, the wind was strong, and the ocean was gnarly – and that’s in addition to the expected cold water, strong currents and relentless hours in the ocean. I’d trained for months and I was always going to give it my best shot, and I knew I had the right crew and people around me to keep focused and excited.

Because despite the name, a “solo” swim is anything but solo.

It took a huge team of people to get me across that finish line:

 🚤 A skipper to navigate and keep me safe

 🛶 Two paddlers to guide, direct, feed and motivate me

 🥣 Onboard crew who kept me motivated and monitored my health for any signs of hyperthermia and SIPE

 🧴 Friends at the start to cover me in sunscreen, zinc and wool fat (glamorous!)

 ⏰ Another friend who picked me up at 4am to take me to the start line

 💆‍♀️ Two physios, a chiro, a coach, a nutritionist

 💪 A new gym and swim squad

 💛 And of course, my fiancé Warren, who endured many pre dawn alarms and was my biggest supporter through a long and tiresome training schedule 

It took five months of training, early mornings, endless laps in the pool, hours in the ocean, and the unwavering support of a village.

The crossing took me 7hours and 34 minutes, thats a lot of time to think and it got me thinking about my business – Revise Recruitment.

From the outside, people often see a “solo founder” or boutique agency. But behind every great brand or big milestone, there’s a crew behind the scenes making it all possible.

At Revise Recruitment, that team includes:

🙌 Mentors who push me to think bigger

📊 Kaye, keeping the books balanced

🧠 Diana, managing operations and the chaos of day-to-day

📣 Maisie, helping shape the voice of Revise and our content

📚 APSCo and RCSA providing industry guidance, connection and community

🤝 And a whole network of clients, candidates, associations, and fellow recruiters who trust and support us

Just like in the ocean, some days in business are calm. Others feel like swimming against the current. But I’m constantly reminded: you don’t get far on your own.

Whether you’re chasing a personal goal or growing a purpose-led business – surround yourself with good people. People who challenge you, back you, guide you, and cheer you on from the sidelines.

Because big goals need big teams.

To everyone who’s been part of my swim journey – and the Revise journey – thank you. I couldn’t do it without you. 💙