The Motive

Hello, I’m Rachael!

I am a PE teacher and an open water swimming coach. My mission is to encourage others to step outside their comfort zone after experiencing a traumatic event and help them move forward in life.

In 2017 at the age of 24, I almost lost my life in the sea after being hit by a reckless speedboat driver in Cyprus. I was left with life-changing injuries both physically and mentally. I decided to take on a challenge to gain back some of the confidence I had lost, feel more in control of my life and to overcome a trauma which consumed me for years.

In September 2024 I completed a 17 km solo swim across the Firth of Forth from Elie to North Berwick. I was supported by Forth Logistics with a boat and crew alongside my support team. I raised £18k for a special charity called Climbing Out. Through my social media I made a point of raising awareness of living and swimming with an invisible disability, for me this was living with a stoma bag. I want to help breakdown stigmas and fears around living life to the full with one. This experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me set new life ambitions.

I underwent stoma reversal surgery in 2025, eight years after being told I would likely have it for life. Through this second recovery period, I started to create the idea of ‘We Swim Relays’. An initiative to bring people together to experience something adventurous and out of their comfort zone with the support of a team around them.

Do you want to swim a relay?!