Letter 21 - Why Did She Retire at 17?
Hello Bregdan Woman,
You’ve got Suess today…
As of May 19, 2024, I (Suess) am 61 years old. I have not retired. Oh, I’ve changed jobs, reinvented my profession, and lost interest in hobbies- but not retired.
This is important for today’s letter!
Who is this day’s Bregdan Woman?
Is she an Australian legend in the swimming pool?
Is she the oldest competitor in Australian Survivor?
Is she sporting royalty?
Is she one of the world's greatest female swimmers?
Did she retire at age 17?
Stop and listen – can you hear what she heard and felt?
The air, humid. The audience, silent. The judges, attentive. The competitors poised, tight, and fingers shaking as they ready on the start block.
"On your marks!" The loudspeaker boomed throughout the pool arena, breaking the spell of waiting to begin.
"Get set!"
Bang! exploded the start gun over the swimmer's ears.
Microseconds later, the competitors hit the water splashing –fighting their way toward the end of the pool. A few tense moments later, the declared winner was Shane Gould. The crowd, wild with excitement, jumped to their feet; their voices chanting in unison ‘Shane, Shane, Shane!.’ Congratulating her for another world record. Shane would repeat this activity with the same world record winning outcome, 11 times.
Between the ages of 14 and 17, Shane splashed her way into the record books:
· the only person male or female at that time to hold every freestyle record from 100 m to 1500 m simultaneously.
· the first female swimmer to win FIVE Olympic medals in the 1972 games.
· set world records in all five freestyle distances:
100 meters
200 meters
400 meters
800 meters
1,500 meters
At the top of her game, a master of the water, I believe Shane was wise to alter her course …
” I stopped swimming because I realized there are so many other things in the world to explore; like philosophy, religion and environmentalism. They’re all fascinating and you can’t give yourself to them if you are training and competing all the time. It’s as simple as that.”
She retired at age 17 and lived her life privately.
She never intended to return to the public eye…
Her life between ages 17 and 39, was spent developing a farm, living sustainably, teaching horseback riding, teaching surfing, raising children, investing in her community, and embellishing her love of the coast with her deep connection to water. She shunned the sports spotlight and the accompanying media. For those years, she lived in the shadows, content to commune with family and nature on her terms.
As all Bregdan women long to do - she lived life on her own terms.
She studied as she farmed and as she swam-- with excellence and integrity. She obtained two master’s degrees and then a PhD from Victoria University in Melbourne.
‘Doctor Gould’ maintains a strong belief that daily experiences with nature are crucial for human development and human wellbeing — a belief she continues to exhibit daily with morning swims summer AND winter!
Talented and gifted, with a generous spirit alongside an open heart, Shane felt the call to share her expertise and knowledge. Hidden deep inside, she knew she needed to share her life's experiences, her water wisdom, and her techniques.
Amidst much soul-searching, Shane re-emerged into the public eye, determined to facilitate other athlete’s ability to avoid the conflicts and uncertainties she had experienced as a young swimming superstar.
Shane never quit.
She let her heart dictate her life choices – whether on her farm, her community or her swimming pool, AND as a successful businesswoman, author, keynote speaker and swimming commentator.
Since returning to the public eye, Shane:
· wrote her autobiography – “Tumble Turns”
· researched swimming safety, teaching, and training methods
· started the Shane Gould Swimming Foundation . . . "to provide the life skills of swimming, water safety and water awareness, to disadvantaged people and people who cannot swim. . ."
· was designated a Living National Treasure by her home country of Australia
· wrote another book: “Fit for 50”
· developed her creative art in underwater photography to such an advanced degree that she has permanent exhibit of her images in Fort Myers, Florida
We LOVE this next fact…
Shane, as the oldest competitor on Sole Survivor of Australian Survivor: Champions v Contenders (2018), WON that 2018 competition AND also returned in 2019 to compete on Australian Survivor: All Stars.
While Shane may be most noted for her athleticism, visionary perspective, and compassion - her greatest ability - to inspire others to do their best is what makes her a Bregdan Woman!!
That hasn’t changed. Her life these days in 2024 – at age 67 does not include sitting around watching things happen.
Shane is far from finished! She understands that as long as she is still breathing, she still has purpose.
We hope you remember Shane as you answer these questions today:
What about your desires?
Are you out there making a splash in life and making things happen for yourself and/or for others?
Have you “retired” early?
Are you covering a craving to return to a first love?
Do you believe you are too old to uncover those early interests?
We hope you allow your passions to flow out from the shadowlands as Shane did. The world needs your unique talents.
The women of the world are searching for Bregdan Women to bestow courage, impart knowledge, communicate insight, and create motivation.
What will you do today to impact history??
We’re on this journey with you…
Ginny & Sues
Great story!❤️