It’s no secret that this year has been more challenging than the first two I had spent abroad. But when everything happens in so many small, unconnected incidences, it’s quite confronting when someone forces you to look back at the challenges you’ve faced. I always try to be positive and move forward – always looking […]
Year: 2016
Adjusting to Berlin
There should be no surprises when I say that moving back into the Western World was not without a little reverse culture shock. It has, however, surprised me by the things that have taken some adjusting to and the things I am really enjoying! Drinking tap water should have been the greatest thing in the […]
Waking up and realising you’ve become a BJJ girl
I always liked to dabble in jiu jitsu. It has often been a welcome break from my striking training, and a large number of my friends back home are grapplers, so it was a great way to spend time with them and have a little fun in between fights. (pajamas and cuddles! I mean, c’mon!) […]
Gravity Float
For the longest time I was watching my friends (particularly in America and Australia) post about their gravity float or sensory deprivation sessions. I knew a little about it from listening to a Joe Rogan podcast but had resigned to the fact that probably would not have access to, living in Thailand. We lucked out here in […]
Common mistakes and misconceptions
Phuket has become an increasingly popular training destination. Not only for Muay Thai fighters but for health and fitness addicts, and people wanting to improve their general health in some way. It’s actually a great deal. You can come and train, eat well, and soak up the wonderful island atmosphere, all at a fraction of what […]
The new kid on the block
In my experience, especially with grappling and MMA, every gym has a different style and program. Most of what I know I have learnt through tips from other people or from watching fights on TV. When everyone is on the same program it puts you on par with other students. This recent change in gyms […]
Saying farewell to Thailand
Recently I made the decision to leave Phuket and move to Berlin. I’ve received an overwhelming number of messages that I have not had the time to reply to yet but I am very grateful to everyone for their well wishes and support. Leaving the land of Muay Thai was not a decision that was made lightly. […]
The new kid on the block
In my experience, especially with grappling and MMA, every gym has a different style and program. Most of what I know I have learnt through tips from other people or from watching fights on TV. When everyone is on the same program it puts you on par with other students. This recent change in gyms […]
Common mistakes and misconceptions
Phuket has become an increasingly popular training destination. Not only for Muay Thai fighters but for health and fitness addicts, and people wanting to improve their general health in some way. It’s actually a great deal. You can come and train, eat well, and soak up the wonderful island atmosphere, all at a fraction of what […]
Gravity Float
For the longest time I was watching my friends (particularly in America and Australia) post about their gravity float or sensory deprivation sessions. I knew a little about it from listening to a Joe Rogan podcast but had resigned to the fact that probably would not have access to, living in Thailand. We lucked out here in […]
Waking up and realising you’ve become a BJJ girl
I always liked to dabble in jiu jitsu. It has often been a welcome break from my striking training, and a large number of my friends back home are grapplers, so it was a great way to spend time with them and have a little fun in between fights. (pajamas and cuddles! I mean, c’mon!) […]
Saying farewell to Thailand
Recently I made the decision to leave Phuket and move to Berlin. I’ve received an overwhelming number of messages that I have not had the time to reply to yet but I am very grateful to everyone for their well wishes and support. Leaving the land of Muay Thai was not a decision that was made lightly. […]
Featured in “The Andovers” Magazine
The Andovers: towns located in the North Shore of MA, which have a very rich history and legacy dating back to 1642. In addition to the historical landmarks, it is home to thriving multi-generation businesses and is concentrated with top and elite prep schools in the nation. My family has been lucky to call this area […]
Smithie Mission Accomplished
To me it’s funny… you can spend hundreds of thousands of hours, millions of miles, and years of thinking about a goal, but in the end, it comes down to the 39, 11 or 9 hours that you are gritting it out in the inferno…can you get it done when its time to do your […]
The Third Smithie in the 2016 Marathon Swimming FEMPIRE starts Sunday!
With the Catalina Channel checked off for Abby Bergman (making her “officially” a marathon swimmer and crazy person), and the seven stages of the beautifully grueling 8 Bridges checked (for me, Paige)… we now have the third mama in our 2016 Marathon Swimming Fempire, Smith teammate, Eliza Cummings, going for her first marathon swim: Plymouth […]
Catalina Abby aka #CatalinAbby
My friend, Smith College teammate, and “self appointed sister”, Abby Bergman’s Catalina Channel attempt is this Sunday, July 24th overnight to July 25th. I have had the great pleasure of working with her there past few months as she has been preparing, training, and (soon to be) attempting this great feat. When I asked Abby […]
Fascial Stretch Therapy: A Recovery Technique!
During my training for 8 Bridges Hudson River Swim (120-mile Marathon Swim over 7 days), I incorporated Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST) into my recovery techniques. I was able to work with both Judy Malcolm before the event, and Meaghan Murphy (who recommended the practice to me) during the event. I had never done FST prior […]
8 Bridges Recap
I have said before that swimming 8 Bridges was a transformative experience. That’s not a term I use lightly, and I use it because this experience has taught me so much about limits, trust, your support system, and the greatness that can happen when individuals work together to do accomplish goals. There are a […]
To The Race Directors, Rondi and David
I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to the dedicated, passionate, and brilliant race directors, Rondi Davies and David Barra. Both are incredibly decorated marathon swimmers themselves who have created an event that over the last 6 years has raised awareness for the beautiful and swimmable resource we have in the U.S.A spanning over […]
Margrethe, Queen of the Hudson
Alongside every swimmer at 8 Bridges, is an incredibly dedicated kayaker. I don’t know how I hit the mega millions jackpot by being assigned to Margrethe, but all I can say is that I couldn’t have done the swim without her. At the top of my list of reasons why I succeeded, is her name. […]
The awkward and slow transition to MMA
I am a Muay Thai girl. It will always be my first love and something I will always have a passion for. What most people don’t know about me is that I have had a keen interest in MMA for years. Long before I moved to Thailand, at the time where men like Rich Franklin and Forrest Griffin […]
June 30th=Rest Day
Hello friends! 4 days down 3 to go!!! Logging in about 66.3 miles in the Hudson River thus far! Tomorrow, June 30th is a rest day, but I will be back on Friday for Stage 5! (I am so excited because one of my favorite people/twin, incredibly decorated marathon swimmer, inspiration, and Smithie 2020, Charlotte […]
Track My Progress
TOMORROW: STAGE 1: SPLASH TIME 8:20-8:42 I wanted to make sure you all have the available tracker link so you can see the day-to-day progress as I make my way down the 120 miles of the Hudson River! You can access the tracker at the link below (it will show all the swimmers in the […]
Final Preparations
As we round the final 3 days before GO TIME, final preparations have been put in place. -Checking the weather and water temps for the 7-days of the swim -Figuring out logistics- where to meet for the start, where to meet for the finish -Solidifying my week nutritional plan (what works for breakfast, pre swim, […]
