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Achieving the Impossible: A Fearless Leader. A Fragile Earth.
Have you ever taken a cold shower, a really cold shower, on a very cold day? Did you first put your arms under the spray of water, followed by your legs before easing your torso into the pain and then, finally, with what seemed like the hardest thing you’d ever done, move your head into the line of freezing-cold fire? The temperature of that water was probably between ten or eleven degrees.
At a little after midnight on July 15, 2007, Lewis Gordon Pugh stood on the edge of the sea ice at the North Pole. It was the fifteenth anniversary of his father’s death and he was wearing just a Speedo swimsuit, the old-fashioned one that barely covers all that needs to be covered. Air temperature at the North Pole that night was below zero, the water into which he was about to plunge was minus 1.7 although this was no in-and-out dip into the world’s coldest water. Pugh was about to swim one kilometre across the North Pole and the thought did cross his mind that he might die.
If you had been alongside Professor Tim Noakes who stood in a small Zodiac boat supervising Pugh’s swim, you would have seen something truly startling. One of the world’s most eminent exercise physiologists, Noakes was looking at a computer screen hooked up to a thermometer on the swimmer’s body. What the screen told the scientist was in the minutes before the swim was to commence, Pugh’s core body temperature was rising significantly.
More or less naked, standing on ice in freezing temperatures at the North Pole and yet his body was heating up. Is it any wonder they called him ‘The Human Polar Bear?’ Noakes, who had never encountered this phenomenon before working with Pugh, came up with a scientific term for it, ‘anticipatory thermogenesis.’ Without it, Pugh wouldn’t have stood a chance of swimming a kilometre in those Arctic waters. With it, he was still dicing with death.
What scared him was the depth of the water, he would sink over four kilometres before reaching the bottom. Drowning was a possibility because hypothermia creeps up on the cold-water swimmer, pressing on his respiratory channels, denying muscles oxygen, until there is no power to fight, limbs go limp, swimmer disappears. Pugh would do the swim without harness or rope and if it went wrong, his body would not be recovered.
Why was he prepared to do it?
That is a remarkable story and, ironically, extraordinary testimony to one man’s belief in life. Yes Lewis Pugh wants to help protect the most wonderful places on the planet, yes he wants us to reverse the damage we have done to our environment and yes he has given up everything to dedicate his life to this purpose. And it is not like he feels he is wasting his time.
Lewis Pugh spent the first ten years of his life in England, the next 17 in South Africa, and since then has lived in both countries, not forgetting great times spent in Norway. He is a maritime lawyer by training and a pursuer of dreams by inclination. There wasn’t an ocean or a sea that he didn’t want to swim, nor a mountain he didn’t want to climb and it was no surprise to him when he quit his well-paid lawyer’s job in the City of London for a life more interesting.
He spent five years in the British SAS, devoted his free time to preparing for and swimming in the world’s most hostile places; the North Cape, the Antarctic, the North Pole and developed an understanding of the beauty, the preciousness and fragility of life and its many eco-systems. Driven by nothing more than deep belief, he has achieved things most would regard as impossible. He doesn’t tell us what we must do but shows shows what can be done.
At a little after midnight on July 15, 2007, Lewis Gordon Pugh stood on the edge of the sea ice at the North Pole. It was the fifteenth anniversary of his father’s death and he was wearing just a Speedo swimsuit, the old-fashioned one that barely covers all that needs to be covered. Air temperature at the North Pole that night was below zero, the water into which he was about to plunge was minus 1.7 although this was no in-and-out dip into the world’s coldest water. Pugh was about to swim one kilometre across the North Pole and the thought did cross his mind that he might die.
If you had been alongside Professor Tim Noakes who stood in a small Zodiac boat supervising Pugh’s swim, you would have seen something truly startling. One of the world’s most eminent exercise physiologists, Noakes was looking at a computer screen hooked up to a thermometer on the swimmer’s body. What the screen told the scientist was in the minutes before the swim was to commence, Pugh’s core body temperature was rising significantly.
More or less naked, standing on ice in freezing temperatures at the North Pole and yet his body was heating up. Is it any wonder they called him ‘The Human Polar Bear?’ Noakes, who had never encountered this phenomenon before working with Pugh, came up with a scientific term for it, ‘anticipatory thermogenesis.’ Without it, Pugh wouldn’t have stood a chance of swimming a kilometre in those Arctic waters. With it, he was still dicing with death.
What scared him was the depth of the water, he would sink over four kilometres before reaching the bottom. Drowning was a possibility because hypothermia creeps up on the cold-water swimmer, pressing on his respiratory channels, denying muscles oxygen, until there is no power to fight, limbs go limp, swimmer disappears. Pugh would do the swim without harness or rope and if it went wrong, his body would not be recovered.
Why was he prepared to do it?
That is a remarkable story and, ironically, extraordinary testimony to one man’s belief in life. Yes Lewis Pugh wants to help protect the most wonderful places on the planet, yes he wants us to reverse the damage we have done to our environment and yes he has given up everything to dedicate his life to this purpose. And it is not like he feels he is wasting his time.
Lewis Pugh spent the first ten years of his life in England, the next 17 in South Africa, and since then has lived in both countries, not forgetting great times spent in Norway. He is a maritime lawyer by training and a pursuer of dreams by inclination. There wasn’t an ocean or a sea that he didn’t want to swim, nor a mountain he didn’t want to climb and it was no surprise to him when he quit his well-paid lawyer’s job in the City of London for a life more interesting.
He spent five years in the British SAS, devoted his free time to preparing for and swimming in the world’s most hostile places; the North Cape, the Antarctic, the North Pole and developed an understanding of the beauty, the preciousness and fragility of life and its many eco-systems. Driven by nothing more than deep belief, he has achieved things most would regard as impossible. He doesn’t tell us what we must do but shows shows what can be done.
- GenresNonfictionBiography
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
15 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Lewis Pugh
3 books7 followersLewis Pugh goes to extremes. As an ocean advocate and pioneer swimmer he's been to the world's most inaccessible places. He's put his body through unimaginably difficult conditions, harnessed the energy that comes from overcoming extraordinary odds, and turned it into fuel for his motivational fire.
Lewis read law at the University of Cape Town and University of Cambridge before working as a maritime lawyer in London for a number of years. In 2003, he left to follow his dream: to protect our oceans.
He is the only person to have completed a long distance swim in every ocean of the world. In 2007 he became the first to undertake a swim across the icy waters of the North Pole. In 2010 he swam across a glacial lake on Mt Everest to draw attention to the melting glaciers in the Himalayas.
To date he has pioneered more swims around famous landmarks than any other swimmer in history. His mission: to raise awareness about the vulnerability of our oceans and their importance to humanity.
Lewis's vivid storytelling style makes him a popular public speaker. His leadership address at the Business Innovation Forum was voted one of the “7 Most Inspiring Videos on the Web”. Many millions of people have viewed his TED talks, and countless others followed him on BBC, Good Morning America, CNN, Jon Stewart, National Geographic, Sky News, Al Jazeera, Jay Leno and more. His autobiography “Achieving the Impossible” is a Bestseller and was chosen for Oprah’s Exclusive Book List.
His awards include France and South Africa’s highest honours, as well as the Freedom of the City of London. In 2010, the World Economic Forum named him a Young Global Leader for his “potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world through inspiring leadership.”
Lewis is currently training in Cape Town for a major expedition to highlight the plight of the world’s oceans. Follow his preparations at http://www.lewispugh.com.
Lewis read law at the University of Cape Town and University of Cambridge before working as a maritime lawyer in London for a number of years. In 2003, he left to follow his dream: to protect our oceans.
He is the only person to have completed a long distance swim in every ocean of the world. In 2007 he became the first to undertake a swim across the icy waters of the North Pole. In 2010 he swam across a glacial lake on Mt Everest to draw attention to the melting glaciers in the Himalayas.
To date he has pioneered more swims around famous landmarks than any other swimmer in history. His mission: to raise awareness about the vulnerability of our oceans and their importance to humanity.
Lewis's vivid storytelling style makes him a popular public speaker. His leadership address at the Business Innovation Forum was voted one of the “7 Most Inspiring Videos on the Web”. Many millions of people have viewed his TED talks, and countless others followed him on BBC, Good Morning America, CNN, Jon Stewart, National Geographic, Sky News, Al Jazeera, Jay Leno and more. His autobiography “Achieving the Impossible” is a Bestseller and was chosen for Oprah’s Exclusive Book List.
His awards include France and South Africa’s highest honours, as well as the Freedom of the City of London. In 2010, the World Economic Forum named him a Young Global Leader for his “potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world through inspiring leadership.”
Lewis is currently training in Cape Town for a major expedition to highlight the plight of the world’s oceans. Follow his preparations at http://www.lewispugh.com.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 5, 2010
We're having a coffee and chat at 8.30am on a beautiful spring day as the calm Indian Ocean stretches out in front of us.
All that water - a fitting setting considering I am interviewing Lewis Gordon Pugh who sees his life's work as swimming for emphasis.
In May this year Pugh, or the human polar bear as he is called, made headlines for swimming 1km across a glacial lake on Mount Everest.
Nothing like a dip in the tepid waters of the ocean before us.
But this human polar bear is on a mission.
When he first started, it was simply because he wanted to be a "pioneer swimmer".
"It's no longer about that now," says the |soft-spoken, towering athlete.
As he begins talking, his eyes light up and it is evident this is a man who is passionate about his work.
As he embarked on his many swims, he began to see a number of worrying environmental changes around him, Pugh recalls.
He voiced these concerns to his friends. One of them, Clare Kerr, offered up a challenge - it was time to start speaking up publicly about the environment.
And now, with no sense of arrogance, Pugh says: "I am doing what I am meant to be doing in my life."
By swimming in vulnerable ecosystems, he hopes to draw attention to the impact of people's actions.
It's been a remarkable journey and in his autobiography, Achieving the Impossible, he shares his experiences with us.
Pugh was born in England, and moved to South Africa with his family when he was 10 years old.
They travelled by sea and Pugh says of it in his book: "? the journey ? was magical because it was over water and I could see and hear the sea every minute of the day". An early indication of a man's love for the sea and his desire to swim every ocean.
These days, he sees himself as a global ambassador. Pugh has chosen to take a global position so as not to alienate anyone. Despite this, he smiles wryly and adds: "I might have a global vision, but I also have a local heart."
The man we know as an explorer, did not start off on this career path.He qualified as a lawyer at the University of Cape Town and practised maritime law in England. Like his father, Pugh became a member of the SAS - a vocation that exposed him to violence and destruction. It is because of what he encountered as a soldier that, he believes, he is even more driven to promote the protection of the environment.
"There is a direct link to damaging the environment and conflict," he says.
This idea is tied up with Pugh's campaigning for what he terms "inter-national justice". It is all about ensuring people stop living just for today and start living to ensure their children have a "safe, secure and sustainable future".
Today, Pugh is an international campaigner for the fight against climate change. Achieving the Impossible charts his journey so far. It captures the highs, the lows, and offers insight into what drives a man to push the boundaries.
Developing countries have an important voice when it comes to climate change, he believes.
"There cannot be a case where Americans, the English and Japanese live in such a way that those of us who live in the developing world do not have a future," says Pugh.
He cites the case of the Himalayas as an example. The glaciers of the Hindu Kush region provide water to nearly two billion people. These glaciers are rapidly diminishing. Add to that the fact that three countries in that region are nuclear powerhouses, the situation becomes urgent. As the population increases and water supply decreases, there is a real risk of instability.
By ensuring there is |"inter-national justice", Pugh believes we can ensure that what governments are doing in some parts of the world does not cause conflict in other parts of the world.
Pugh is under no illusion that South Africa, given its many social concerns, has other pressing priorities. But the environment is suffering in South Africa. "Rivers are polluted, especially in KwaZulu-Natal, and overfishing is a problem," he cites as examples.
However, he also sees our history as being inspiring. With leaders and peacemakers like "Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and FW de Klerk who were part of this country" and shaped its political future with very little open conflict, we have much to draw from. We have to take our lessons from them in our fight against climate change, he says.
"At the moment South Africa is not doing enough, but it is not just South Africa; the entire world is to blame."
But South Africa has a great deal of natural resources available that would make the fight easier.
"It is interesting that Green Peace is talking about how South Africa has renewable resources that could provide solutions to the energy crisis and create jobs while fighting global warming," says Pugh.
"They're campaigning for a move towards renewable energy rather than nuclear and coal energy. I agree.
"South Africa has plenty of sun and wind - why not harness these sources of energy?"
Pugh is confident that every one of us can make a difference even in a small way.
Turning off lights, ensuring electrical appliances are not left on standby, considering more carefully the cars we drive, reducing our air travel, buying local produce and installing energy - saving light bulbs - all go a long way in "ensuring that future generations enjoy a safe and sustainable world".
One of the reasons this explorer is so drawn to South Africa is its many incredible national parks.
Every child in South Africa should be taken to a national park, he says.
"If there is anything you do for your children, do this.
"Most kids around the world have not been to national parks and have not seen the beauty of the environment. If they have not seen it, if they don't know what they've got, they are not going to protect it.
"I will never forget the first time I saw a polar bear. I realised that I may be one of the last people to see one alive. Its habitat is melting away rapidly with climate change.
"Children need to realise this too, and national parks will speak volumes."
Call him an explorer, athlete or polar protector - it all boils down to ensuring a future for our children.
All that water - a fitting setting considering I am interviewing Lewis Gordon Pugh who sees his life's work as swimming for emphasis.
In May this year Pugh, or the human polar bear as he is called, made headlines for swimming 1km across a glacial lake on Mount Everest.
Nothing like a dip in the tepid waters of the ocean before us.
But this human polar bear is on a mission.
When he first started, it was simply because he wanted to be a "pioneer swimmer".
"It's no longer about that now," says the |soft-spoken, towering athlete.
As he begins talking, his eyes light up and it is evident this is a man who is passionate about his work.
As he embarked on his many swims, he began to see a number of worrying environmental changes around him, Pugh recalls.
He voiced these concerns to his friends. One of them, Clare Kerr, offered up a challenge - it was time to start speaking up publicly about the environment.
And now, with no sense of arrogance, Pugh says: "I am doing what I am meant to be doing in my life."
By swimming in vulnerable ecosystems, he hopes to draw attention to the impact of people's actions.
It's been a remarkable journey and in his autobiography, Achieving the Impossible, he shares his experiences with us.
Pugh was born in England, and moved to South Africa with his family when he was 10 years old.
They travelled by sea and Pugh says of it in his book: "? the journey ? was magical because it was over water and I could see and hear the sea every minute of the day". An early indication of a man's love for the sea and his desire to swim every ocean.
These days, he sees himself as a global ambassador. Pugh has chosen to take a global position so as not to alienate anyone. Despite this, he smiles wryly and adds: "I might have a global vision, but I also have a local heart."
The man we know as an explorer, did not start off on this career path.He qualified as a lawyer at the University of Cape Town and practised maritime law in England. Like his father, Pugh became a member of the SAS - a vocation that exposed him to violence and destruction. It is because of what he encountered as a soldier that, he believes, he is even more driven to promote the protection of the environment.
"There is a direct link to damaging the environment and conflict," he says.
This idea is tied up with Pugh's campaigning for what he terms "inter-national justice". It is all about ensuring people stop living just for today and start living to ensure their children have a "safe, secure and sustainable future".
Today, Pugh is an international campaigner for the fight against climate change. Achieving the Impossible charts his journey so far. It captures the highs, the lows, and offers insight into what drives a man to push the boundaries.
Developing countries have an important voice when it comes to climate change, he believes.
"There cannot be a case where Americans, the English and Japanese live in such a way that those of us who live in the developing world do not have a future," says Pugh.
He cites the case of the Himalayas as an example. The glaciers of the Hindu Kush region provide water to nearly two billion people. These glaciers are rapidly diminishing. Add to that the fact that three countries in that region are nuclear powerhouses, the situation becomes urgent. As the population increases and water supply decreases, there is a real risk of instability.
By ensuring there is |"inter-national justice", Pugh believes we can ensure that what governments are doing in some parts of the world does not cause conflict in other parts of the world.
Pugh is under no illusion that South Africa, given its many social concerns, has other pressing priorities. But the environment is suffering in South Africa. "Rivers are polluted, especially in KwaZulu-Natal, and overfishing is a problem," he cites as examples.
However, he also sees our history as being inspiring. With leaders and peacemakers like "Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and FW de Klerk who were part of this country" and shaped its political future with very little open conflict, we have much to draw from. We have to take our lessons from them in our fight against climate change, he says.
"At the moment South Africa is not doing enough, but it is not just South Africa; the entire world is to blame."
But South Africa has a great deal of natural resources available that would make the fight easier.
"It is interesting that Green Peace is talking about how South Africa has renewable resources that could provide solutions to the energy crisis and create jobs while fighting global warming," says Pugh.
"They're campaigning for a move towards renewable energy rather than nuclear and coal energy. I agree.
"South Africa has plenty of sun and wind - why not harness these sources of energy?"
Pugh is confident that every one of us can make a difference even in a small way.
Turning off lights, ensuring electrical appliances are not left on standby, considering more carefully the cars we drive, reducing our air travel, buying local produce and installing energy - saving light bulbs - all go a long way in "ensuring that future generations enjoy a safe and sustainable world".
One of the reasons this explorer is so drawn to South Africa is its many incredible national parks.
Every child in South Africa should be taken to a national park, he says.
"If there is anything you do for your children, do this.
"Most kids around the world have not been to national parks and have not seen the beauty of the environment. If they have not seen it, if they don't know what they've got, they are not going to protect it.
"I will never forget the first time I saw a polar bear. I realised that I may be one of the last people to see one alive. Its habitat is melting away rapidly with climate change.
"Children need to realise this too, and national parks will speak volumes."
Call him an explorer, athlete or polar protector - it all boils down to ensuring a future for our children.
February 27, 2022
I started reading this book so that I could help my sister out with her National History Day project. At first, I was just trying to get through the book as quickly as possible to get the information I needed so I could move on, but then I got hooked. It was so interesting to read about how much preparation, both mental and physical, was needed before the “human polar bear” could swim for so long in freezing cold water. It was honestly fascinating how much determination this man has to serve such a big purpose by doing something that he loves. It really just goes to show how much we can do if we take something we love and apply it to something bigger. I recommend this book to anyone looking for an inspirational story to get them thinking!
December 1, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed Lewis Pugh's personal account of his passion to do what none had done before. His dedication and training is truly admirable. When he is told that what he wants is impossible, that is all the motivation he needs. He writes well, as befits a Cambridge graduate, and includes very interesting information on the working of the human body (and mind) in cold water without becoming too technical. Because, as a South African, I am familiar with where he grew up, the schools he attended and many of the places and people he mentions, and because he comes across as unassuming and natural, at the end of the book I felt as though I knew him personally. His achievements are remarkable and intensely inspiring and his aim to draw attention to the fragility of the environment is commendable.
April 20, 2016
It was just an amazing book I have ever read. Hats off to this great man Lewis. Its an amazing example of to how much extent we can stretch our body to do really impossible things.
It was a great inspiration for me, If I could do even 0.1% of what Lewis did in his life it will be a great achievement.
It was a great inspiration for me, If I could do even 0.1% of what Lewis did in his life it will be a great achievement.
March 3, 2013
Probably one of the best books I've read in years. Lewis explains not only the physical part of his adventures and challenges but also the mental part. If you enjoy challening yourself mentally and physically this is a must read! I have new found respect for swimmers, cyclist and runners . . .
July 28, 2013
A brilliant book on living your best life...
April 8, 2013
An inspiring read.
June 5, 2013
A most unusual person physically and spiritually, who has used his gift to raise awareness about global climate change and it's effect on creation. Definitely worth reading.
December 6, 2015
This was an inspiring and challenging read. Not amazing crafting of words, but an indomitable spirit to get something done. Felt it lack detail somewhat, but enjoyed it nonetheless.
November 16, 2016
A great motivational read, encouraging through Lewis' extraordinary achievements. It awakens the concept of belief in oneself.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews