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Push Past Impossible
"It's simply not human!" a passenger proclaims loudly, aghast as to what she is witnessing.
Ryan Stramrood stands at the top of the gangway stairs that are lowered down the side of an ocean liner in one of the coldest, most hostile places on Earth – Antarctica. He wears only a small Speedo costume, goggles and a swim cap. Over a hundred passengers, wearing thick layers of insulation to protect from the bitter cold, are leaning over the ship's railing on the upper decks, cheering and desperate to get a glimpse, in morbid fascination, of what is about to happen. What Ryan is about to attempt could potentially push boundaries beyond what humans can survive.
The water temperature a deadly -1 degrees Celsius, the distance to swim an impossible one mile.
Only a few years earlier, Ryan was a self-proclaimed couch potato. A 30-year-old salesman and father, navigating life quite successfully, albeit neatly confined in his comfort zone. Today he is a multiple Guinness World Record holder, rated globally as one of the top 50 extreme swimming athletes in the world, and a sought-after international inspirational speaker.
This fascinating story tells the incredible tales of Ryan's journey and spirit. The inspiration and learnings each and every one of us will take from this highly relatable book are simply invaluable. We can all learn to Push Past Impossible.
"The way Ryan has chosen to live this one precious life is nothing short of inspirational." - LEWIS PUGH
Ryan Stramrood stands at the top of the gangway stairs that are lowered down the side of an ocean liner in one of the coldest, most hostile places on Earth – Antarctica. He wears only a small Speedo costume, goggles and a swim cap. Over a hundred passengers, wearing thick layers of insulation to protect from the bitter cold, are leaning over the ship's railing on the upper decks, cheering and desperate to get a glimpse, in morbid fascination, of what is about to happen. What Ryan is about to attempt could potentially push boundaries beyond what humans can survive.
The water temperature a deadly -1 degrees Celsius, the distance to swim an impossible one mile.
Only a few years earlier, Ryan was a self-proclaimed couch potato. A 30-year-old salesman and father, navigating life quite successfully, albeit neatly confined in his comfort zone. Today he is a multiple Guinness World Record holder, rated globally as one of the top 50 extreme swimming athletes in the world, and a sought-after international inspirational speaker.
This fascinating story tells the incredible tales of Ryan's journey and spirit. The inspiration and learnings each and every one of us will take from this highly relatable book are simply invaluable. We can all learn to Push Past Impossible.
"The way Ryan has chosen to live this one precious life is nothing short of inspirational." - LEWIS PUGH
221 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 18, 2022
3 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 2, 2022
Ryan has been an inspiration to me in the world of long distance and cold water swimming since I met him in Langebaan in 2021.
I love to read books about water and swimming in the hopes that the stories shared give me that feeling of bliss that swimming gives, and that it reminds me of why I choose to continue swimming. This book has has done exactly that; I found myself wondering whether I could continue reading but also squeeze in a swimming session at the same time!
I chuckled out loud at the numerous stories highlighting the typical South African tendency to push the boundaries and bend the rules.
The stories that Ryan has shared in this book challenge the boundaries that we think confine us as swimmers but also as people. I’d highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to break out of their comfort zone and see where that takes them.
I love to read books about water and swimming in the hopes that the stories shared give me that feeling of bliss that swimming gives, and that it reminds me of why I choose to continue swimming. This book has has done exactly that; I found myself wondering whether I could continue reading but also squeeze in a swimming session at the same time!
I chuckled out loud at the numerous stories highlighting the typical South African tendency to push the boundaries and bend the rules.
The stories that Ryan has shared in this book challenge the boundaries that we think confine us as swimmers but also as people. I’d highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to break out of their comfort zone and see where that takes them.
November 15, 2025
I saw the author speak at a conference in January of this year. His talk followed the book’s stories and story arc pretty closely. Having seen several videos from his talk it was easy to picture the action.
I really admire Ryan for doing the seemingly impossible. And while have a group of friends to do these crazy endurance tests with is certainly helpful, he has in fact done all these things himself. Truly amazing people.
I don’t know how all the travel and training affects his family. It seems as though it took a toll on his marriage but we’ll learn more in his next book.
Quick read despite my many breaks from the book along the way.
I really admire Ryan for doing the seemingly impossible. And while have a group of friends to do these crazy endurance tests with is certainly helpful, he has in fact done all these things himself. Truly amazing people.
I don’t know how all the travel and training affects his family. It seems as though it took a toll on his marriage but we’ll learn more in his next book.
Quick read despite my many breaks from the book along the way.
July 26, 2022
For anyone who has ever attempted Open Water Swimming, or is a daily swimmer, this is a must read. There are some fascinating & inspirational insights into Ryans journey to one of the most dedicated Open Water Swimmers in South Africa. A true inspiration and great read that only took a non stop 4 hours to read!
February 12, 2023
This is a great adventure read with some top notch laughs. You clearly understand via this speedo’s story teller what he went thru - I also got a chance to meet Ryan, listen to his presentation about his journey, do his ice bucket challenge and do an ice dip with him in Cape Town, South Africa where his journey began making this an extra special read personally. Thanks Ryan!
October 27, 2022
Incredibly inspiring
July 6, 2023
I have read my fair share of Inspirational Biographies & Autobiographies and this one is really up there among the best ever.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews