Swimming in the Pacific: Finding Passion in Midlife
The Pacific Ocean has risen to the status of passion for me. This interest began about eleven (updating this blog in 2025) years ago. It took me considerable effort to return to a regular workout routine "post-baby." Our child might have been 6 by then, but who's counting? Reconnecting to the long-ago athlete I knew lived somewhere deep inside me was quite a journey.
I've never written about being an active, athletic person in this blog before. I'm not trying to be your personal trainer—I'm a counselor/therapist and soon-to-be certified Person-Centered Expressive Arts Facilitator. But I do believe deeply in the mind-body connection, and all the ideas I share here support this personal truth: when we tap into both our minds and bodies, we heal what has troubled us and work toward a deeper understanding of ourselves.
The Power of Expressive Arts and Physical Challenge
I recently completed my fourth week of intensive training toward a certificate in Person-Centered Expressive Arts, and I feel more empowered than ever to share this aspect of how I stay motivated in life. A few weeks before heading back to this training, I swam through the San Francisco Bay—under the Golden Gate Bridge, to be exact.
I've come to realize that finding a passion in "mid-life" is vital to mental health and well-being. If you're familiar with Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, you'll know that those of us on the other side of forty are in the midst of his 7th stage: generativity versus stagnation.
Let's not stagnate!
I love this stage deeply because it's very existential. One of my primary orientations in working with clients is humanistic existentialism. I find my passion for life in many places, and weekly exercise is certainly one of them. Can you relate? I'd love to hear your story too!
Finding Your Motivation
Do you need a goal or event to keep you motivated? Or perhaps an "accountability partner"? I have clients who make working out a regular part of life by involving friends or even their children.
I imagine that for you, like for me at times, it hasn't been an easy road to ignite passion for life (including exercise). It can feel like an uphill battle. Research clearly shows that exercise is intrinsically related to mental health (Source). If we know this is true, then why do so many of us struggle to stick with an exercise regimen?
For me personally, it comes back to passion. I have a passion for water, a passion for being active, and a renewed passion for art!
My Connection to Water
I was immersed in water from six weeks of age. Water is part of who I am. When surrounded by it, I feel at home. Whether it's chlorine in a pool or salt in the ocean, water calms me.
You can let so much go when you're at the beach! Even just dipping your toes in our cold Pacific Ocean might be healing for you. The warm air and cool water of the Pacific free me from my worries.
My recent adventure swimming under the Golden Gate Bridge brought twinges of anxiety. I met new people and had to ask for support—someone to have that towel ready! I trained alone because I haven't found many people who want to join me (weird, right?). Still, I reach out to those who work out regularly and find support there.
Your Next Adventure
I'm not suggesting you need to swim under the Golden Gate Bridge, but what is your next adventure? What are your physical health goals? How about your mental health goals?
Create your own experiment: note how you feel now, then see how you feel after four weeks of moderate exercise four to five times per week. It doesn't take as much time or effort as you might think, especially if you have some background in committed exercise or activity. Even parking at the back of the grocery store parking lot counts!
If you have no history of working out, call me for an appointment. We can discuss your goals around fitness and mental health together.
Resources for Inspiration:
https://www.sarahempowers.com
Kim Chambers' inspiring story, kimswims.com
https://www.ponysweataerobics.com