9 Quotes & Sayings By Diana Nyad

Diana Nyad was born in Cuba in 1946. She entered the University of Havana at age 13 and earned her bachelor's degree in biology in 1965. She married at age 18 and had two children, but left her husband after four years. Nyad had always enjoyed physical activity, however, and by the time of the Cuban revolution had earned a master's degree in physiology from the University of Havana and was preparing for her doctoral work Read more

She left Cuba with her family in 1979 on an ill-fated refugee voyage to America, later renouncing her Cuban citizenship after failing to receive permission to do so from Fidel Castro. Along with her sons, she arrived on Ellis Island with only $3 to her name. Nyad ultimately earned a doctorate in biochemistry at Columbia University, where she was recognized as one of the top ten students in her class.

After graduating, she worked as an assistant professor of biochemistry at Tufts University School of Medicine until 1984.

1
Hard work and focus and will would shape my future. Nothing was meant to be. Diana Nyad
2
You will never forget what has happened to you. You cannot. And I will never replace your mother. I cannot. But you must believe that this is a beautiful world. People are basically kind and loving. You are going to live a wonderful life. You must take these memories and bury them deep in a corner of your soul. Don't live them on your skin. Tomorrow you will wake up for the first time in your new home, here with us. You will not wake up a tortured little girl. You will wake up a citizen of the world, deserving of a happy and meaningful life. Diana Nyad
3
I love that aspect of sports where you can see what kind of work, how much work, an athlete's been doing by how her body is carved. Diana Nyad
4
It seems to me it's not genetic gifts for tolerating stress or resisting pain that take individuals through extraordinary feats of endurance. When it comes to the most daring of Earth's expeditions, success always seems to come down to four factors: One: Physical preparation. Training. You are truly the only thing you have complete control over. No stone unturned. Two: Know everything possible about the elements, the obstacles. Knowledge is power. Three. Surround yourself with brilliant and honorable people. Four. Unshakeable faith. Go so far as defiance. Refuse to accept limitations and mediocrity. I won't let anybody tell me I can't touch the stars because I just might get there. And I will surely never get there if I don't keep trying. Diana Nyad
5
I am willing to put myself through anything temporary pain or discomfort means nothing to me as long as I can see that the experience will take me to a new level. I am interested in the unknown and the only path to the unknown is through breaking barriers an often painful process. Diana Nyad
6
I do write all the time about - you tell me what your dreams are. What are you chasing? It's not impossible. Name it. Diana Nyad
7
Swimming is probably the ultimate of burnout sports. It's ironic because millions of people who swim as their regular exercise love the meditation aspect of it you don't wind up with any orthopedic injuries. But when you swim at a world class level for hours and hours - the loneness of the long distance runner. Diana Nyad
8
I grew up in Florida, so you start swimming at the age of 1, really. By 10, I was competitive swimming, and by 12, I had aspirations to be the best in the world. Diana Nyad