<\/i>Swim for your heart!<\/h2>\n
Following the tragic death of Pat\u2019s beloved brother, Robbie, she has made it a lifelong mission to bring awareness of heart disease, as well as to encourage more people to swim. Through her \u2018Swim for your heart\u2019 a global swim event, Pat is able to do just that. Here she explains more:<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 2010, <\/i>I posted on the English Channel website, asking swimmers to join me by going for a swim on February 14th<\/sup> and to send a donation to their favourite heart charity. I heard from many swimmers from England, Japan and Mexico, and so began the annual swimming event.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n This year Pat was a guest of honor at the \u2018swim for your heart\u2019 event in Mexico City, which saw a total of 21000 participants, all willing to swim and make awareness of heart disease. The goal for 2015 is to hit 50,000 people.<\/p>\n \u201cNot only does it bring awareness of heart disease it also promotes the sport\u201d <\/i>says Pat \u201c Swimming offers a great cardiovascular workout for the heart, as well as keeping the body healthy. Unfortunately, even with swimming\u2019s many benefits, many people may not be aware that they have high blood pressure or genetic problems, so at these events we encourage swimmers to get checked by their local healthcare providers. During the \u2018Swim for your heart\u2019 In Maine, a High school swim team were screened, and 2 (15 & 16) teenagers were found to have high blood pressure. Fortunately, they are now able to seek the right treatment.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all about perspective! I can remember asking my brother Robbie, how he overcame fear, such as shark attacks. He said: Pat, how many people die in cars every day and how many people have you ever heard of die from shark attacks in Maine. I also ask myself whether I want to reach 80 and have done nothing, or to take a chance and live a life of adventure and pleasure.<\/i><\/p>\n When I am in the water I have this carefree feeling….the sun on my face and skin, it\u2019s a beautiful experience, a feeling of absolute oneness with nature. It\u2019s my waterinstinct.\u201d<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n Pat is a 63 year old grandmother, who works 32 hours a week as a nurse, looking after her grandchildren another 40. She is not a gold medalist, who devotes her time purely to her sport, nor is she someone who has time or money to spare. \u00a0Nominated two years in a row for “World Open Water swimmer, woman of the year, Pat is an inspiration, life\u2019s real Working Class Athlete.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When Pat Gallant-Charette \u00a0lost her brother Robbie at only 34 years old to a heart attack, her 16 year old son Tom told her that he would like to …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1302,"featured_media":16786,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[10060],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nDealing with fear & anxiety in the water<\/b><\/h2>\n
Retirement <\/i><\/h2>\n
![\"Moment](\"https:\/\/www.arenawaterinstinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/moment-after-pat-gallant-charette-swim-300x199.jpg\")
\u201cNo way! My plan is to swim all the major marathon swims around the world. Until I can no longer do it, but I imagine being in the water many more years.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n