Nevis to St Kitts Swim + Why I Finally Decided to Take Statins

In this episode, Beth and I reflect on our recent Nevis to St Kitts swim, a brilliant open water adventure that reminded us what it really means to be Battle Ready. We talk about the event itself, the experience of swimming across open water in a stunning setting, and what we learned from it. Then we shift gears into a more personal topic. I share why, after years of resisting it, I’ve decided to start taking statins. It’s not medical advice, but an honest conversation about health, ageing, and the difference between being fit and being truly healthy for the long term. Key Points The Nevis to St Kitts swim experience A 2.5-mile open water swim in warm Caribbean waters, inclusive, well organised, and accessible to a wide range of swimmers. Adventure vs preparation You don’t need perfect preparation to take on meaningful challenges, but the experience highlighted where more specific endurance work would help. Battle Ready in action Being consistently fit allowed us to step into an event like this with confidence and enjoy the experience. Fit doesn’t equal healthy You can look strong, perform well, and still have underlying health risks that aren’t visible on the surface. Why I changed my stance on statins After years of resisting medication, a combination of medical advice, real-life examples, and perspective on long-term risk led me to rethink my position. 3 Takeaways Train for life, not just events Being Battle Ready means you can say yes to opportunities without needing perfect preparation. Don’t confuse fitness with health Performance metrics don’t tell the full story. What’s happening “under the hood” matters just as much. Play the long game Whether it’s training, lifestyle, or medical decisions, the goal is to keep doing what you love for decades, not just today. Killer Quote “Just because you’re fit, it doesn’t mean you’re invincible.” Resources Find out more about the Nevis - St Kitts Cross Channel Swim Nick Parkes podcast - The Day My heart Stopped Mid-Race Want help building durable training? Inside the SWAT Inner Circle you’ll find structured training plans, strength programmes and regular coaching insights designed to help endurance athletes train consistently without breaking down. £30 per month. CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION   Connect with me HERE: https://linktr.ee/simonward You can find links for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube Email: Simon@thetriathloncoach.com Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle 💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to beth@thetriathloncoach.com and you might just hear it on a future episode!