The swimmer who battled through piranha waters for 66 days to conquer the Amazon River: Martin Strel S3:E10

At 52 years old, endurance swimming legend Martin Strel set out on one of the greatest adventure feats in human history – to swim the entire length of the Amazon River. Battling exhaustion, treacherous currents, parasites, piranhas and mental collapse, Martin’s 66-day journey pushed the limits of physical and psychological resilience. But this was never just about a personal challenge – it was a mission to raise awareness about the destruction of one of Earth’s most vital ecosystems, all while sporting a yellow pillowcase on his head.

In this episode, I speak with Martin about what drove him to attempt this near-impossible swim, how he has stayed alive in some of the world’s most dangerous waters, and why he believes endurance swimming can be a force for change. From his unconventional beginnings in Slovenia to the heart of the Amazon rainforest, Martin’s story is one of grit, survival and deep connection with nature – proving that sometimes, the most powerful strokes are taken for something far greater than yourself.

Follow Martin on Instagram.

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