CHLOË McCARDEL

“It is a liberating experience because everything is out of your control,” says Chloë McCardel of swimming the English Channel. In August, the Melbourne-born, Sydney-based long-distance swimmer completed her 35th crossing (her fourth in 16 days) after 10 hours and 40 minutes of icy water. She battled the weather and the waves as she steered clear of the 400-metre cargo ships travelling between England and France. “It was a relief to get it finished. I was exhausted,” she tells marie claire. “But when I got back on the boat, my exhaustion turned to euphoria.”

Finishing this journey – after 16 years of endurance swimming – was especially sweet for McCardel because she overtook the men’s world record of 34 swims. The phenomenal feat garnered international media attention, which McCardel used to shine a light on an issue that’s touched her life: domestic violence. “Having experienced domestic violence [in a past relationship], I’ve been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. It took me a long time to realise I shouldn’t be ashamed. There’s nothing wrong with me, there’s something wrong with the victim-blaming and negative perceptions surrounding domestic violence and mental health,” explains McCardel, 35, speaking from London where she’s hoping to do another two Channel swims before returning to Australia. “I wanted to be a part of the positive change and to open up the conversation about these issues.”

By smashing world records and sharing her story, McCardel is also hoping to break down the stigma associated with domestic violence. Next year, she’s gunning for the title of most English Channel swims ever, which is currently held by Alison Streeter, who has swum the 35-kilometre distance 43 times. “[Endurance swimming] is a reminder of how incredible the human spirit and human body are,” says McCardel, like the survivor she is.