Emma Levy Coaching

07/06/2026

As we approach a couple of months of hotly anticipated elite international sport, and a busy summer season of events for athletes of all ages, interests and abilities, I love this analysis of sport as 'a place to practice being human'.

How will you be contributing to 'something bigger than ourselves' this summer?

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-pressure-paradox/202606/there-is-an-i-in-team

Sport and competition hold a tension between proving our value and belonging just as we are. At their best, teammates and opponents help elevate us toward our highest potential.

29/05/2026

If you have a Marlin, what has it helped you to achieve?

if not, what is your favourite swimming equipment, and how does it help you?

22/05/2026

My visual impairment is not a visible disability. I’m fortunate that a section of my visual field is unaffected, and apart from the bumps to my head from high cupboard doors, or failing to spot the top-shelf items I need in the shops, people would have no idea that my sight is restricted. I am used to the narrowing of my options due to losing my driving license, or not being able to take part in sports where I would need to track a ball in the air.

After the unconscious compensation I had made to my head position led to shoulder injury, I relearned to swim with attention to stroke technique to keep neck and shoulder joints safe.

I have lived with the impairment gradually deteriorating for over 40 years. For 15 years I have assiduously followed the black line along the pool and developed strategies to improve my awareness of other swimmers around me, and my approach to the wall.

In open water I have persisted with short stretches of swimming followed by raising my head like a seal, periscope-style, treading water until I’ve regained my bearings, in the belief that this was my only option.

Until this week, when I had to abandon my attempt to complete my first marathon swim. My slow pace (why swim fast if you might be going in the wrong direction?), and frequent pauses for navigation prevented me from generating enough heat to cope with colder water than I’m used to.

At first I felt defeated, condemned to swim only in the pool. Then from a series of tentative conversations, opening myself up to real people as well as AI, some new options began to emerge:

What if I swam alongside a dedicated kayaker?

Did I know about Marlin, a sat-nav for swimmers? I didn’t, but now that I do, I’m excited to get back into the water! How far I can keep on track with sat-nav guidance in my ear? How much can I reduce my ‘non-moving time’? This is perfect timing with Scottish lochs at last starting to warm up!

Have you been limiting your activities, like me, when there may be great options, if only you knew about them? Who could you speak to, and what could you ask, so that you can access the resources you need to do more of what you enjoy?

05/05/2026

What opportunities could open up for you with the right guidance on stroke technique?

Here's one swimmer's story.

04/05/2026

Considering a swim camp for this year or next? Look no further ...

17/04/2026

Great to see the difference that frame running can make for people who haven't been able to take part in much physical activity. If you face challenges with mobility and balance (for any reason, not just MS), what difference could it make for you?
Frame Running Scotland will be able to give you information about local opportunities to get involved.

15/03/2026

Do you use data on your watch or another device as an indicator of your ‘training readiness’? Or do you monitor what your body is telling you?
If you are generally guided by the data on your watch, have you ever noticed it recommending rest or recovery when you are feeling good to exercise? Or vice versa?
If so, how about raking a break from your watch, and making decisions based on your bodily sensations instead? You could use subjective bodily feelings such as: fatigue (general@or specific eg legs); energy level on waking; muscle soreness; mood; desire to train. Whichever sensations you choose, try giving yourself a score from 1-7 every morning, and notice how it changes from day to day.
And what do your rest days look like? Sometimes ‘active rest can boost recovery at least as effectively as being inactive. A Zone 1 swim can help with muscle and joint recovery, or a walk in nature can be a boost to mental as well as physical recovery.
How will you pick your next rest day, and what will you do with it?

02/03/2026

One small change that can make your swimming much more efficient: count your strokes before and after this adjustment and find out for yourself!

08/02/2026

… in rats as well as in humans.
What skill would you like to learn or improve, and get this valuable boost to your nervous system?

08/02/2026

If you are interested in swimming or dipping in cold water, whether you have years of experience or are just considering the possibility, make sure you read this thorough guide - it's full of important information and strategies to keep you safe while you enjoy your swim or dip.

❄️ Seven years on, the ice still teaches me things

This image appeared on the front page of The Times seven years ago 📰
It travelled far and wide and felt pretty surreal at the time.

What it didn’t do was magically change everything overnight.

Back then, I was only just starting my business. My name was mentioned, but the work itself wasn’t really part of the story. It sparked curiosity and conversations, but the real journey happened quietly, afterwards.

Seven years on, I’m still here.
Still swimming in cold water 🌊
Still breaking the ice 🧊🔨

A lot has changed.

• I’ve built a business creating meaningful cold water swimming experiences and sharing some of the most beautiful places to swim around Scotland
• I’ve helped hundreds of people enjoy cold water with more confidence and care
• I became a mum, and now have a very energetic toddler
• My body changed. My cold tolerance changed. My relationship with the cold changed

What the ice has taught me is this.

Cold water isn’t about being tough.
For me, it’s about community, connection and friendship.
It’s about learning to listen, adapt and respect both the environment and your own body.
And sometimes, it’s about a complete mental reset in just a few minutes.

These days, I’m even more interested in the science, safety and stories behind cold water swimming, and in helping people enjoy it in a way that actually works for them.

🏊‍♀️ The mission has evolved.
💙 The heart of it hasn’t.

And yes, I still carry a sledgehammer around more often than most people would consider normal 😉🔨

If you’re curious about approaching cold water more safely and confidently, I’ve put together a short mini guide. You can find it here 👇
👉 https://mailchi.mp/swimwilduk/cold-water-mini-guide