Diana Nyad

Diana Nyad

Sports journalist, long distance swimmer and author

Host

SPORTS

In 1979, Diana Nyad stroked her way to the longest swim in history, for both men and women. The distance was 102.5 miles--from the island of Bimini to the Florida shore--and that incredible record still stands today. Diana was front page news throughout the Western world, the lead story for Walter Cronkite on the CBS Evening News, and many times guest of The Tonight Show.

For ten years (1969-1979) Diana was the greatest long-distance swimmer in the world. She broke numerous world records, including the 50-year-old mark for circling Manhattan Island (7hrs., 57 min.) in 1975. 

Diana was honored with her induction in the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2003. In 1986, Diana was inducted into the National Women’s Sports Hall of Fame. She is also a Hall of Famer at both her college (Lake Forest College, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa) and her high school (Pine Crest School).

In July, 2010 Diana attempted to revisit the dream she couldn't accomplish in 1978 – swimming from Cuba to Florida. Although weather and circumstances frustrated her effort, she looks forward to another attempt in the future.


JOURNALISM

Diana is the sports business reporter for the award-winning show Marketplace. Diana has twice won the "Miller Light National Journalism Award". 

On television, you can now see Diana on the prestigious CBS News Sunday Morning program where she delivers thought-provoking commentary.

Previously, Diana was the Senior Correspondent for FOX SPORTS NEWS for five years (1996-2001), investigating stories such as the use of performance enhancing drugs by athletes and reporting live from such sporting events as the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Diana writes and produces all her own stories.

Prior to Fox (1994-1996), Diana was host of all foreign documentaries on the  “Outdoor Life Network”, traveling to Africa, for instance, for part of the series “The Great Cats of the World”. 

From 1989-1992, Diana hosted her own show on CNBC,  “One on One with Diana Nyad” where she interviewed the likes of Ed Bradley and Julia Child and where she garnered a reputation as a skilled and passionate interviewer. 

While an announcer with ABC’s Wide World of Sports (1980-88), Diana covered three Olympic Games, the New York City Marathon, the Ironman, and dozens of other events around the globe. Capitalizing on her background as an adventurer extraordinaire, she swam with 100-ton “Right” whales in Patagonia, kayaked over 40-foot waterfalls in Borneo, and biked the length of Vietnam . 

OTHER

Diana has written three books, Other Shores, Basic Training, and The Keyshawn Johnson Story. She also writes for The New York Times, Newsweek, and other publications.
Diana is fluent in French, German, and Spanish.

Diana and her best friend Bonnie Stoll (former #3 in the world on the Pro Racquetball Tour) have formed a company called BravaBody.com. Women over 40 will now be able to have, online, two former world class athletes give them direct inspiration and custom-made work-outs.

Over the past twenty years, Diana has earned a reputation as a riveting public speaker. She combines her talent for dramatic story-telling with a natural sense of humor and a charismatic stage presence. She never uses notes -- she speaks from her heart and her audiences are both riveted and inspired.

Diana Nyad on KCRW

For many atheists the connection to the outside world; to nature, wildlife and humanity provides comfort and wonder.

Is America losing its religion? Diana Nyad and Derek Thompson on non-belief

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Cam Newton, Ego Aside

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