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
More from KCRW
Black history and humanity are focus of SoFi’s Kinsey art exhibit
ArtsThe Kinsey African American Art & History Collection is back in LA. “What we do is about illuminating a fuller scope of Blackness and humanity at large,” says the chief curator.
Pride Poets hotline brings creativity and comfort to LGBTQ community
ArtsThe Pride Poets hotline writes custom, on-the-spot, free poems for anyone who dials in. This year, its creative team took more than 200 calls.
LA’s 60-year effort to protect city’s history, cultural heritage
HistoryWho says Angelenos don’t care about history? Since the Leonis Adobe became Cultural Monument No. 1 in LA, the city has designated more than 1,000 others.
Vin Scully was known for his encyclopedic knowledge, voice, delivery
SportsLA is in mourning after iconic Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully died Tuesday at age 94. He called Dodgers games for 67 seasons before retiring in 2016. Mo Ostin died this week at age 95.
CA’s next national park may star César Chávez, farmworkers
CaliforniaCoachella Valley Representative Raul Ruiz is spearheading a bill that could establish a national park dedicated to farmworkers.
Being Peanut Man is both fun and risky for Angeleno in his 60s
Coronavirus“Peanut Man” (Robert Sanchez) has been selling concessions at Dodger Stadium for some 50 years. “You're gonna get hurt. You might slip on nacho cheese,” he says.
After century of educating low-income kids, LA Catholic school closes
EducationFor generations, Catholic schools have represented a pathway to the middle class for immigrants. But thousands have closed, the latest in Boyle Heights.
Death doulas want to be your guides to dying well
Health & WellnessDying is a complicated process. Death doulas want to make it better. That can mean helping with your will, spiritual issues, or just a great going-away party.
‘Wicked fun’: Celebrating 20 years of Cinespia at LA cemetery
EntertainmentCinespia founder John Wyatt reflects on the 20-year history of the summer movie screening series famously held at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.