Lewis Pugh quotes

Britain has bred many great explorers, but they seem to get so little coverage compared to soccer and rugby players. (Lewis Pugh)
I'm not a rule-breaker by nature. But there are times when you need to untangle yourself from red tape. Because the truth is, if you wait for permission, some things will simply never happen. View quote
Lewis Pugh
Look around the world. Wherever you damage the environment, you have conflict. We have had enough conflict in [South Africa] – now is the time for peace. View quote
Lewis Pugh
When people say to me, you must have a very strong mind to swim across the North Pole, or off Antarctica or on Mount Everest, I tell them that endurance swimming builds good mental strength. View quote
Lewis Pugh
They have [...] a split personality. One moment they're your best mate, and next they are trying to drag you down to the bottom of the sea to drown you. [...] It's just astonishing. View quote
Lewis Pugh
Thoughts alone won't make extraordinary things happen. But nothing ever happens if you don't visualise it first. View quote
Lewis Pugh
Never plan for victory and defeat in your mind at the same time. View quote
Lewis Pugh
Never, ever did I think that there would be a debate in this arid country about which was more important – gas or water. We can survive without gas. We cannot live without water. View quote
Lewis Pugh
When you are walking up a mountain to attempt something that nobody's ever tried before, and you pass people bringing corpses down, it becomes very clear that if you get it wrong, the consequences could be fatal. View quote
Lewis Pugh
A thought came across my mind: if things go pear-shaped on this swim, how long will it take for my frozen body to sink the four and a half kilometers to the bottom of the ocean? View quote
Lewis Pugh
Being the first to undertake a swim is exponentially harder than going second. You don't know what will happen. The fear can be crippling. It's much easier to go second. You know it's possible. But the world is divided into pioneers and followers. You are one or the other. I prefer to be a pioneer. (Lewis Pugh)
A healthy ocean is an ocean with sharks. Take away an apex predator and it's like removing the lions from the Serengeti. It won't be long before the gazelle, zebras and wildebeest have multiplied and eaten all the grass. And when the land is laid bare the grazers will starve to death. Predators are crucial for a healthy ecosystem – be it on land or in the water. View quote
Lewis Pugh
The right to have our environment protected for the benefit of our generation and the benefit of future generations is our most crucial human right. View quote
Lewis Pugh
Always when we walked, it was clear to me how much he loved nature, wild flowers, animals in their natural habitat and the simple pleasures of a beautiful sunset. My love for the environment did not develop out of a vacuum. View quote
Lewis Pugh
Law taught me how to argue passionately and rationally. That's key to being a successful environmental campaigner. If you are too emotional you run the risk of turning off policy makers. And if you can't present your arguments rationally, no one will listen to you. View quote
Lewis Pugh
I've been swimming for 25 years, and I don't think there is one swim that I have done where someone didn't say beforehand, ‘I don't think it's possible' or ‘You'll never make it'. If someone tells you that you can't achieve your dream, don't waste good time arguing. Walk away and do it. View quote
Lewis Pugh
There's nothing more chilling than swimming across open sea, where recently there used to be a solid glacier. View quote
Lewis Pugh
There's a tyranny in perfection. Just do things to the very best of your ability. Then move on. View quote
Lewis Pugh
The most powerful form of self-belief comes from believing in something greater than you. Because when you've got purpose, everything becomes possible. View quote
Lewis Pugh
The English Channel is the perfect stretch of water to truly test the human mind. View quote
Lewis Pugh
There is nothing more powerful than the made-up mind. (Lewis Pugh)
If we pass on an unsustainable environment to our children we have failed them. View quote
Lewis Pugh
Too little confidence, and you're unable to act; too much confidence, and you're unable to hear. View quote
Lewis Pugh
To succeed as a pioneer you need two things: ignorance and purpose. Ignorance of just how tough the path ahead will be. And a driving purpose, which keeps you going nonetheless. View quote
Lewis Pugh
There's a fine line between bravery and stupidity, which should never be crossed. View quote
Lewis Pugh