Today's guest is an Olympic Trials qualifier and Pan American gold medalist. Catherine Breed has always loved the water. She wasn't sure what to do after her college career swimming ended, but fortuitously, a friend introduced her to the Dolphin club, based at San Francisco's Aquatic Park.At her first open water swimming event hosted by the Dolphin Club event she was a complete unknown. She was immediately hooked. Her first marathon swim was completing the length of Lake Tahoe, in record setting time. I love how Catherine describes marathon swimmers as having to scratch an itch. This is exactly how it transpired for me! After completing my first 10 mile open water swim, I immediately jumped on the internet trying to find out what else was out there. Fresh on the scene, and incredibly driven, I suspect we'll be seeing a lot more of Catherine Breed in the marathon swimming world!In her own words: Former pool swimmer for Cal, 2x Pan American Gold Medalist, and 3x Olympic trials qualifier found love of open water in 2017. Since then had completed 2/ oceans 7 and broken 3 records along the way, currently holding fastest time for Lake Tahoe. Uses her platform to bring awareness to mental health and making the sport more inclusive and accessible.If you'd like to be a guest on Marathon Swim Stories, mailto:shannon@intrepidwater.comStay in touch by joining our email list at http://intrepidwater.comJoin a supportive group of limit pushers at The Marathon Swimming CollectiveMusic credit:Epic Inspiration  by Rafael KruxLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/5447-epic-inspiration-License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Swimming sounds courtesy of swimmer Todd Lantry.