Swimmer Diana Nyad Does Book Signing of New Memoir

On Wednesday, August 17, The Music Hall's Innovation and Leadership series will present the world's greatest long-distance swimmer and celebrated sports broadcaster Diana Nyad. In her best-selling memoir, "Find a Way," just out in paperback, Nyad shares her extraordinary life experiences including championship meets, record-setting swims around Manhattan, and her 2013 Cuba-to-Florida challenge at age sixty-four.

"In this challenging time in our country and around the world, it is great to hear stories of perseverance and success. Diana Nyad is remarkable -- so determined, so courageous," said Patricia Lynch, Executive Producer of Writers in the Loft and the evening's moderator. "Her memoir inspires you to take a hard look at your dreams and realize there is always a way. We're excited to welcome her to our Innovation+Leadership series."

"Find a Way" is a thrilling memoir that engages the reader in an epic feat of both endurance and human will. On September 2, 2013, 64-year-old Nyad emerged on the sands of Key West after swimming across 111 miles of shark-infested waters between Cuba and Florida in 53 hours. Nyad carried three poignant messages on her grueling journey, and shared them to the crowd in her moment of final triumph: (1) Never, ever give up. (2) You're never too old to chase your dreams. (3) It looks like a solitary sport, but it's a TEAM.

Millions of people around the world cheered this maverick on, moved by her undeniable tenacity to be the first to make the historic crossing without the aid of a shark cage. At the end of her magnificent journey, after thirty-five years and four crushing failures, the public found hope in Nyad's perseverance. They were inspired by her mantra -- find a way -- that led her to realize a dream in her sixties that had eluded her as a young champion in peak form.

In "Find a Way," Nyad engages us with a unique, passionate story of this heroic adventure and the extraordinary life experiences that have served to carve her unwavering spirit.

Nyad was a world champion in her twenties, setting the record for swimming around Manhattan Island, along with other ocean-swim achievements, all of which rendered her a star at the time. Back then, she made the first attempt at the Mount Everest of swims, the Cuba Swim, but after 42 hours and 79 miles she was blown desperately off course. Her dream unfulfilled, she didn't swim another stroke for three decades.

"Find a Way" reflects on life's many obstacles and how to power through them, even when failure seems like the only option. Why, at sixty-four, was she able to achieve what she could not at thirty? How did her dramatic failures push her to success? What inner resources did Diana draw on during her long days and nights of training, and how did the power of the human spirit trump both the limitations of the body and the forces of nature across this vast, dangerous wilderness? This is a gripping story of an athlete, of a hero, of a bold mind. This is a galvanizing meditation on facing fears, engaging in our lives full-throttle, and living each day with no regrets.

Nyad's 7 p.m. Loft event is sold out, but all book buyers are invited to a meet-and-greet book signing with the author at 8 p.m. in the Loft. The author will personalize paperback editions of "Find a Way." Post show vouchers ($17 including $16.95 book) can be purchased through The Music Hall Box Office, located at 28 Chestnut Street, Portsmouth, over the phone at 603-436-2400, or online at www.themusichall.org

The 7 p.m. event includes an author presentation and moderated Q+A, plus post-event book signing and meet-and-greet. It will be held at The Music Hall Loft, 131 Congress Street, in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire.