Swimming as a Transformative Occupation: Interview with Alice Hortop (Mermaid Sparkle)

Lives Well Occupied: Lessons from Near and Far

Aug 6

Alice Hortop (Mermaid Sparkle) winks wearing zebra print bathers— loving the vehicle she is in and reminding us to do the same

A Conversation Across the Pond

(0.00) Today’s guest comes all the way from the UK, to talk with us about one of her favorite ways to refuel— swimming.

For the past few years, Alice has been swimming in the sea, often at dawn and almost always with plenty of laughter, joy, and kindness. She has learned to weave swimming into her habits and routines in a way that brings more joy and dare I say, aliveness, than she likely ever imagined. Just hearing her describe the transformation brought about by the sea is likely to bring smiles and chuckles to you as well.

Alice is an occupational therapist, professor, supreme noticer (which she translates into loving actions due to the extent to which she notices herself and the world around her). Her experience being involuntary childless has combined with all of this to lead her on a journey that now has her calling occupational therapists to consider the impact belonging centered practice might have on OT practice. Her biggest, boldest vision-- is that occupational therapists show up in large numbers, (picture a stampede) to serve in our ongoing role of partnering with people in transformative occupations and ways. We couldn’t agree more!

Alice has so many things to teach us-- today’s interview focused on refueling and swimming as a transformative occupation.

You’ll hear how she recognizes swimming, a once cherished occupation, has called her back to the sea to find herself again. She makes us laugh, smile, and consider what transformative occupations look and feel like while inspiring us to wonder—

What occupations have you done in the past you might like to try again?

How might water based occupations benefit you or those around you?

What’s your version of mermaiding as a transformative occupation?

A Few Words to Guide your Listening Patterns for this Conversation

We had such a good time listening to Alice, we got caught up in the flow and delight of the conversation. Today’s interview is longer than most, and we trust you’ll find the best way for you to listen-- all at once or as you see fit.

Either way— we believe you’ll find it offers plenty of ways to consider how we refuel.

(2.43) One of the greatest gifts of conversations across cultures is the opportunity to appreciate, learn and understand cultural and vocabulary differences. If you have young children nearby as you listen, we wish to make you aware we do talk about anatomy in ways that may be outside of your cultural comfort zone. Please plan your listening accordingly.

And now-- let’s cross the pond and listen to the adventures of Alice Hortop/Mermaid Sparkle. Enjoy!

Occupational Therapy Perspective Wrap Up

(1:01.50) In reality, we could spend another hour talking about all the lessons occupation has to offer us after listening to this conversation; instead, we’ll talk through some of the highlights.

Occupation has the power to transform us-- Alice shares how swimming was a cherished occupation in childhood and how it calls her back once again after experiencing depression, loss and grief, involuntary childlessness, and more. Having felt betrayed by her body and frustrated, she learns to love and appreciate “the vehicle she is in”-- reminding us, we only get one vehicle in this life. We hear her journey back to the sea from thinking there are not bathers (or swimming suits, as we might call them in the US) to fit her, to walking confidently and with great pride and joy into the water with playfulness, glee, and sometimes even finding sparkles.
Swimming serves as a way to bring us back into our bodies-- it grounds us, provides sensory input, grounds us, and connects us to something larger than ourselves. In addition, swimming clubs create the opportunity to connect, to look after one another, and really take notice of what is needed to both enjoy the sea and stay safe. We hear the playfulness, focus, and joy that being in the water brings back, as well as its healing properties. And with that kind of transformation, others take notice as well. Alice talks about swimming being so beneficial that it is a commonly prescribed activity by general practitioners now in the UK, especially since the pandemic, due to the healing outcomes being observed in mental, physical, and spiritual health. We hear stories of decreased depression, increased connection, less physical pain, and increased connection to one’s spirit.
We hear of how connection is bigger than connecting back to oneself, and a community of people. It is also about how engaging with nature in this way reconnects us to how small we are in a vast world. We hear how the sea cradles, and collaborates with other beings to fill us with awe and appreciation.
As we listen to Alice notice what it is about swimming that benefits her-- she offers us clues in finding what transformative occupations might be for each of us and the groups of which we are apart. We recognize the many therapeutic benefits of water and also that swimming is not calling everyone-- as you’ve listened today, we hope it provides you with ideas of noticing when you or others might have discovered or reconnected with their transformative occupations and how we might make more space for them in our lives.

A Look at the Evidence of the Benefits of Sea Swimming

For a look at some of the latest evidence on the benefits of swimming in the sea, check out the reference below:

Hannah Denton & Kay Aranda (2020) The wellbeing benefits of sea swimming. Is it time to revisit the sea cure?, Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 12:5, 647-663, DOI: 10.1080/2159676X.2019.1649714

To preview: https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2019.1649714