'Amidst the whirlwind of lockdown with premature twins, I found myself on the brink of losing it'
The She Found It Was Losing Solace Brianna Brink Jackson When Swimming On In Sea Of
“The early days of motherhood were incredibly challenging for me", admits Brianna Jackson. In 2020 she gave birth to premature twins who spent a month in the NICU.
Balancing the care of her two-year-old alongside the newborns, she was presented with the additional struggle of lockdown with no friends or family available for support.
"With three kids under the age of two and the added chaos of covid-19, it felt like navigating a stormy sea. The twins arrived prematurely, and needed constant care and attention, which only added to the exhaustion and foggy memories of those early days. Amidst the whirlwind of breastfeeding and lockdown restrictions, I found myself on the brink of losing it.”
Desperate for a moment of respite, Brianna took up sea swimming.
Every morning at 6 am, before her husband Kenneth started work, she slipped quietly out the door and headed for the sea.
“It wasn't just about the exercise; it was about preserving my mental health and finding a moment of peace amidst the chaos. It was so much more than a physical activity, it became my sanctuary. In the water, surrounded by the elements, I found solace and clarity,” she explains.
At the time Brianna had little experience in the water and was just about able to doggy paddle, but she set her sights on the yellow buoys, 180m out to sea on Killiney beach and taught herself to swim in order to achieve her goal.
“I found the swimming community to be incredibly supportive, always offering pointers and words of encouragement. To supplement my learning, I turned to YouTube, soaking up tutorials on swimming techniques.
Every day was dedicated to practice. I vividly recall a moment when everything seemed to fall into place: I attempted breathing underwater and suddenly, it just clicked.
"My arms moved in sync with my breathing, creating a harmonious rhythm. From then on, it was about pushing myself that little bit further each day — whether it was adding an extra five minutes to my swim or stretching for an additional 50 meters. Each small improvement became a triumph in my swimming journey. I was hooked.”
Brianna’s progression from doggy paddler to marathon swimmer was nothing short of meteoric.
In 2023 alone she knocked out a staggering eight marathon swims.
Recalling her recent exploits, she expressed immense joy in being the first woman to conquer swims from Howth to Bray, Kish to Lambay Island, and Lambay Island to Rockabill Lighthouse. She was also delighted to complete a 20km swim from Fastnet Lighthouse to Baltimore and Galway Bay Blackrock Tower to Aughinish, achieving two-thirds of the Irish Triple Crown.
Spending up to eight hours in the water in nothing other than a pair of togs with no respite from the elements does come with its challenges.
“There have been countless moments where I've felt like I've reached my limit. My body ached, and the pain seemed unbearable. Questions like "Is this worth it?" and "Why do I do this?" echoed in my mind. Yet, deep down, I knew the answer - giving up would only lead to regret. I've learned that I have more to give, even when it feels like I've hit rock bottom.
Despite the pain, fatigue, and cold, I push through, knowing that I've committed myself to a goal.”
Brianna’s exploits have captured attention on both the Irish and international outdoor scene, This year she was nominated for a World Open Water Swimming Award and she walked away with the Breakthrough Achievement Award at the Outsider Awards which were supported by Sport Ireland Outdoors.
“I never truly believed I could win. When my name was announced, a wave of panic washed over me. What would I say? How would I express my gratitude? I’m not really sure what I said when Karen Weekes interviewed me on the night, but I was so happy and still am. I’m still riding the high.
"It might sound cliché, but the energy of the night and the speeches from all the sports people have ignited a fire within me. Winning has expanded my dreams and goals for the year, leaving me filled with happiness and renewed motivation. I'm not just a mom now I'm a marathon swimmer.”