Swimming has many benefits, some of which we explored in an inspirational conversation with Amber Fillary. Swimming 90 metres under 34cm of ice in a bikini, Amber Fillary is a Guinness World Record holder and an under-ice female freediving world record holder. Her story is more significant than these achievements, though.
“I’ve always loved the water,” says Amber. “I swam seriously in school and got my Western Province colours. Until my mental health issues put an end to that.”
From the age of 15, Amber battled with anorexia, bulimia, depression and addiction. She spent her early 20s in and out of rehab. There was an overdose as well as suicide attempts.
A near-fatal car accident while driving drunk was her rock bottom. She has been managing her addictions with exercise and AA meetings ever since. Amber is now 13 years sober.
“At the moment, I am the most stable I have ever been, and I give credit to medication and exercise for this. AA meetings have been a lifesaver. My psychiatrist has been amazing, and so have the good friends who have been there to support me.”
Exercise has been the best therapy. It’s helped me with stress and made me feel more comfortable in my body.
Exercise has changed her perspective on life and contributed to her personal growth. “Exercise has been the best therapy,” she says. “It’s helped me with stress and made me feel more comfortable in my body. I have also met great people through exercise and shared some exceptional experiences.”
One of those experiences is freediving. Amber discovered it while on holiday at the Red Sea in Egypt. At 40 years old and having always wanted to try it – ever since watching the movie The Big Blue – Amber gave it a go.
She burst both eardrums.
True to her resilient nature, Amber persisted with a pool freediving course and broke SA’s pool freediving records. Since then, she’s been on a mission to stay underwater longer. The driving force behind this is to raise awareness of the mental health issues plaguing so many of us.
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On 29 February 2020, in Oslo, Norway, with a new-found purpose and having taken control of her addictions, Amber broke the Guinness World Record for the longest under-ice swim, breath held—no fins, weight belt, or wetsuit in sub-zero water—achieving a distance of 70 metres. Two years later, on 5 March 2022, Amber broke her record, swimming 90 metres in Kongsberg, Norway.
As the female record holder, Amber now has her sights set on the outright record, which will see her pushing herself to reach 100 metres in 2024. She will be training at our clubs for this feat.
“I currently hold two world records. One is for the longest walk underwater on one breath (106.60 metres), and the other is for the longest dive under ice in a swimming costume on one breath. I feel removed from my records but am proud of achieving them nonetheless.”
She’d like to share the message with readers: “Nothing is impossible. Scary, but face the challenge and fear and do it.”
All the pool work, the hours spent working on breath-hold techniques, and the training in the gym aren’t just for Amber, though. They’re to help others like her who may struggle to find their voice. Because of her personal battles with mental health and addiction, Amber has a lot more empathy, understanding, and patience, which allows her to really be there for others.
“Don’t stay silent. Reach out to others for help,” she urges. “The saddest thing with addiction is that there is always a lot of denial and avoidance. To get through this can take time and patience. I hope I can inspire people to follow their dreams, take on challenges, and embrace life.”
Amber’s message is clear: “Nothing is impossible. Scary, but face the challenge and fear, and do it.” Amber Fillary’s incredible journey from battling mental health issues to breaking world records is evidence of the power of resilience and the transformative impact of exercise.
Visit Virgin Active gym near you, and let’s take a breath and dive into life with courage and determination, just like Amber. Enjoy our gyms’ heated swimming pools and expert swimming lessons if you are new to swimming.