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21 Yaks and a Speedo - How to achieve your own impossible
A collection of beautifully-told short stories from Lewis Pugh - ocean advocate, pioneer swimmer, and inspirational speaker - about his expeditions and the lessons he learned along the way.
Lewis Pugh knows oceans. He was the first to complete a long distance swim in every ocean of the world, and has pioneered more swims around famous landmarks than any other person in history. He swam across the icy waters of the North Pole to highlight the melting of the Arctic Sea ice, and across a glacial lake on Mount Everest to draw attention to the impact of climate change on the Himalayan glaciers. It was there that he met his first yak.
Trekking behind them up the icy slopes, watching them cross skeletal bridges over dizzying ravines, and listening to them breathe outside his tent each night, Lewis got to think about the things he most admires in a yak. And found that those qualities were not unlike the ones that enabled him to meet his own challenges - and achieve things that people believed to be impossible.
In 21 Yaks and a Speedo, Lewis shares his ability to dream big dreams, build crack teams, and get the job done. You'll be inspired by his devotion to excellence, his loyalty to his crew, and his belief in never giving up.
These are 21 strategies Lewis used to achieve what no one thought was possible. The principles are simple but effective. Stick by them, he says, and you will achieve your own impossible.
Lewis Pugh knows oceans. He was the first to complete a long distance swim in every ocean of the world, and has pioneered more swims around famous landmarks than any other person in history. He swam across the icy waters of the North Pole to highlight the melting of the Arctic Sea ice, and across a glacial lake on Mount Everest to draw attention to the impact of climate change on the Himalayan glaciers. It was there that he met his first yak.
Trekking behind them up the icy slopes, watching them cross skeletal bridges over dizzying ravines, and listening to them breathe outside his tent each night, Lewis got to think about the things he most admires in a yak. And found that those qualities were not unlike the ones that enabled him to meet his own challenges - and achieve things that people believed to be impossible.
In 21 Yaks and a Speedo, Lewis shares his ability to dream big dreams, build crack teams, and get the job done. You'll be inspired by his devotion to excellence, his loyalty to his crew, and his belief in never giving up.
These are 21 strategies Lewis used to achieve what no one thought was possible. The principles are simple but effective. Stick by them, he says, and you will achieve your own impossible.
278 pages, ebook
First published May 3, 2013
23 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Lewis Pugh
3 books7 followersLewis Pugh goes to extremes. As an ocean advocate and pioneer swimmer he's been to the world's most inaccessible places. He's put his body through unimaginably difficult conditions, harnessed the energy that comes from overcoming extraordinary odds, and turned it into fuel for his motivational fire.
Lewis read law at the University of Cape Town and University of Cambridge before working as a maritime lawyer in London for a number of years. In 2003, he left to follow his dream: to protect our oceans.
He is the only person to have completed a long distance swim in every ocean of the world. In 2007 he became the first to undertake a swim across the icy waters of the North Pole. In 2010 he swam across a glacial lake on Mt Everest to draw attention to the melting glaciers in the Himalayas.
To date he has pioneered more swims around famous landmarks than any other swimmer in history. His mission: to raise awareness about the vulnerability of our oceans and their importance to humanity.
Lewis's vivid storytelling style makes him a popular public speaker. His leadership address at the Business Innovation Forum was voted one of the “7 Most Inspiring Videos on the Web”. Many millions of people have viewed his TED talks, and countless others followed him on BBC, Good Morning America, CNN, Jon Stewart, National Geographic, Sky News, Al Jazeera, Jay Leno and more. His autobiography “Achieving the Impossible” is a Bestseller and was chosen for Oprah’s Exclusive Book List.
His awards include France and South Africa’s highest honours, as well as the Freedom of the City of London. In 2010, the World Economic Forum named him a Young Global Leader for his “potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world through inspiring leadership.”
Lewis is currently training in Cape Town for a major expedition to highlight the plight of the world’s oceans. Follow his preparations at http://www.lewispugh.com.
Lewis read law at the University of Cape Town and University of Cambridge before working as a maritime lawyer in London for a number of years. In 2003, he left to follow his dream: to protect our oceans.
He is the only person to have completed a long distance swim in every ocean of the world. In 2007 he became the first to undertake a swim across the icy waters of the North Pole. In 2010 he swam across a glacial lake on Mt Everest to draw attention to the melting glaciers in the Himalayas.
To date he has pioneered more swims around famous landmarks than any other swimmer in history. His mission: to raise awareness about the vulnerability of our oceans and their importance to humanity.
Lewis's vivid storytelling style makes him a popular public speaker. His leadership address at the Business Innovation Forum was voted one of the “7 Most Inspiring Videos on the Web”. Many millions of people have viewed his TED talks, and countless others followed him on BBC, Good Morning America, CNN, Jon Stewart, National Geographic, Sky News, Al Jazeera, Jay Leno and more. His autobiography “Achieving the Impossible” is a Bestseller and was chosen for Oprah’s Exclusive Book List.
His awards include France and South Africa’s highest honours, as well as the Freedom of the City of London. In 2010, the World Economic Forum named him a Young Global Leader for his “potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world through inspiring leadership.”
Lewis is currently training in Cape Town for a major expedition to highlight the plight of the world’s oceans. Follow his preparations at http://www.lewispugh.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 4, 2013
Lewis Pugh is an environmentalist and an endurance swimmer. He is the first person to complete a long-distance swim in every ocean of the world.
Pugh qualified and practised as a maritime lawyer. Pugh realised that he wanted more. His endurance swims turned into a mission to make business and political leaders aware of the impact of climate change.
However, each swim came with a cost. The first was physical.
Swimming in sub-zero temperatures affects the body not only during the swim but afterwards. It not a matter of climbing into a warm shower to get the body temperature back to normal. There was point in the story where Pugh’s body temperature kept decreasing to a near-death situation. Fortunately, Pugh’s body did normalise. It was this incident and many others that made me realise Pugh’s endeavours were beyond the ordinary.
The second cost was literally a financial one. As Pugh put together each expedition, he required sponsorships and a team of people to support him. The world recession almost stopped his environmental campaign but it did provide him with an unexpected opportunity to expand his campaign beyond merely swimming.
Pugh’s experiences bring to light the problems facing our oceans and the various aquatic creatures and people who are dependent on these oceans to survive.
Pugh’s observations of the Yaks he used for his swimming expedition in the Himalayas determined the challenges highlighted in the book. He admired the yaks’ characteristics and discovered that they were no different to the qualities many people needed when facing their own challenges in life.
The book is easy to read, and packs a powerful and inspirational message in each chapter. It goes beyond a man standing in a speedo at the edge of the ice about to dive into a black ocean. It is about achieving the impossible.
Pugh qualified and practised as a maritime lawyer. Pugh realised that he wanted more. His endurance swims turned into a mission to make business and political leaders aware of the impact of climate change.
However, each swim came with a cost. The first was physical.
Swimming in sub-zero temperatures affects the body not only during the swim but afterwards. It not a matter of climbing into a warm shower to get the body temperature back to normal. There was point in the story where Pugh’s body temperature kept decreasing to a near-death situation. Fortunately, Pugh’s body did normalise. It was this incident and many others that made me realise Pugh’s endeavours were beyond the ordinary.
The second cost was literally a financial one. As Pugh put together each expedition, he required sponsorships and a team of people to support him. The world recession almost stopped his environmental campaign but it did provide him with an unexpected opportunity to expand his campaign beyond merely swimming.
Pugh’s experiences bring to light the problems facing our oceans and the various aquatic creatures and people who are dependent on these oceans to survive.
Pugh’s observations of the Yaks he used for his swimming expedition in the Himalayas determined the challenges highlighted in the book. He admired the yaks’ characteristics and discovered that they were no different to the qualities many people needed when facing their own challenges in life.
The book is easy to read, and packs a powerful and inspirational message in each chapter. It goes beyond a man standing in a speedo at the edge of the ice about to dive into a black ocean. It is about achieving the impossible.
November 5, 2018
Ok, to be honest I only decided to read this book because of the title. Who can resist “21 Yaks and a Speedo”? Gets you going, doesn’t it? That said, I quickly realized that this motivational book had some real substance.
Lewis Pugh is a cold water swimmer, who shares the insights that kept him going when all odds dictated that it might be wiser to give up and go home. Through his experiences he has learned key points of inspiration and shares these words of wisdom in his 21 short stories of his accomplishments. And those accomplishments are astounding.
By the age of 37, Pugh, a Britain who spent a good part of his childhood in South Africa, had accomplished what no other person on earth has accomplished to this date: He completed a long distance swim in every ocean of the world. And yes, that does include the Arctic Ocean and and the Southern (Antarctic) Ocean. And he wore only a speedo and eye goggles during the swims. In 2006 he completed a swim of the complete length of the River Thames, climbing out at 10 Downing Street for a meeting with Tony Blair. This guy is serious about swimming.
And not only swimming. He is also serious about protecting the waters in our world, and used his accomplishments to push for protection of our waters.
It was while completing a high altitude swim of a glacial lake on Mount Everest that Pugh was moved to take notice of the humble yak, an animal that keeps plodding on till it reaches the goal. And thus, 21 Yaks and a Speedo came to be.
The book is well written, interesting and informative. I’d recommend it to anyone with a goal. It can help you focus your vision and achieve the things you were born to do. Or maybe you’ll just get a laugh out of the title. Either way, happy reading!
Lewis Pugh is a cold water swimmer, who shares the insights that kept him going when all odds dictated that it might be wiser to give up and go home. Through his experiences he has learned key points of inspiration and shares these words of wisdom in his 21 short stories of his accomplishments. And those accomplishments are astounding.
By the age of 37, Pugh, a Britain who spent a good part of his childhood in South Africa, had accomplished what no other person on earth has accomplished to this date: He completed a long distance swim in every ocean of the world. And yes, that does include the Arctic Ocean and and the Southern (Antarctic) Ocean. And he wore only a speedo and eye goggles during the swims. In 2006 he completed a swim of the complete length of the River Thames, climbing out at 10 Downing Street for a meeting with Tony Blair. This guy is serious about swimming.
And not only swimming. He is also serious about protecting the waters in our world, and used his accomplishments to push for protection of our waters.
It was while completing a high altitude swim of a glacial lake on Mount Everest that Pugh was moved to take notice of the humble yak, an animal that keeps plodding on till it reaches the goal. And thus, 21 Yaks and a Speedo came to be.
The book is well written, interesting and informative. I’d recommend it to anyone with a goal. It can help you focus your vision and achieve the things you were born to do. Or maybe you’ll just get a laugh out of the title. Either way, happy reading!
October 20, 2020
Really inspirational read
I really enjoyed this, I believe that it is well written & really keeps you reading and turning the pages.
I loved the humours & entertaining way it is written.
I also love all the inspirational quotes & have written some out & pinned them up to remind me.
This really shows what amazing things can be accomplished when you don't give up on your dreams & keep on going no matter how difficult it gets.
I really enjoyed this, I believe that it is well written & really keeps you reading and turning the pages.
I loved the humours & entertaining way it is written.
I also love all the inspirational quotes & have written some out & pinned them up to remind me.
This really shows what amazing things can be accomplished when you don't give up on your dreams & keep on going no matter how difficult it gets.
June 26, 2013
I went and bought this book after hearing an interview on the radio. I was so amazed at what I was hearing that I pulled into the first Mall I could find and went and bought it. I did not want to get the Kindle version as he suggested that once you had read the book you should pass it on to a child to read. I carried the book around for 2 weeks waiting for an opportunity to read. I decided I needed some inspiration and made time, and oh boy am I glad I did that. It took me about 5 hours and I was done. As Lewis said in his book, if you can take one more step, then take it, so I thought if I could read one more page, I would - but I ran out of pages and cannot wait to get his other book. Lewis Pugh is an amazing story teller. 21 Yaks and a Speedo is a really easy reading book - once you start you cannot stop. 21 stories that are so brilliantly told and each with such a valuable lesson. The most inspirational book I have ever read.
March 30, 2018
Motivational books are a dime a dozen. Just look on the shelves of your local bookstore, or in the category listings at Amazon. However, few of them are by people as accomplished as Lewis Pugh, who has taken on defending the Earth through extreme swims, and done so successfully.
Pugh tells the story of a number of his remarkable swim feats and draws analogies for taking on difficult points in one's own life. From someone less accomplished, these would be platitudes. From Lewis Pugh, they ring true.
Pugh tells the story of a number of his remarkable swim feats and draws analogies for taking on difficult points in one's own life. From someone less accomplished, these would be platitudes. From Lewis Pugh, they ring true.
July 30, 2020
Tales of Grit, Passion & Challenging the Status-Quo
So far, my favourite book to ever read.
Such an incredible piece of literature about an incredible human being achieving great feats and teaching the lessons that he’s learned through his endeavours. When reading the book, I've witnessed myself wincing more than once. At points, you can't help but wonder: ''how can a human being achieve that? Is this guy even human?'' and your starstruck mind just comes zooming and crashing down when you eventually reach the passages where he tells you that, he too, was scared and unsteady.
The amazing thing about this book, is that it ''hard-resets'' your mind and pushes you to do run after your dreams NOW. The whole piece is a testament to the power of the mind and what you can achieve when you rip the moorings, grab the hand-wheel and take control of your life. It teaches lessons similar to Goggins' ''Can't Hurt Me'' which further cement the idea that these lessons are universal laws of success.
Plus, the book is designed a bit like Lafontaine's fables. One story lasts 3-4 pages on average, so you hardly get bored (that is, if it is possible while reading this book, I doubt so).
A very inspiring read, something that marked me deeply and that triggered and inspired lasting and radically positive change for myself, and that, for decades to come.
So far, my favourite book to ever read.
Such an incredible piece of literature about an incredible human being achieving great feats and teaching the lessons that he’s learned through his endeavours. When reading the book, I've witnessed myself wincing more than once. At points, you can't help but wonder: ''how can a human being achieve that? Is this guy even human?'' and your starstruck mind just comes zooming and crashing down when you eventually reach the passages where he tells you that, he too, was scared and unsteady.
The amazing thing about this book, is that it ''hard-resets'' your mind and pushes you to do run after your dreams NOW. The whole piece is a testament to the power of the mind and what you can achieve when you rip the moorings, grab the hand-wheel and take control of your life. It teaches lessons similar to Goggins' ''Can't Hurt Me'' which further cement the idea that these lessons are universal laws of success.
Plus, the book is designed a bit like Lafontaine's fables. One story lasts 3-4 pages on average, so you hardly get bored (that is, if it is possible while reading this book, I doubt so).
A very inspiring read, something that marked me deeply and that triggered and inspired lasting and radically positive change for myself, and that, for decades to come.
November 8, 2023
As I write this, I'm sitting in 25C with the sun high in the sky, but back home, it's cold, wet, and at the beginning of the ice swimming season. When I get home, I will be partaking in some cold and hopefully ice swims, albeit not on the same league as this heroic man.
This book is motivating and inspirational and makes you want to achieve greatness or, as lewis puts in, your own impossible. I initially read this book as Lewis is a hero of mine, and hopefully, reading about his exploits would give me an added boost to complete my own Channel Swim.
However, after reading it, it's more than that. I firmly believe this book should be read by anyone as the lessons you are presented with can be translated into everyday life.
It's a series of short stories, and each story has a profound lesson that I think once you understand and follow, you truly can achieve anything you put your mind to.
This book is motivating and inspirational and makes you want to achieve greatness or, as lewis puts in, your own impossible. I initially read this book as Lewis is a hero of mine, and hopefully, reading about his exploits would give me an added boost to complete my own Channel Swim.
However, after reading it, it's more than that. I firmly believe this book should be read by anyone as the lessons you are presented with can be translated into everyday life.
It's a series of short stories, and each story has a profound lesson that I think once you understand and follow, you truly can achieve anything you put your mind to.
March 29, 2019
A readable, highly motivational book. There are so many books on the market just now for self development, but Lewis Pugh is able to deliver advice with credibility across these 21 chapters as he retells some of his phenomenal triumphs in endurance swimming. I enjoyed it.
December 30, 2023
An easy read and a book that can inspire young and old and coaches alike by inspirational Lewis Pugh He highlights how he uses his swims as a platform to advocate for the protection of marine environments and to highlight the urgent need for action on climate change.
January 30, 2019
Entertaining, Insightful and Inspiring
A book that can inspire young and old athletes and coaches alike. Practical tips for life and in any sport.
A book that can inspire young and old athletes and coaches alike. Practical tips for life and in any sport.
October 16, 2019
No pics of swimming (or yaks) and what started as inspiring soon became self-indulgent.
May 31, 2025
I read a chapter at the start of each day in order to savour every sentence and lesson in the book. Every chapter has its own wisdom and inspiration.
This would make a great coffee table book
This would make a great coffee table book
September 12, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed "21 Yaks and a Speedo" and rate it as one of my favourite reads for 2013. I am also very fortunate to have a signed copy which makes it a treasure.
For anyone unfamiliar with Lewis Pugh, he is British-born with strong South African links having emigrated to South Africa with his family when he was 10 years old. He schooled in Cape Town and then studied politics and law at University of Cape Town (UCT).
Lewis is a pioneer swimmer (the first person to complete a long-distance swim in every ocean) and environmental campaigner. Overall he is a very accomplished individual.
He often swims in areas with fragile eco-systems to highlight and draw attention to their plight with examples being his swim across a glacial lake at the summit of Mount Everest as well as at the North Pole to highlight the melting Arctic sea ice.
The moment in the book that I enjoyed most albeit it that it was haunting, disturbing and poignant was his swim across Whalers Bay in the Southern Ocean. The water wasn't very deep and while Lewis was swimming he could see the skeleton graveyard beneath him indicating why Whalers Bay had earned it the name. This moment was the turning point in his life that boosted him to campaign for the environment - and the seas in particular.
Lewis has drawn on all his travels, adventures, challenges and triumphs and balanced it beautifully but sharing the lessons he has learnt whilst on his journeys.
His inspirations can easily be applied to anyone (you dont have to be a sportsman at the top of your game to enjoy this book) because his lessons are wide ranging.
It is clear he is very determined, knows how to visualise his goals, he doesn't take things for granted, perseveres and has a great deal of courage.
I hope I will get a chance to meet him in person one day soon!
For anyone unfamiliar with Lewis Pugh, he is British-born with strong South African links having emigrated to South Africa with his family when he was 10 years old. He schooled in Cape Town and then studied politics and law at University of Cape Town (UCT).
Lewis is a pioneer swimmer (the first person to complete a long-distance swim in every ocean) and environmental campaigner. Overall he is a very accomplished individual.
He often swims in areas with fragile eco-systems to highlight and draw attention to their plight with examples being his swim across a glacial lake at the summit of Mount Everest as well as at the North Pole to highlight the melting Arctic sea ice.
The moment in the book that I enjoyed most albeit it that it was haunting, disturbing and poignant was his swim across Whalers Bay in the Southern Ocean. The water wasn't very deep and while Lewis was swimming he could see the skeleton graveyard beneath him indicating why Whalers Bay had earned it the name. This moment was the turning point in his life that boosted him to campaign for the environment - and the seas in particular.
Lewis has drawn on all his travels, adventures, challenges and triumphs and balanced it beautifully but sharing the lessons he has learnt whilst on his journeys.
His inspirations can easily be applied to anyone (you dont have to be a sportsman at the top of your game to enjoy this book) because his lessons are wide ranging.
It is clear he is very determined, knows how to visualise his goals, he doesn't take things for granted, perseveres and has a great deal of courage.
I hope I will get a chance to meet him in person one day soon!
August 9, 2013
I loved the story telling style of this book and the easy reading style and language make the content so accessible to children.
Sincerity and passion come through in each chapter, coupled with a humbleness of the author.
The selection of the qualities/principles covered are things that we can all relate to and aspire towards.
Lewis also gives constant acknowledgement to those that support and motivate him and who help to make the expeditions possible. It is refreshing to hear his gratitude for the experiences and opportunities he has had.
The level of commitment and perseverance shared give all of us encouragement to persevere when we face challenges.
A wonderful and inspirational read!
Sincerity and passion come through in each chapter, coupled with a humbleness of the author.
The selection of the qualities/principles covered are things that we can all relate to and aspire towards.
Lewis also gives constant acknowledgement to those that support and motivate him and who help to make the expeditions possible. It is refreshing to hear his gratitude for the experiences and opportunities he has had.
The level of commitment and perseverance shared give all of us encouragement to persevere when we face challenges.
A wonderful and inspirational read!
August 31, 2013
I am a huge fan of Lewish Pugh, following him on social Networks and hoping to meet him one day. Having read his first book a year ago, I was really excited to read 21 Yaks and a Speedo. And I was certainly not disappointed, having read it in one sitting and hoping to read it again soon. This book has inspired me and motivated me to start doing so many things. Having also just reached a milestone age and feeling a little older, I really want to now use his teachings to once again get back on track and achieve my dreams. I hope the next book comes soon.
June 26, 2013
I have never been interested in Geography....the tales and adventures of Lewis Pugh are extremely gripping, easy to read and teach both life lessons and raise global awareness at the same time. A truly unique combination in an easy to read and entertaining fashion. Definitely a worthwhile investment which I hope will inspire many to stand up and face life's Goliath's.
March 9, 2016
Pugh is a long distance swimmer who, while swimming in extreme conditions, discovers that the oceans and ice caps are in need of human respect to ensure their continued existence. The environmental plea is combined with motivational messages that are worth using. Unfortunately, his melodramatic recount far outweighed the value of the messages.
September 16, 2016
This truly is an exceptionally interesting read... just for the sheer craziness of some of Lewis Pugh's feats. Very easy read with short chapters makes it a quick read. I read this book while trying to learn to swim and it was highly inspirational. I also love that he's such a vocal advocate for climate change... we need people like this on the planet.
A must read!
A must read!
May 14, 2013
Lewis's book is a stunning collection of well told short stories. And he has some amazing stories to tell. Best of all he ends each chapter with a "lesson" that one can use in one's own life. It is a book that I will keep on my bedside table to read over and over again!
October 3, 2013
"21 Yaks and a Speedo" is a record of courage, strength and commitment that should be made a compulsory read for children and adults everywhere. It is our responsibility to understand why Lewis Pugh is doing this and to take note, our future depends on it!
January 30, 2014
This guy is amazing! His passion is so inspiring, especially since it touches the things close to my heart; environment, oceans, swimming and of course he is a South African. I love the way he has embraced the African way of using stories to teach lessons and he tells really good stories...
May 20, 2013
True role models are hard to find. Well Lewis Pugh is a superb role model. Read his book, because what he has achieved does seem impossible.
I think he knows what he is talking about!
I think he knows what he is talking about!
October 21, 2013
Love the way he speaks- love the way he writes. He looks pretty good too! Well done Lewis this one is a blockbuster.
December 19, 2014
This book motivates you on every page. I want to read it a second time with sticky notes to mark my favourite parts.
It reads very quickly and easily.
It reads very quickly and easily.
May 19, 2014
Truly Inspirational
August 2, 2015
Truly inspiring
February 12, 2016
Inspirational, entertaining and simple to read. I bought this for my eleven year old son, I'm sure he's going to enjoy it too.
April 28, 2016
Very educative laced with real life experiences and succinctly told .
January 4, 2015
A short but inspirational story from an unassuming man who is changing the world.
February 2, 2015
an amazing motivational book. such an inspiring book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews