Bonnie Hancock

You've only ever been a sprint iron woman.

What evidence do you have to suggest you can do this thing?

And it was the other side saying, I know all of that, but if I can find a way to keep moving forward, even if that's slowly and painfully, maybe I can get this done.

Music was absolutely crucial on this.

And I know music means a lot to a lot of people and so many of our really passionate

beautiful memories and um you know childhood memories are kind of you can associate certain songs it kind of takes a sentimental it's the same with me for this paddle when I hear certain songs it takes me back to a certain time in the paddle uh rap music was my go-to choice because that you know fast tempo um I love as I said writing and words so the lyrics is what

that keeps me engaged.

There were certain times where my crewmate Jamie would load up my headphones with a playlist of house music, you know, no lyrics all day, if that's what I was feeling.

So it was kind of leaning into what I was feeling that day.

And sometimes, as I say, it was the dulcet tones of Vance Joy that would keep me company all day.

And in the scary, scary waters, sometimes that beautiful, calming music, that's what I actually put on.

But

But most of the time it was quite hardcore.

Hardcore rap to keep you beefed up.

Yeah, it was such an interesting time.

I actually put 15 kilos on leading in in the six months.

I knew as a dietician I wouldn't be able to meet the 6,000 calories plus required.

I also knew the water's freezing at the bottom of the country.

It's nine degrees in the middle of the Great Australian Bight.

And if I went into that underweight, there was a very real risk of getting hypothermia.