Swimming in open water during a date, Rachael Lilienthal felt something brush across her back. At first she thought it was a kayak. Then she realized it was a huge alligator. Hear what ensues from that point on during this amazing interview. Did an angel save her life? Could Rachael relearn everything in her life after losing a limb? Could she do it with a positive attitude?
Alligator-attack survivor and Masters swimmer Rachael Lilienthal joins the show to share the details of her attack, her road to recovery and the silver linings she recognized along the journey.
Why are alligator attacks on the rise? What can you do to help prevent them?
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MORE ABOUT RACHAEL LILIENTHAL
Rachael Lilienthal is a Masters swimmer who was attacked by a 9-foot alligator while swimming in open water in the Wekiva River near Apopka, Florida in 2015. Racheal lost the majority of her right arm in that attack, and almost her life. Rachael continues to swim and recently took home gold in the 200-meter butterfly at the Rowdy Gaines Short Course Meters Masters Classic meet. Rachael is a Spanish professor at Rollins College in Orlando, Florida, USA.
Episode Topics and Mentions
Alligator attack
Rowdy Gaines Short Course Meters Masters Classic
US Masters Swimming
Rollins College
Ego
Death roll
Canoeing
Boston Marathon bombing
Silver linings
Angels
Assistive devices
Paralympics
Yoga
Breast cancer
Takeaways
Kelly
Maria
“When we approach the day focusing on things to be grateful for, we have a better day; when we have a lot of better days, we have a better life.” -- Rachael Lilienthal
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From this episode’s sponsor:
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