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Rising Above the Waves: Christy Swaid’s Journey of Resilience, Reinvention, and Inspiration
Christy Swaid’s journey is one of resilience, faith, and determination. A six-time World Champion Jet Ski Racer, the founder of multiple businesses, and an advocate for healthy living, Christy has always found a way to rise above life’s challenges. Whether racing through the waves or transforming lives through her nonprofit work and motivational speaking, she’s a force to be reckoned with—one who thrives on breaking barriers.
Born on the south side of Chicago, Christy’s early years were shaped by love and hardship. Her parents’ divorce left her family struggling financially, and she watched her mother work multiple jobs to make ends meet. Relief came when her family moved in with her grandfather, a widower who introduced Christy to the violin, insisting she carry on the family legacy. She took to it with determination, becoming first chair of her school orchestra. But undiagnosed dyslexia made academics challenging, leaving her ineligible for scholarships and struggling to find a way forward.
When visiting her father in Florida, who had started a jet ski rental business, Christy discovered her true calling. Her older brothers, accomplished athletes themselves, challenged her relentlessly on the jet skis. This tough love built the foundation for her confidence. In 1984, she entered her first jet ski race, and her fearless performance caught the attention of the sport’s elites. “I realized racing wasn’t just thrilling—it was an opportunity,” she recalls. “It became my ticket to pay for college and build a future.”
From there, Christy’s rise was meteoric. With the guidance of her coach, Bill Chapin, and the support of her father, she became a pioneer for women in jet ski racing, pushing limits and shattering expectations. But her most recent achievement may be her most remarkable yet. In 2024, Christy set a Guinness World Record as the oldest woman to complete a 15-foot, 9-inch backflip on a stand-up jet ski. The moment was a testament to her grit. “Nine crash landings and countless injuries later, I finally landed it,” she laughs. “The lesson? Never quit. Resilience wins every time.”
Despite retiring from professional sports to focus on her family, Christy never stopped evolving. After marrying neurosurgeon Dr. Swaid N. Swaid and moving to Alabama, she launched HEAL United, a nonprofit addressing childhood obesity and chronic health issues in underserved communities. With programs now reaching over 220 schools and two million households, HEAL has become a lifeline for children facing preventable diseases like diabetes and heart conditions. “Every student we reach, every family we help, is a victory,” she says. “The reward is in the transformation.”
Christy’s newest venture, Checkered Flag Living, emerged from a period of profound personal loss, including the deaths of her mother, coach, and father within two years. Amid the grief, she found herself tasked with end-of-life care, estate management, and supporting her sons as they applied to college—all while navigating the upheaval of the pandemic. Through therapy, faith, and self-reflection, she emerged stronger, channeling her experiences into a life-coaching platform designed to help others find purpose and joy, even in life’s darkest moments. “I want people to know they’re never alone,” she says. “There’s always a way forward.”
Today, Christy is focused on inspiring the next generation through speaking engagements, life coaching, and sharing her story of resilience. Whether addressing corporate audiences, schools, or faith-based communities, her message remains the same: embrace challenges, value teamwork, and live with purpose. “Life is a race,” she says. “The key is to run it with love, kindness, and grit.”
Her story is far from over. As she continues to push boundaries and motivate others, Christy remains a living example of what it means to rise, reinvent, and inspire.
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For More Information contact her publicist:
Jessica@thejkoagency.com
