A Community

Why does Reeves think Win the Morning, Win the Day is taking off? “It’s free, I’m not selling anything and it’s a welcoming environment for anyone who wants to step outside their comfort zone,” he says. “I don’t like the sea, I don’t like cold water. But the reason I do this is because it sets me outside my comfort zone.” Challenging yourself, he believes, develops mental resilience, although the sea swim element isn’t essential. People in landlocked areas have been in touch about setting up their own groups. It’s more about getting out of bed, and meeting others.

Win the Morning, Win the Day has connected people at a time when many may have been missing contact with friends and family, and provided a space where the emphasis is on mental health and friendship, not physical fitness or tough challenges. Reeves makes it clear that nobody has to go into the sea if they don’t want to. “I have, and suffer from, poor mental health,” he says. “I know my triggers for that and I know how to look after myself. Some days are OK, some days are bad days, and that’s fine.”

“People have made friendships, some people have stopped drinking. Some people previously wouldn’t go out of the house, some people didn’t like groups. I am immensely proud, not of myself, but of everyone who has made it what it is. I’m not forcing people to be friendly, and to be nice and positive. That’s just what we’ve attracted.”

For the rest of the day, I feel the memory of the chill of seawater on my skin, I am in a good mood, and it does feel as if I am “winning” at something, however intangible. Reeves says: “It’s not about affecting everyone, but that one message I get most days, that says: ‘I really needed that today.’ That’s my job done.” 

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