About
Anna Wardley

The sea has been part of Anna’s life for as long as she can remember.

Growing up, she sailed with her father aboard the family's wooden sailing boat, Algypug, first on the River Humber and later in the Mediterranean. Those early experiences fostered a lifelong connection with the sea that has shaped both her personal journey and professional work.

When Anna was nine years old, her father took his own life. The impact of that loss has profoundly influenced her life and inspired a commitment to understanding how people navigate adversity, heal from trauma and find meaning after life's most difficult experiences.

Over the years, the sea has remained both a place of challenge and healing. Whether crossing oceans, swimming through the night, coaching people in open water or facilitating TRE® (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises), Anna has continually explored the relationship between challenge, resilience and growth.

In 2002, she completed a 38,000-mile circumnavigation as part of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, spending almost a year at sea aboard a 60-foot ocean racing yacht. Later, after teaching herself front crawl in her thirties, she went on to complete some of the world's most demanding open-water swims, including the English Channel, the Strait of Gibraltar, the Hellespont from Europe to Asia, the Catalina Channel in California and a solo non-stop circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight.

Today, Anna works as a speaker, open water coach and TRE® facilitator, helping individuals, teams and organisations explore how challenge can become a pathway to healing, connection and growth. Drawing on lived experience, evidence-informed practice and lessons learned through a lifetime connected to the sea, she brings a grounded and compassionate perspective on adversity, wellbeing and post-traumatic growth.

At the heart of Anna's work is a belief that even life's most difficult experiences can become catalysts for growth, connection and positive change. Through her speaking, coaching and facilitation, she helps people move beyond survival and towards a deeper sense of purpose, possibility and wellbeing.

Highlights

Speaking, writing and thought leadership

Delivered the TEDx talk When the Tide Turns (2025), exploring healing, resilience and growth through challenge.
Presented the BBC Radio 4 Four Thought talk After a Parent Dies by Suicide (2023), sharing personal insights into the long-term impact of suicide bereavement and the importance of support for children and young people.
Awarded a Churchill Fellowship (2019) to investigate international approaches to supporting children following parental suicide.
Published Time to Count, a report highlighting opportunities to improve support for children and young people bereaved by suicide in the UK.
Authored a chapter in Finding Light in the Darkness, a collection of stories exploring resilience, healing and overcoming adversity.

Social Impact and leadership

Founded Luna Foundation, a social enterprise dedicated to transforming support for children and young people affected by suicide.
Received the Viscount De L'Isle Award (2022), presented by The Rt Hon Sir Nicholas Soames, recognising the Churchill Fellow judged most determined to succeed for the direct benefit of others.
Named in the WISE100 list of the UK's leading female social entrepreneurs.
Selected as a Shackleton Leader (2022), recognising individuals who embody courage, resilience and leadership in the face of adversity.

Sea and adventure

Sailed 38,000 miles around the world as part of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race (2002).
Completed some of the world's most challenging open-water swims, including the English Channel, Strait of Gibraltar, the Hellespont (Europe to Asia), Catalina Channel (California) and a solo non-stop circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight.
Became only the fourth person to swim solo and non-stop around the Isle of Wight, covering 103km in 26 hours and 33 minutes.
Awarded the Channel Swimming Association's Van Audenaerde Trophy for the Greatest Feat of Endurance following her English Channel crossing.
Raised over £125,000 for mental health, suicide prevention and hope-based charities through endurance swim challenges.