We all love stories, don't we? Especially when they're real and about someone whose life seems extraordinary to us, even if they see it as usual. Today, I bring you the story of Julie Madison, who blew me away with her depth and uniqueness when I visited her cozy home in Bradenton.
Julie owns and operates TOP Tier K9 Bradenton and Sarasota, a premiere dog training system. She has been a dog trainer for the last year and a half, but her experience with dogs started much earlier. Ever since she was 15, she has been working with dogs. Julie began in rescue, putting in over 300 hours during high school, doing volunteer work with different dogs, including socialization, rescue, rehabilitation, and placing dogs with the correct families.
Julie has also always been a swimmer. In high school, she was a distance swimmer. After she graduated, she stopped swimming for a few years due to life's demands. However, she got back into swimming because she was getting out of shape and heading in the wrong direction. At that point, she was probably 30 or 40 pounds overweight and realized she wouldn't be happy if she continued on that path. So, she started swimming again, even though she wasn't fast or strong at first. She got into the water and swam a few laps each day. She committed to swimming as far and as fast as she could every day, gradually building up her endurance.
About two years into this routine, a friend suggested she try open-water swimming, believing she was too good to swim in the pool. At first, Julie was hesitant because the pool was a comfortable bubble without concerns about wind, weather, or creatures like turtles and snakes. Eventually, she decided to try open-water swimming. Her first experience was in the Connecticut River, where the water temperature was about 65 degrees. She instantly fell in love with the challenge of fighting the current. For the next few years, she primarily focused on open-water swimming, training by swimming upstream for hours, often barely moving forward. This type of training built incredible mental and physical endurance.
Julie's goal was to stay fit enough to do any physical activity whenever she wanted. She swam between three and six hours daily, doing ultra-marathon swims. However, she had to cut back on swimming when she started her business. Despite this, her training had prepared her well for challenges like the Longboat Key swim, where she felt overtrained and ready.
Julie got into dog training more seriously after her divorce. She has a lot of dog experience and has trained her service dogs using the Top Tier K9 program. She fell in love with their program and realized that a large part of why her marriage fell apart was because she learned to set precise boundaries and communicate effectively. After her divorce, she decided to figure out her next step and already had the certifications from Top Tier K9. Julie became the first franchisee, and now there are ten franchises nationwide. She loves the program and sees fantastic results with her clients, transforming their relationships with their dogs in just four weeks.
Her background in rescue helped her build strong relationships with dogs, and she can teach others how to do the same. Her training is transferable; she can teach people to relate to dogs like she does. Training owners is a big part of her job, ensuring they are on the same page as their pets. Her swim coaching experience also helped, as she learned to work with different types of learners.
One of Julie's most memorable swims was around Siesta Key, lasting 18 hours and 20 minutes on June 4, 2024. Despite numerous challenges, including jellyfish and a flipped kayak, she focused on reaching her goal. Julie swam for about 14 hours when her support kayak flipped over, losing her navigation and food. She continued swimming, knowing she couldn't stop and wait. Julie swam without navigation or support for two and a half hours in the dark. She knew sharks were likely somewhere around but couldn't see them. This experience taught her the importance of mental fortitude and focus.
Julie drinks juice and almond milk every 20 minutes during her swims to maintain her energy and body heat. The almond milk absorbs faster than regular milk, helping her get her calories and carbs quickly.
Psychologically, Julie finds that staying mentally focused and not thinking about being tired is crucial. When faced with challenges, she focuses on her goal and stays calm to avoid panic. She believes that if she starts thinking about what could go wrong, it will affect her performance. Instead, she maintains a predator mentality, knowing she can get through it.
Julie's swim training is intense. For example, she swam for 14 hours in rough conditions, and her support kayak flipped over, leaving her without navigation or food. She kept swimming, driven by the goal of reaching the support boat. This experience taught her the importance of mental fortitude and focus.
In open-water swimming, it's crucial to stay mentally focused and not think about being tired. When faced with challenges, Julie focuses on her goal and stays calm to avoid panic. This mindset helps her in her business and other areas of life. Swimming has become a hobby for her, even though she didn't train specifically for her last swim. She relies on her nutrition and past training to get through challenging swims. During long swims, her body is in pain, but she stays focused on the opportunity and the support from her crew.
Julie's next swim will probably be around the same time next year. She plans to ratify her swim with the Marathon Swimming Federation and aims to set a world record for the most extended circumnavigation. She continues to push her limits and embrace life's challenges, inspiring others along the way.
Julie Madison's story shows dedication, resilience, and the pursuit of passion. Whether through her work with dogs or her incredible swimming feats, she inspires others to push their limits and embrace life's challenges. You can visit Julie's social media pages to follow her future swims and learn more about her journey.
Julie helped to train my KAZ and I could not recommend her enough. My pup can go anywhere with me and I never have to worry that he will not do exactly what is expected of him. I love Julie!