James Madeley from mydentist shares his experience with year-round cold water swims and how they have benefitted him both personally and professionally.
In the world of dentistry, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is paramount in helping deliver the best possible patient care. For James Madeley, a dedicated dentist with over 12 years of experience, this balance is found in the icy waters of the North Sea.
His extraordinary commitment to daily cold water swimming has not only transformed his personal resilience but also sharpened his professional edge, all while being championed by both his family and his supportive team at mydentist.
From January blues to year-long challenge
James’s journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic, living just two minutes from the beach. However, it was a bout of the ‘January blues’ last year that spurred him to commit to a daily dip in the sea throughout the month.
James shares: ‘I enjoyed the experience and mental challenge so much that I thought I’d see how many consecutive days I could manage. By April, the challenge had evolved into an ambitious goal: a full year of daily sea swims, which I then linked to fundraising for Parkinson’s UK.’
This personal quest, initially for mental invigoration, quickly became a cornerstone of his wellbeing. James firmly believes in the importance of an escape outside of work for all dental professionals.
‘Although I enjoy my daily job, it’s important to switch off with some form of escapism. There’s no better version of this than throwing yourself in the icy, cold sea. Any passion – be it family, sports, or hobbies – is vital for mental rejuvenation.’
Resilience forged in cold water and put into practice
Discussing how the mental fortitude required for daily cold water swimming directly translates into James’s professional life, he comments: ‘Swimming in the sea every day has definitely improved my mental resilience and discipline. I used to lament the fact that there weren’t enough hours in the day, juggling my career in dentistry and a young family. The challenge, however, taught me a profound lesson: there’s always enough time, you just need to be disciplined and dedicated in taking the time for yourself.’
Finding parallels between preparing for a tough swim and a challenging day at work, James continues: ‘It’s taught me not to get so hung up on the tough things that can happen during the day and has helped put the wins and losses into perspective. It’s never going to be as bad as you think it’s going to be. I think it’s important not to overthink, and not to over-exaggerate the worst-case scenarios in your head.’
The physiological benefits of cold water swimming also play a role. James often swims before work, giving him ‘the feeling of control’ and the conviction that ‘if I can throw myself into the cold North Sea, I can do anything!’ This proactive approach allows him to face the day’s challenges in a ‘much more controlled manner’.
Working in a culture of support
What makes James’s story particularly compelling is the unwavering support he’s received from his colleagues. James shares: ‘My colleagues at mydentist both in practice and across the wider business have been great, and supportive throughout. I let them know about my challenge early in the year, and they’ve supported me the whole way. The number of messages I’ve received off people from across the network through the year has blown me away.’
This isn’t just about cheering him on; it speaks volumes about mydentist’s commitment to employee wellbeing. James highlights: ‘mydentist also values the importance of a good work-life balance, and actively encourages flexibility in working hours and patterns, so that we can enjoy our hobbies outside of work.
‘This supportive environment is key and demonstrating how mydentist invests in our holistic health, understanding that a happy, balanced dentist is a better dentist.’
Finding fulfilment
‘Every day is challenging, and it combines my two favourite skills: decision making and talking to people. My favourite part of the job is still my patients, and it’s been a pleasure seeing them now for over 12 years. I find deep satisfaction in my work, coming home feeling happy and fulfilled.
‘I would encourage anyone thinking about taking on a new challenge to take the plunge and dive in wholeheartedly. With my mum having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s recently, I knew I wanted to do something tangible to help Parkinson’s UK and my passion for cold water swimming felt like the perfect connection. I had no idea how far I’d go with the challenge but was determined to stick with it and I’m so glad I did.
‘Through staying consistent, I’ve been able to raise awareness for Parkinson’s UK not only through my own channels and the mydentist network, but also on the BBC in a recent interview, which was an amazing experience. Being interviewed with my mum to tell her story and speak about my swimming challenge was a moment of immense pride.’
A message for fellow professionals
His message to fellow clinicians is clear: resilience and discipline are not natural but cultivated. James concludes: ‘It’s something we all have to work on internally. It can be a tough job a lot of the time, but it’s important to remain confident in yourself and your abilities. This will naturally translate into better overall care for your patients, and a much happier mindset.’
As for 2026, James is still swimming daily. Professionally, his goal is simple: ‘I just want to keep enjoying my work, and as long as I’m driving home from work happy with what I’ve done, and the care I’ve provided, that’ll be enough for me.’
To find out more about the roles currently available at mydentist, please visit: www.mydentist.co.uk/careers/dentist-jobs/early-career-opportunities.
You can also support James and his sea swimming efforts for Parkinson’s UK by donating here: James Madeley is fundraising for Parkinson’s UK.
This article is sponsored by mydentist.
