In terms of world news, 2026 has been a tough year so far.
But then suddenly you come across a story so incredible that it takes your breath away.
Austin Appelbee, a 13 Australian boy, swam for four hours to save his family who had been swept out to the ocean.
Stranded out at sea with her children, his mother had no choice but to ask her eldest son to swim the two and a half miles to shore in order to get help.
Austin put himself on the line, and as he says in the video, he kept telling himself “not today”, and that he had to “keep going”.
He dug deep and reached the shore.
He was so exhausted after finally calling for help that he passed out immediately. Days after he still needed crutches (muletas) to walk.
But the young man had risen to the occasion and had saved his family.
As I write this, I see my young nephews playing as superheroes. One as Batman, the other as Superman.
When they grow up they will realise not all heroes wear capes (capas).
‘I need helicopters, I need planes, I need boats, my family’s out at sea.’ - Austin
This week’s three tips:
SOMETHING TO AVOID 🫣
🤦🏻♀️ “He swimmed for hours”
The verb to swim is irregular. Swim - swam - swum.
✅ “He swam for hours”
When using the web in the past make sure to say swam.
If using in a perfect tense, be sure to say swum.
After he had swum four kilometres he had to run two kilometres more.
SOMETHING TO SOUND CONFIDENT 🧐
👔 Business expressions
“Swim against the tide”
To act differently from most people, or to continue despite strong opposition or resistance.
It’s easy to follow the crowd but it takes real conviction to swim against the tide
SOMETHING TO READ 👀
NEXT STEPS ➡️
Keep learning,
Jack & Krystallo
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