The Marathon Swimmer

Marathon runner Cristina Mariani-May, a proprietor of Castello Banfi, a Tuscan vineyard estate, and co-CEO of Banfi Vintners, a U.S. wine importer, turned to swimming after being sidelined by a hamstring injury. The only problem was that she was not a good swimmer. Craving an endorphin fix, she jumped into the pool during her children's swim camp and began swimming laps trailing behind 9-year-olds. Taken under the wing of the children's swim coach, he encouraged her to keep practicing. When the coach died, she committed to keep swimming, later joining a U.S. Masters Swimming program, and worked out with All-American swimmers and triathletes. Not only did she prove to her children with the right discipline and mindset, you can accomplish anything, but Cristina improved her marathon performances.

Commission for The Wall Street Journal