Soul Is Waterproof

Adventure Swimming and Stories of Water

By: Matthew Moseley

Narrated by: Matthew Moseley

Matthew Moseley has a passion for long-distance swims in sometimes-treacherous waters. In the early morning darkness of June 27, 2021, he wades into the Green River and begins the first-ever 52-mile swim where its waters meet those of the Colorado River in Canyonlands National Park.

Stroke by stroke, Moseley invites you on his journey, as he encounters expected and unexpected adventures along the way. He shares his unique connection to the rivers, lakes, and oceans he swims and the historical and literary luminaries who deepened his appreciation of life in, on, and around water. Facing his greatest test of endurance yet, he also confronts the harsh new reality of the climate crisis in the American West. As we follow Moseley on swimming adventures around the world—from New Orleans, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, the Colorado River, the Sea of Galilee, and points between—he becomes an Ambassador for Water, passing along essential lessons about adaptability and durability. He shows us why water—either too little or too much—will be the defining issue of our times.

His account is a meditation on, a celebration of, and a love story with Earth's life-giving resource. Listening to Soul Is Waterproof is like being on Moseley's support boat as stories and characters unfold around every bend. Put your life vest on and buckle up.

©2023 Matthew L. Moseley (P)2023 Matthew L. Moseley

Critic reviews

"Mind boggling... Maybe we need some level of human craziness to make people realize there is a huge and growing problem with our water and rivers that supply it." (Pete McBride, National Geographic photographer and journalist)

"One of the world's most accomplished open water swimmers." (Outdoor Swimmer magazine)

"Matthew seamlessly connects incongruent topics—unprecedented swimming adventures down rivers, across lakes, and in turbulent seas with historical facts and profound literary passages. His experiences point out mankind's need to adapt and survive in a world that increasingly has either too much or too little water in too many places. His voice rings loudly to those who listen, but his message is also a prophetic warning to those who may not." (Steven Munatones, founder of the World Open Water Swimming Association)