Christy Swaid’s remarkable journey as a elite athlete, entrepreneur, and children’s health advocate showcases the strength of resilience and the significance of pursuing one’s passions.
“Engaging in activities that resonate with you significantly enhances your quality of life,” explains Swaid, the founder and CEO of HEAL (Healthy Eating Active Living) United, an initiative committed to enhancing children’s health.
Raised in Chicago’s south side, Swaid, now 54, faced early adversity and hardship. Following her parents’ separation, she relocated with her mother and two older brothers to her maternal grandfather’s residence.
“My grandfather championed farm-to-table principles, so we grew up enjoying natural foods,” she recalls. “We spent a lot of our childhood outdoors.” This upbringing seeded the idea for HEAL United.
Racing through life
Meanwhile, her father reestablished himself in Florida by launching a jet ski rental business, where Swaid and her siblings worked during summertime.
“During our downtime, we would have a blast on the equipment,” Swaid recalls. “At 13, my dad let me enter a [jet ski] race,” which piqued the interest of a team manager, propelling her into amateur racing and leading her to clinch her first championship two years later.
In 1989, after completing high school early, Swaid embarked on her first professional race in California. “To everyone’s surprise, including my own, I won,” she shares.
By the end of her impressive decade-long racing journey, she had achieved the title of a six-time world champion and stood as the most successful female competitor in the sport’s history.
“Over that decade, I experienced both triumphs and severe challenges,” she reflects. “Yet, those hardships became invaluable lessons.”
Championing children’s well-being
After concluding her professional racing career, Swaid shifted her focus toward new ventures, including volunteering with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, where she promoted safety in jet skiing and boating. “This experience taught me about advocacy and the importance of helping others,” she explains.
Upon relocating from California to Alabama with her husband, Swaid sought opportunities to make a meaningful impact. Aiming to combat the alarming obesity rates among youth, she dedicated herself to instilling healthy lifestyle habits in children, leading to the establishment of HEAL United.
From day one, scientific research formed the backbone of HEAL’s curriculum, equipping children with heart rate monitors to provide personalized feedback on their physical activity levels.
“The kids were instantly drawn to the heart monitors,” notes Swaid. “They enjoyed racing in place, showing me their heart rates, and then working to lower them.”
HEAL United originally began in 10 schools targeting nine-year-olds, but now it extends its reach to over 45,000 students across more than 200 K-12 institutions in Alabama.
According to Swaid, the lessons imparted by HEAL United are beneficial throughout all life stages, enabling individuals to maintain their passions as they age.
“I often think about what I truly enjoy doing, such as riding my jet ski at exhilarating speeds with my sons,” she shares. “Having an enjoyable goal motivates me to put in the effort.”
Embracing aging with grace
Swaid continues to flourish, not only through her work with HEAL but also via her other company, Checkered Flag Living LLC (CFL), which focuses on sharing narratives of resilience.
CFL emerged from the challenges Swaid faced in recent years, including the passing of her mother in 2020. “I had no idea how much I depended on her until she was gone,” Swaid shares. “I am still navigating through that grief.”
This loss was compounded by the deaths of her father and racing coach, leading her to feel nearly incapacitated, as if joy had left her life, despite “Joy” being her middle name. “I struggled to find my way back from such a dark place,” she admits.
“When I finally sought therapy, I learned you cannot sidestep pain,” she says. “You must confront it, which requires bravery and nurturing support.”
Swaid continues to seek renewal and reinvention and inspires others to do the same by emphasizing the importance of recognizing and sharing their unique offerings, be it organizing events, baking, or simply lending a listening ear.
“Finding an avenue to showcase your talents is essential; that’s where you start to feel whole,” she states.
This article was originally featured in the May 2025 edition of Thewindowsclubs magazine.
