What is a Good Life? #179 - Trust, Water & Rewilding with Daniel Allen-Hörnfeldt
About this episode
Daniel Allen-Hörnfeldt discusses his journey from a high-pressure lifestyle in London to a more fulfilling life in northern Sweden, emphasizing themes of trust and community.
In this episode, Dan talks with Mark about trading 80-90 hour work weeks and a self-medicating lifestyle in London for the forests and lakes of northern Sweden. He shares how his father's death became a turning point, how cold water swimming became a doorway back into his body, and how a small group of friends turned a Sunday morning dip into a movement. The conversation explores trust, surrender, community, and what it means to dissolve the "thick border" between yourself and the world. Dan Allen-Hörnfeldt is Chairman of Umeå Kallbad, a community swimming and sauna association recently named one of Sweden's best places to visit in 2026, and Head of Nature for People at Rewilding Sweden. A former GB triathlete, he spent fifteen years in restaurants and pubs, winning two Michelin Bib Gourmands and twice being named London's Best Pub, before building a nationally recognised restaurant in northern Sweden with his wife. He has also competed at an elite level in open-water and ice swimming, including a podium finish at the Ice Swimming World Cup. Learn more about Dan Allen-Hörnfeldt's work: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danallenhornfeldt/ Umeå: https://umeakallbad.se/ For more…
More episodes of What is a Good Life?
- What is a Good Life? #184 - Resting in the Core of My Identity with Dr. Miriam Meckel
- What is a Good Life? #183 - When Fear Becomes My Partner with Ralf Wetzel
- What is a Good Life? #182 - Cities That Make Us Happier with Lior Steinberg
- What is a Good Life? #181 - Finding Peace Within Myself with Kadam Adam Starr
- What is a Good Life? #180 - The Art of a Meaningful Life with Karen L. Jacob, PhD
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