What if I can?

Jeannie Zappe is a motivational speaker, open water swimmer, swim coach, and founder of Eternal Optimist, LLC, based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Through powerful storytelling rooted in perseverance, reinvention, resilience, leadership, and optimism, Jeannie inspires audiences to embrace challenge, pursue purpose, and redefine what is possible at every stage of life.

At the age of 56, Jeannie completed the prestigious Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming — a globally recognized endurance achievement that includes:

• A 29-mile swim around Manhattan Island

• A 21-mile crossing of the English Channel

• A 21-mile crossing of the Catalina Channel

In completing the Triple Crown, Jeannie became the 287th person and the 112th woman in history to achieve this milestone.

.What IF you can?
Her English Channel crossing on September 6, 2021, became a defining moment in both her athletic and personal journey.
Swimming from Dover, England to Wissant, France in 14 hours and 55 minutes,
Jeannie became the 707th woman since 1926 to successfully cross the English Channel.
At 55 years old, she was also approximately 20 years older than the average successful Channel swimmer.

What began as an endurance challenge became something much deeper — a story about courage, reinvention, mindset, and the power of surrounding yourself with people who believe in you.

That experience ultimately inspired the creation of Eternal Optimist, a business devoted to motivational speaking, encouragement, personal growth, and swim coaching.

Before launching Eternal Optimist, Jeannie spent more than 20 years in higher education information technology, serving in multiple leadership roles. In 2010, she made the courageous decision to reinvent her career and return to her lifelong passion for swimming and coaching.

Since then, Jeannie has coached:

• State and national-level athletes

• Collegiate swimmers

• Masters swimmers

• Triathletes and Ironman competitors

• Marathon and open water swimmers

Her coaching philosophy extends far beyond athletics. Jeannie speaks passionately about:

• Reinvention in midlife

• Overcoming fear and self-doubt

• Building resilience through adversity

• Leadership and perseverance

• The power of optimism

• Women pursuing bold goals

• Personal transformation through challenge

Jeannie’s speaking style combines authenticity, humor, emotional connection, and real-world experience, making her a powerful speaker for:

• Women’s conferences

• Leadership events

• Colleges and universities

• Corporate wellness programs

• Sports and athletic organizations

• Personal growth and empowerment events

Jeannie holds a Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Business Analysis from Penn State University and a Master of Science in Business Administration from Bucknell University.

Today, through Eternal Optimist, Jeannie continues to encourage others to take courageous leaps, pursue meaningful goals, and discover that some of life’s greatest adventures begin long after we think our story has already been written.

Simply put, she loves to share her message of saying yes, setting goals, overcoming adversity, persevering through the preparation, and, above all, remaining optimistic and confident. She inspires and encourages you to allow yourself to be uncomfortable, to choose moments of bravery, and to live your best and one life.

Contact Jeannie today to present to your company, organizations, retreats, conferences, banquets, educational settings, and teams/athletes… you name it.
She will also tailor her universal message to your group to create the specific messages you would like her to share and amplify.

Jeannie would love to hear from you and discuss presenting to your group!