WHAT would you do if you felt 'unstoppable'?

If fear of failure, or just the anxiety of trying something new, wasn't an issue?

When Volvic got in touch to ask whether there was something I really wanted to do - but for whatever reason hadn't been able to make happen - the answer instantly sprang to mind: open water swimming.

I've always loved water, but in the past couple of years, swimming's become a very important part of my life, playing a major role in my recovery from injury and back/joint problems (including a torn and multiple slipped and degenerated discs, joint stenosis, nerve inflammation and a stubborn frozen shoulder), and in managing these long-term.

Two years ago, following a 10-month exercise break (aside from physio, gentle pilates and walks) to allow my back to heal and build some core stability, I was able to start rebuilding my activity levels - and most of this happened in the pool. But breaststroke, which I'd previously swum all my life, was now off limits as it put too much strain on my lower back, and instead I had to learn front crawl.

At first, even managing a few strokes was a victory. Now, after a lot of patience and perseverance, I can comfortably swim a mile-and-a-half on a good day - not only has my quality of life hugely improved, but I'm fitter than I ever imagined possible too.

Open water swimming became a new goal, a way of taking my beloved hobby to another level.

But for all the 'research' I've done, for all the blogs and articles I've read about it, and all the hours I've spent talking about it - I haven't been able to actually do it.

Who would I do it with? Where should I start? Would the cold water send me into shock? Would I be out of my depth? We're all familiar with that voice of self-doubt, aren't we? That bank of excuses we store in our minds when faced with taking a risk, or stepping outside our comfort zone.

Volvic have just launched a new campaign, encouraging us to 'unbottle our unstoppable'.

According to a survey they carried out, holding back on pursuing goals is particularly familiar territory for 20-somethings; 35% admit fretting they'd fail at a new task or hobby, and 52% worry what other people would think. Additionally, 30% of the 2,000 people quizzed claimed they 'don't have enough time to follow their passions' (tell me about it, right?!).

Meanwhile, it was the older respondents who displayed the most gumption for just, well, going for it, with 65% of 55-year-olds agreeing they'd 'finally reached an age where they no longer cared what people think', and 49% saying they'd now 'throw themselves into new and exciting challenges'.

There's no doubt that, for most, age does bring greater confidence and self-belief, or perhaps just frees us from the shackles of the pressures we feel when we're younger - self-imposed or otherwise - to prove ourselves and 'measure up'.

Living shouldn't be a retirement plan though. What are we waiting for? Was I ready to take the plunge into open water - now that Volvic was offering to push me in the deep end? (Well actually, they promised I could venture into the water slowly, in a shallow bit if I wanted...)

With my excuses bank running dry, I headed down to Stoke Newington West Reservoir, a beautiful body of water in North London which hosts an array of water sports - and wild swimming.

As the day approaches, I'm nervous - mainly because this is something I've built up in my head for a long time - but very excited.

Open water swimming isn't an activity to take risks with. When things like unpredictable currents and cold temperatures are thrown into the mix, it's very easy for even the strongest swimmers to encounter difficulties, so you need to be sensible and follow guidelines.

The reservoir is an ideal place for a newbie like me. It's cold, but not ridiculously so at this time of year, there are no invisible hazards below the surface, and on the day of my swim, the water looks calm and glistens beneath a perfect blue sky.

An instructor talks me through some basic introductory points. The temperature shock might take some getting used to, he says, but I'll need to avoid panting, as this, among other things, will affect my ability to regulate my breathing while swimming.

As soon as I get in, I see what he means. Instinctively, I start breathing more quickly, and as I attempt to start swimming, I quickly find I can't hold my head under for as long as I'm used to, because my breaths are so shallow and frequent.

My usually decent stroke is completely different to what it's like in the comfort of a heated pool. Visibility is another challenge - you can find wild water that's beautifully clear, of course, but here, I can't really see anything through my goggles (I'm assured that visibility is much better once you venture further around and into the reservoir).

After about 10 minutes, things start to improve. I'm warming up, my breathing feels calmer and more controlled and my limbs less tense - and before long, I'm swimming. Seeing long reeds in the water, and feeling them brush against my feet, is a bit freaky, but I keep going.

Today, that immense euphoria and invigoration wild swimmers talk of isn't just something I'm reading about. I'm experiencing it for myself.

Afterwards, I feel so fantastically awake, and can't stop grinning all day.

This may just have been the first small step, but that, as they say, is usually the hardest one to make. Hopefully this is the start of many more swimming adventures to come.

5 TIPS FOR MAKING GOALS HAPPEN

Life coach Alice Stapleton is working with Volvic to help the nation 'unbottle their unstoppable'. Here are five of Stapleton's top tips:

:: If you're putting something off, or keep thinking 'I can't', try to figure out exactly what the obstacles are. Is it the cost or time involved? Is it lack of confidence? Once you've established exactly what your obstacles are, you can work through them.

:: Think about a previous time you stepped out of your comfort zone: what enabled it to happen, what was different about your attitude at that time, were there any particular circumstances that helped? This will also help you create a solutions-focussed approach.

:: Also think about how you felt after that time - how good it felt, the sense of achievement, realising that you could do something you'd previously thought you couldn't. Keep reminding yourself of that, and use that positivity to spur you on now.

:: A big part of motivation is getting to a point where the perceived long-term benefits outweigh the possible short-term costs. Yes, you could feel deflated if you don't succeed. But, if you do, the benefits could be tenfold. Write a list and focus on the benefits.

:: Planning also plays a big part. We are creatures of habit, so to keep on track with a goal, create a framework that's going to really help, rather than make sticking to it more difficult. For example, if you're realistically going to be too exhausted to exercise after work, work with that information and plan ways to exercise earlier on in the day.

:: Visit www.volvic.co.uk

TRIED AND TESTED

3 OF THE BEST... Sporty swimsuits

:: Madonna Aqua Light Swimsuit, £39.99 (www.aquasphereswim.com/uk)

Aqua Sphere's super quick-drying Aqua Light range launched last year, and the brand new Madonna, which features sportive back design for easy movement and in-built bust support, is immensely lightweight and dries six times faster than conventional cossies.

:: Freya Active Tankini, £46 (www.freyalingerie.com)

Available in cup sizes C-H, this sporty tankini is ideal for bustier ladies, plus it comes with three sets of bottoms - briefs, short-shorts and longer shorts. Super comfortable and versatile, it's a real winner.

:: Women's Speedo Fit Body Positioning Kickback Swimsuit, £50 (www.speedo.co.uk)

As well as 360-degree bust support, this sporty suit features extra support panelling in the core area to, designed to help you maintain a good position and technique in the water for more effective training.