The Desert Swimmer

Brendan Cullen's memoir, co-written with Paul Mitchell, tells the story of a Broken Hill sheep‑station manager who confronted longstanding trauma and depression and found renewal through open‑water swimming, culminating in a successful English Channel crossing.

The book traces his rural upbringing, boarding school experiences, family life, and the physical and emotional toll of drought and farm life, then follows his recovery after seeking help and embracing endurance swimming.

Cullen frames the Channel swim as part of a broader mental‑health toolkit, detailing training in inland lakes and pools, the support of his coach and crew, and the swim itself.

Interwoven are candid reflections on masculinity, asking for help, and truth‑telling with his children, offering both personal memoir and a message about resilience.

Published by Allen & Unwin, it has been discussed publicly in interviews and talks to raise awareness about mental health and rural struggles.