Swimming Up: A Health Officer’s Journey of Dignity, Defiance, and Hope
When leadership is tested, what keeps us moving forward?
Swimming Up is the true story of a public health leader navigating one of the most turbulent crises of our time—and discovering what dignity, defiance, and hope look like when everything is on the
Swimming Up is more than a story about public health or a global crisis. It is a story about what happens inside a leader when everything external is working against her. Drawing from more than three decades in public health leadership, Lisa Peacock shares the decisions, losses, public scrutiny, and deeply human moments that tested her sense of identity and purpose—and the lessons that helped her find her way forward.
This book is for anyone who has ever:
- Had to choose between what was easy and what felt right
- Led through conflict, uncertainty, or public pressure
- Lost a role or identity that once defined them
- Needed to rebuild confidence after a difficult season
- Believed leadership could still be rooted in dignity, humanity, and hope
“Leadership is often mistaken for authority. It begins in the heart and strives for the highest and best outcome for all.”
Lisa Peacock
About the author
Lisa Peacock is a public health strategist, consultant, speaker, author, and longtime public health leader with more than 30 years of experience in nursing and public health. She has led complex public health systems, guided communities through crisis, and now works with leaders and organizations to strengthen communication, resilience, and transformative leadership.
