Julie Ridge, LCSW-R, swam the English Channel in 1982; became the 1st person to swim 2 consecutive laps around Manhattan Island in 1983 (earning her a guest appearance on the Letterman Show); completed the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon in ’84; and swam into the Guinness Book of Records in ’85 by swimming one 28.5 mile lap around Manhattan each day for 5 consecutive days. In 1990 she bicycled across America with her father Frank Ridge. Julie performed on Broadway, is a published author and motivational speaker. She earned her Masters degree in social work from Columbia University. Now a clinical social worker with over 25 years experience, she facilitates learning seminars for mental health professionals. When her father died at the age of 90 in 2013, she established the Frank Ridge Memorial Foundation (a non-profit organization), dedicated to living well with mental health conditions through awareness and understanding. In December of 2018 she presented a one-woman show BIPOLAR & THE ENGLISH CHANNEL at an off Broadway venue in NYC. She is proud mom to Jason Peterson-Ridge. Julie lives well with bipolar disorder.