The life advice edition with Sarah Weiler

The musical comedian behind the viral 'Wearing my Dry Robe' video shares her wisdom

Hi there,

Here’s a bonus edition of The Uplift to *BRIGHTON* your Tuesday! If you’re a close friend of mine, you’ve probably already forwarded me the Wearing my Dry Robe viral video that’s been making waves in sea swimming communities across Britain for the past 10 days. The spoof of Wiley’s Wearing My Rolex was made by a lovely friend Sarah Weiler aka Weiler and has even caught the eye of comedian and fellow Brighton sea swimmer Jen Brister.

Sarah, a musical comedian, coach, DJ and ‘quitting queen’ moved to Brighton in 2023 and like so many of us bought a Dry Robe. Sarah, a serial joy-sparker, then decided to write a tongue-in-cheek song about her new garms and film a music video on Brighton beach with lovely pals and fellow sea swimmers. She never expected the video would go viral, clocking up more than 100,000 views on Instagram within a week.

You can watch the fantastic video above with all the credits to the brilliant people who made it happen.

She kindly spoke to me for a life advice edition of The Uplift, which uses a question framework I first used in my 2021 podcast Life, Oh Life. Sarah also has a podcast called Knowing When To Quit and a Substack newsletter called Carousel.

What inspired you to make the video?

My drying robe! (actually from Passenger, not Dry Robe). From the moment I bought it I fell totally in love with how warm and cosy I felt, how practical it was in the rain, and how gorgeous the colours were. I decided it needed its own song, and the idea of re-writing Wiley's Wearing My Rolex as Wearing my Dry Robe came to me as I was on the way to meet one of my team to run a Power of Uke workshop. We spent most of our set up time brainstorming lyrics and cliches about cold water swimming. 'Could this be a music video?' was a question we asked ourselves pretty early doors. The answer was yes. It all came together remarkably quickly. I think the deadline of it having to happen in Winter helped spur me on, or I may have procrastinated further.

What has the response been like?

Incredible! I thought the song would make people laugh, but I hadn't anticipated that it would also really cheer people up during the longest January since records began. I've had so many people message to say that it took them out of a slump and brought them some joy - and that feels like the biggest success. I've also been spotted in the street in Brighton and one woman asked for a selfie! 

What’s the best advice anyone’s ever given you?

'Do you actually like living like this?' This was a question my friend asked me back in 2016, when she saw I didn't have a free evening or weekend for three months. I was a chronic over-booker and I had never even paused to think whether I wanted to do it all. It kick-started a total life overhaul and a slower, kinder way of showing up for myself. I now am much more intentional about what I include in my life, and am a big champion of quitting things that no longer feel alive.

What advice would you give yourself if you could go back?

Move your body.

I spent so many of my younger years feeling anxious and stressed, and I know that it was partly because I was not doing enough exercise. Running, hiking and swimming are all things that are now my lifeline and I wish I'd found them sooner.

What's your best advice for other people?

“Trust the feeling of aliveness”, and “follow the joy”. If something feels off, trust that. If something feels great, trust that. I don't think you can go wrong if you follow those nudges. It will certainly take you to some interesting places. 

More Life Advice

Rosie Wilby - "When things feel tough, reach out to other people"

Samantha Baines - "Just go for it"

Selina Barker - “There’s a real power in owning what you want”

Corinne Peacock - "Stop trying to live someone else’s life or by someone else’s rules."

Bernadette Russell - “Be kind, Be curious, Find the joy.”

Giles Paley - Phillips - "Reach out, listen, encourage and be kind."

Thanks so much for chatting to me Sarah! Hope you enjoyed the video, Uplifters!

If you enjoyed reading The Uplift, please press the little heart just below and feel free to share your best life advice in the comments, or forward this email to a friend.

Until next time,

BB x