Vivienne's inclusion in the San Miguel Rich List (an alternative where the riches are defined by life experiences) says it all. Here is a talented photographer whose creativity with adventure has come to define her.

Once a fine art graduate and now an obsessive wild swimmer, Vivienne's Swim Snowdonia project to document swimming every llyn, pool and river in Snowdonia has become a life's work - and earned her something of a cult following.

So tell us Vivienne, where does this adventurous spirit of yours come from?

I come from a love of the outdoors. My Grandparents owned a farm and a huge amount of my childhood was spent riding horses, roaming the fields and forest. I was given a lot of freedom growing up to make my own adventures and I guess that stayed with me. I couldn't imagine having a life that wasn't like that.

I got into the outdoor sports scene by complete accident, when I was looking for other work and saw a job at an 'Outdoor Centre'. I was working as a gardener at the time and totally oblivious to the world outside of art, horses and farming. When it said "must be able to work at height" I was thinking "how high is high?" and applied.

It turned out to be a Ropes Course Development Centre and I cried my way around the ropes course interview like some endurance test. But I got the job! That started a new love, and the rope work was easy eventually. I related well to everyones fears and even developed some kind of pleasure from jumping out of trees.

It wasn't long before I discovered climbing, the mountains and a whole new world had opened up.

Outdoor swimming is still quite a leap from there we think! Which of your adventures do you feel has changed you the most?

I am not sure that one particular adventure changed me, but at some point I discovered I can achieve real joy and happiness alone and that's now a really important part of life. I deliberately opt to have time unaccompanied.

Time and space alone is really valuable, it gives clarity of thought, focus, reflection. It's also really important to me to make decisions alone and live with the outcomes, whatever they may be.

I am proud of finding happiness. I gave up a career which although well paid, I felt trapped in a never ending cycle, spiralling further into a life I didn't want. I may not be wealthy now, but I am the happiest I have ever been, and that alone is worth all the money in the world!

True that! What other tips do you have for people interested in doing what you do?

Wetsuit, swimsuit, birthday suit, who cares what you wear! Do it for the sheer joy it brings you!

That said, always check a weather forecast, as the weather can really affect certain bodies of water. There's some great advice on swimming outdoors safely on www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com.

What about an experience that should be on everyone's bucket list?

Obviously, everyone should experience the sheer exhilaration of a dip in UK waters. But I really believe that whatever it is you want to do, it's best to have those adventures in your own backyard first.

You might set your sights on swimming the channel or scaling Everest, but look for the highest point in your local area or scope out what water there is waiting for you to dip your toes in locally first. I bet once you have visited one spot, another will appear and before you know it a whole world you never realised existed is there right on your doorstep.

And I bet you'll have it all to yourself too.

Where's next for you? Is there a favourite spot you keep going back to?

It has to be The New Forest, I grew up there and when I go back I feel like a part of me is grounded. It's so geographically different to where I live now in Snowdonia. I might not have the lakes and mountains I love so much, but I like the contrast, the flatness, the open space, and light.

The Welsh have a great word to explain it - hiraeth - which although difficult to translate means the deep longing inside one has for their homeland.

A very human emotion for sure. What are your most memorable adventures?

On reflection there are lots of good camping trips. But choosing just one, it would be on the Isle of Arran, with nothing more than a field next to the burn. It was remote, the weather was glorious and the views were stunning. We bathed in the burn, climbed the hills and generally had an amazing time.

The worst was sleeping in the jungle in Borneo. Something about the size of a dog came alongside me and snuffled all the way along me. I have never laid so still in my life and I certainly didn't sleep a wink again that night!

Is there anything that people find surprising about you?

I was petrified of fish and weeds for a very long time - I even used to swim with my eyes closed outside!

After an accident during a coaching session while I was practising some speedy front crawl I, unfortunately, hit another swimmer in the face with my new super powerful stroke. She came off with a bruised cheek and I pulled the ligaments in my hand, so I knew it had to stop. I open my eyes now and my fish phobia somewhat dissipated. After all my huge magnified body is the scariest thing in the lake!

I'm still a bit of a scaredy cat with seaweed though! Hence, I am no great sea swimmer.

We're with you there - it's so slimy! What keeps you going when it gets tough and you feel like giving up?

I get some amazing feedback from total strangers. It often arrives when I feel at my lowest, when I can't face going out in the rain or I just don't have the energy to get up and out the door.

It's those comments that pick me up, and I am continually encouraged by the kind words of complete strangers.

Is there anything someone could invent to make your travels easier?

A portable mountain sauna?! Having just spent a month out in Finland experiencing ice holing, I realise the Fins have the whole winter swimming experience very much sorted!

Seriously though, in Finland, the cold cuts so fast once you are submerged that it's quite a different experience to swimming in winter in Wales. Less of a journey and more of a gratuitous wellbeing hit, and all for the glory of feeling good! I spend longer in the water in Wales, so the cold seeps deep inside into my bones and the warm up is slow and prolonged.

For me, they are totally different experiences, but just imagine if there was a pop-up sauna lakeside!

That does sound pretty good, if a little heavy to carry! Finally, what's the one inspirational book you'd recommend?

I recently read The Outrun by Amy Liptrot. Amy is a recovering alcoholic and fellow swimmer. The book resonated in many ways, as she is from (and much of the book is set in) Orkney where my mother was from, so I felt a real connection to the landscape of the book. She discusses cross addictions, which I think many of us can relate to and her writing is frank and honest. Highly recommended!

Thanks so much for taking part Vivienne!

More more information about Vivienne's adventures, have a look at her website and Instagram account.