Concept - Motivation
Quote: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill
What motivates you to swim? Do you love the thrill of winning, dislike losing, or feel a deep fear of failure?
Personally, I swam because I loved to win. When I raced bicycles in European Gran Fondo events—long road races ranging from 120 to 180 kilometers—I rode with a fear of losing and a strong dislike of failure. These are different motivations, but neither is better than the other. What matters is understanding what drives you, so you can set goals and strive for success in your own way.
Next time we meet, I’ll ask you a simple question: What motivates you, both in practice and at meets? Take a moment to think about your answer.
There will be days when finding the motivation to go to practice or give your best effort is tough. Maybe you’re tired, or you just don't feel excited about a race you don’t like. On those days, it’s important to focus on something specific you want to improve. Instead of forcing enthusiasm, try honing in on one or two areas that will benefit you in the long run.
You could work on extending your underwaters, count your strokes during a set, or experiment with a different breathing pattern. By shifting your focus to small improvements, you can take your mind off the struggle and continue to grow as a swimmer.
When your motivation returns, take a moment to be grateful. Journal what helped you push through your lack of inspiration; that insight will help you next time you face a similar challenge.
Swimmer Education:
25 Tips to guide your year long swimming motivation

WALLS focus this week
A great read for all swimmers
Attack the Walls: The Mindset Behind Faster Swim Turns (and Faster Times)
A great watch for all swimmers
How to Hyper-Streamline in Swimming instead of a Simple Streamline (VIDEO)
Workouts
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BId_J_LyKoiK-5LcpkeQ2hVxHbUaOSEzV-TKKFx0K6c/edit?usp=sharing
Swimming News
https://swimswam.com/white-water-method-shoulder-health-and-longevity/
Health News
https://foodbabe.com/babyshark/
Did you know that Kellogg’s cereals in the US have different ingredients in Australia and Europe? In the US Kellogg’s and many other foods have RED 40, YELLOW 5, YELLOW 6, BLUE 1 & BHT preservative for freshness. These are illegal in other countries or foods containing these chemicals MUST have a warning label. Visit foodbabe.com and the link above if you wish to sign the petition to force Kellogg’s to offer cleaner food in the US.
Next week in the anticipation of Halloween, I will offer some safe food candy and some concepts for keeping your kids healthier.