I read autobiographies - I watch the Olympics - Recently I had the best examples of both of these come together:
Katie Ledecky at the 2024 Olympics and Katie Ledecky’s book Just Add Water. During the 2024 Olympics, she was the athlete I followed most closely and I have recently read Just Add Water.
We all know about her swimming accomplishments - Just Add Water was written before the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Just to bring them up to date:
She was 15 years old when she won her first gold medal, competing in the 800 meter event at the 2012 Olympics in London.
She has won 14 Olympic medals, including 9 gold medals, 4 silver medals, and 1 bronze medal.
She has won 26 world championship medals, including 21 gold medals and 5 silver medals. She is the most decorated female swimmer in world championship history.
She holds the world record in the women's 800-meter freestyle and 1500-meter freestyle. She also previously held the world record in the 400-meter freestyle.
She has won Olympic gold medals at every distance from 200 meters to 1500 meters. (This is comparable to a runner winning the 100 yard dash and the Marathon.)
She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.
Just Add Water was published in June of 2024. There are reviews of the book but I will not write one. I just want to make some comments.
This is the clearest, most intimate autobiography that I have ever read. I really got to know Katie; who she is, what she cares about, who she cares about, and what she is willing to risk in order to let us get to know her. I would suggest that you read this book without reading a review - including mine, which won’t be written. I would want you to read it without preconceived expectations. Save it for having your own reactions.
I would also suggest you watch her appearance on The View on Youtube. You will be able to see that smile and get to hear her wisdom. One reviewer was happy that he had heard her oral version of the book. I will be doing that as soon as possible.
Finally, every coach, prospective coach, teacher, mentor of any kind needs to read about Katie’s relationship with her swimming coaches. I would use this book as a resource if I were still a college psychology professor.
Happy Reading!
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