In this week’s guest blog, Zane Grothe, U.S. National Team Member, World Championship Medalist, 2020 Olympic Prospect and a Dolfin Swimwear Sponsored Athlete shares with us why he chose to become a swimmer. He also shares his top tips on how to persevere through failures, setbacks and even success. #ZanesLane is a blog series where we follow Zane’s quest for a spot on Team USA at the 2020 Olympic games.
Swimming chose me. I started lessons as an infant, and it has always been a part of my life. I’ve stuck with it for such a long time for a couple different reasons. First, is to become an Olympian. As long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to be at that level, and now I’m closer than ever!
Secondly is because my swimming career has taken on a new meaning now that I am a “veteran” of the sport. My success has given me a platform in which I can deliver a message to a multitude of young people and athletes aspiring for self-improvement and journeying through life as a swimmer. It is a responsibility that I fully acknowledge, and an opportunity that I would be foolish not to take advantage of. I hope the message I share goes beyond becoming a successful swimmer. I hope that I can help fuel inspiration and personal growth both in the pool and out.
The best advice for swimmers just starting out is to embrace change and learn to ask for help. You’ll never grow as an athlete if you don’t accept the fact that nobody just wakes up perfect. It takes hard work and dedication to become better, but more importantly learning to identify your weaknesses will help you be your best.
Swimming is not easy. You will fail from time to time. You need to learn that there are many people who have been through the challenges of swimming. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Asking for help shows vulnerability which takes more strength than pretending you don’t need help in the first place. It also shows character and a willingness to find room for improvement.
The biggest lesson swimming has taught me is that success does not come to those who are more talented or lucky. True success comes to those who find a way to persevere through failures and find a way to become stronger because of those failures.
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