
Just Add Water
My Swimming Life
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Narrated by:
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Katie Ledecky
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By:
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Katie Ledecky
About this listen
New York Times Bestseller
A candid and inspiring memoir from Olympic gold medalist, world champion, and one of the best swimmers ever to compete: Katie Ledecky.
Katie Ledecky has won more individual Olympic races than any female swimmer in history. She is a three-time Olympian, a seven-time gold medalist, a twenty-one-time world champion, eight-time NCAA Champion, and a world record-holder in individual swimming events. Time and again, the question is posed to her family, her coaches, and to her—what makes her a champion? Now, for the first time, she shares what it takes to compete at an elite level.
Again and again, Ledecky has broken records: those of others and, increasingly, her own. She is both consistent and innovative—consistent at setting goals and shattering them, and innovative in the way she approaches her training. A true competitor, she sets her goals by choosing the ones that feel the scariest. But, crucially, she never sacrifices the joy of competition, even in the face of adversity. Her positive mental outlook and a great support system provides the springboard to her success.
Just Add Water charts Ledecky’s life in swimming. It details her start in Bethesda, Maryland, where she played sharks and minnows and first discovered the joy of the pool; her early foray into the Olympics at the tender age of fifteen where, as the youngest member of the American team, she stunned everyone by winning her first gold medal; her time balancing competition and her education at Stanford University; how she developed a champion’s mindset that has allowed her to persevere through so many meets, even under intense pressure; and how she has maintained her dominance in a sport where success depends on milliseconds. You learn how every element of her life—from the support of her family to the tutelage of her coaches, from her childhood spent in summer league swimming to the bright lights of Olympic pools in London, Rio, and Tokyo—set her up to become the champion she is.
In the end, Katie’s story is about testing yourself against the difficult, and seeing who you become on the other side.
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Fantastic Book!
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Just add Katie!
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Swimmers are THE BEST!
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I highly recommend this book for those who want to find out what discipline and hard work can give you through life. Ledeky’s life is a role model of women's empowerment and determination.
Embracing and Inspiring Story!
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When I listen to a person’s memoir, I want to hear their story, from their perspective and, if possible, in their own voice. Katie Ledecky has the same light hearted and joyful voice as all of the interviews you’ve ever heard her speak. She reads her book as if you are one of her close friends, sitting on the couch across from her as she regales you with her amazing story! You can almost picture her lovely grin and playful demeanor as she talks to you.
I love that her passion for swimming, family, friends, causes she champions, mentorship of young kids, and integrity for herself and holding accountable all international swimmers to anti-doping rules, is woven throughout the book. Each chapter builds onto the next and weaves a beautiful picture of her life… with all of the ups and downs, twists and turns that life gives us, and she works through each thing with a servant’s heart, humility and grace.
I am happy to say that all ages in my household loved this book, both in written and audio formats! All of us happen to be swimmers as well - most recreational/club or Master’s, and one long distance swimmer. We are proud that Katie Ledecky represents the US internationally.
I believe that you will love this book as much as we did!
Graceful, Charming, Thoughtful and Humble - Katie Ledecky’s Memoir is the Whole Package
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Katie The All American Girl
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Insight into what matters the most
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One Determined Woman!
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This was an interesting look behind the scenes of the GOAT woman swimmer, and one candidate for GOAT swimmer of men and women.
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Katie really gives of herself in this book!
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