Healthy Hollywood: Natalie Coughlin’s Race For Greatness

Swimming superstar Natalie Coughlin has medaled in every Olympic event in which she’s competed. But, don’t think the 12-time medalist is ready to get out of the water anytime soon.

The 32-year-old already has her eye on the 2016 games in Rio.

“I just got into heavy training last week, so full steam ahead,” Natalie reveals to Healthy Hollywood.

Just like me, Natalie says the hardest part about swimming is the first jump into the cold water, but notes she wouldn’t anything different, adding, “That initial shock of the cold water is something I could never get over, but to be honest I love being a professional athlete. I love the fact that my job is to work out every day. I know how fortunate I am to call that my job. I really relish the whole process, I love working out in the pool and in the gym. Just the fact that swimming is what pays the bills is pretty incredible.”

To keep her motivated to swim competitively, as a Speedo paid spokesperson, she uses their new swim app Speedo Fit to help her set and reach her goals, adding,

“This app allows swimming, which can be a solo sport, to be more social. You can find pools when you’re traveling and stay in touch with my friends and track how they’re progressing toward their goals.”

Natalie has also begun to train with men’s swimming team at UC Berkeley, noting, “It is fun trying to keep up with boys. It’s fun lifting with them in the weight room. I do my best to keep up, but it’s really motivating.”

And, for those of us who think we would never be able to swim for endurance, Natalie says it’s a lot like yoga.

“I take the practice of yoga into the water. The practice of yoga is a lot about being mindful and being present in the moment and being with your body and shutting out the rest of the world. In the pool because you can’t have your music and can’t do anything but be present you can take that into the water,” she explains. “Also, swimming is such a full body exercise. You use the tiniest muscles you never use in daily life. So, if you’re looking for sculpt and to get those long, lean muscles, swimming is the perfect exercise.”

Besides training, Natalie is also a huge foodie and hopes to do a cookbook someday.

“I try to eat pleasurably but eat healthy,” says Natalie. “It doesn’t mean you have to eat chicken breasts and broccoli at every meal. I still eat pasta and you can have all these great things, but just know you have to do it in moderation. That way it becomes a lifestyle and not a diet.”

To find out more swimming tips, check out www.speedousa.com.

— Terri MacLeod