Name: Jessica Hardy Meichtry
Hometown: Long Beach, CA
Country: USA
Age: 31
Sport: Swimming
Years in the sport: 27
How did you get started in your swimming?
I fell in a pool at a birthday party at 3 y/o, so my mom enrolled me in swim lessons. Started a summer league and took it more and more seriously as I got older
What was it like when you officially retired?
Relieving!
Favourite athlete?R
Roger Federer (longevity, dominance, grace and humility)
What was your biggest challenge as an athlete and how did you overcome it?
Accidentally drinking a nutritional supplement that was contaminated in 2008 and being taken off of the Olympic team What has your biggest challenge since retiring from swimming? Staying in touch with swim friends across the globe
Any hobbies?
Anything active, outdoors, and social!
Favourite music?
Country
What was the best part of competing?
Winning!
Favourite quote?
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams – Eleanor Roosevelt
If you could train with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
Roger Federer
If you could have competed in another sport what would it be and why?
Tennis or Golf – the only sports that women have the chance to really be compensated in sport
Favourite place you competed?
Australia
Did/do you have any special warm up routine?
Yes I did the same stretching routine and pool warm up for almost every race
What time is your alarm set for?
6:45am (to get ready before my daughter wakes at 7:30am)
Ice cream or cake?
Both!
What did you do on your rest days?
Lay on the couch, get my nails done, massage if I’m lucky
Last non food item you bought?
Mortgage for my house
Do you have a lucky number?
3
Best thing you’ve done in the past 3 months?
Been the Maid of Honor at my sister’s wedding
Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Tough times don’t last but tough people do
Scariest thing you’ve ever done?
Drove a race car in a celebrity race
If you were stranded on a desert island, what one person and thing would you like to have?
My husband and/or daughter and a cell phone to call for help
What would be your perfect meal?
Dessert
What performance are you most proud of?
2009 – breaking the 50 and 100 breaststroke world records in the same race
Hardest sport moment you had to push through?
Accidentally drinking a nutritional supplement that was contaminated in 2008 and being taken off of the Olympic team – again
What have you learned from swimming that has helped you in other parts of your life?
Work ethic, dedication, sacrifice, how to goal set, friendly competition
Favourite place to eat?
I like trying new places
If you had to travel either forward in time or backward in time, which would you choose?
Forward because I’m curious
What is the most unusual, challenging, or creative workout you’ve ever done?
My coach was pretty creative, so it’s hard to pick just one! I like it when he kept me on my toes
Favourite animal?
My dog Duke
Dream job besides an athlete?
Helping other athletes reach their dreams
What motivated you to keep training?
My goals
Favourite time of year?
Spring
How many hours did you train at a given week?
36-48 per week
What accomplishments outside of swimming are you the most proud of?
My husband and daughter, and helping my swim students reach their goals
Favourite book?
The alchemist by Paolo Coelho
What did a typical day of training look like?
2-4 hours in the pool, and a “dry land” activity every day (yoga, pilates, weight lifting, running, etc.)
Best movie and tv series?
I’m always looking for something new
Favourite food while training?
Chicken breast
What did/do you enjoy most about swimming?
My hard work equaling success
Advise that you have for someone starting out swimming?
Don’t forget to have FUN with the sport
What was the most crucial part of your training?
Technique
Find Jessica Hardy on Social Media:
Website: www.JessicaHardy.net
Instagram: Jessica Hardy
Twitter: Jessica Hardy
Facebook: Jessica Hardy
If you enjoyed our interview with Jessica Hardy, be sure to check out our interview with Matija Moze – Slovenian National Champion