Just Add Water: My Swimming Life

This book is a must-read for any swim fan! 🏅 Katie Ledecky takes us behind the scenes of what it takes to become a world champion, Olympic gold medalist, and the most decorated female swimmer in history. While analysts have tried to sum up her success with genetics and stats, Katie makes it clear: her relentless work ethic and love for the grind are what set her apart. Her dedication, mindset, and belief in setting goals are inspiring.One of my favorite parts? All the sections on Katie’s Olympic journeys—especially Tokyo, the delayed Covid Olympics. Reading about the challenges of training through uncertainty and then competing at the highest level was fascinating. It’s clear that it takes a village to raise a swimmer, and I loved how the book alternated between her swimming career and the people who made it possible—her family, coaches, teammates etc.I also really appreciated the chapter Swim Like A Girl, where Katie calls out the media’s obsession with men’s sports. How it’s seen as a compliment when people say ‘she swims like a man’ when no, she swims like Katie Ledeky. The chapter is a reminder of the barriers female athletes continue to break, the extra pressure female athletes have, how female athletes must ‘win with humility,’ whereas men can be braggy about it, and all the other stupid media, low pay, etc. female athletes must go through. I love that Ledeky’s mom was a swimmer in the 1960s / early 1970s and went to one of like, 2 colleges that had a women’s team at the time, and Title 9 happened right in the middle of her college stint and OVERNIGHT her mom got a full ride.Anyway. I really enjoyed this read, it was wholesome 💙

Ms. Ledecky’s memoir is extremely well written, intelligent, and, most importantly, reflective of her authentic human kindness that is clearly built upon her open and steadfast faith and her effective integration of her unique talents into the world of those around her. I would recommend it to anyone who seeks a boost of inspiration. I am particularly appreciative of the fact that Katie authored all of this herself, as no ghost writer is listed. Perhaps Ms. Ledecky has a future in writing following the eventual close of her professional athletic career, if she were to so choose! Vis-à-vis her own recording of her book, I find that she has succeeded at her very first effort in this domain, as it’s an easy, enjoyable, relatable listen at any time of day. Thanks so much to her for sharing her story with us and for gently challenging us all, through her present example, to share the very best of our own intrinsic human gifts with others in quite a disciplined, yet balanced and thoughtful manner.

An inspiring read for the athlete or those who appreciate the sport of swimming. Ledecky provides an honest, humble, personal account of her experience from six-year old novice to Olympian. Her deliberate goal setting is legendary relaying to the reader her unique insight into physical training, adaptation, and mental focus. Much is made of her family, friends, coaches, teammates, and competitors as being an integral part of her journey. Ledecky’s modest telling of her life story up until now is a fascinating read from this true champion. I could see another book from this winner as her future goals are yet to be realized.

I loved learning of Katie's life up to the Paris Olympics. She's an amazing swimmer and now an amazing writer! She shares all aspects of her life in a very engaging way. This is a book for everyone including young girls to teach them how to achieve their goals, and for those of us just interested in how she does it all. Thank you, Katie, for sharing your story. Good luck to you in all your endeavors.

Our kids gave this book to swim coaches for gifts and were also gifted it from grandparents who know how much they love competitive swimming! Great read ~ very inspirational!!!

Great book, when I ordered it, I knew that I would like it but I never thought I would like it so much.

For many, swimming is a sport that they watch every fourth summer during the Olympics. For a small number it is a vocation that the swimmer has given dedication and sacrifice. Katie Ledecky’s memoir gives the reader the story of her life in the water. She does it with a lovely voice that tells the reader how she swims, trains and races. She shares her life in each chapter by describing family members, coaches and teammates who support her through her work.While she is the center of the story she credits those she loves with her success. This book is for anyone who loves the water, those who are curious about how elite swimmers swim so fast and long. It is a book for any swimmer who has a dream of achievement and wants inspiration to make the dream come true.

This book was what I hoped for and much more! Katie Ledecky is truly the greatest female swimmer of all time! c