Becca Mann Interview: Music, Writing, Open Water, US National Team, Lady Gaga, and Measuring Success

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Becca Mann shares her journey as a swimmer, author, and advocate for mental health. She discusses her experiences in competitive swimming, the importance of family support, and how she has redefined success beyond just making the Olympics. Becca opens up about her struggles with OCD and the role of therapy in her life. She also highlights the differences between open water and pool swimming, her love for music, and her recent literary projects, including her young adult dystopian novel.

Outside the Lanes: https://www.amazon.com/Outside-Lanes-Resilience-Reinvention-Redefining/dp/1963183118

Unruly: https://www.amazon.com/Unruly-Coming-Age-Dystopian-Secrets-ebook/dp/B0F3G3TDML?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Website: https://www.becca-mann.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becca__mann/

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beccawmann

Takeaways

• Becca Mann is a two-time USA national champion and has broken multiple national age group records.
• She emphasizes the importance of defining success beyond just making the Olympics.
• Becca took a five-year break from swimming to focus on writing and personal growth.
• She believes in balancing life and swimming to avoid burnout.
• Family support has been crucial in her swimming journey.
• Becca discusses her experiences with OCD and how swimming helped her cope.
• Therapy is essential for managing OCD and understanding one's thoughts.
• Making the national team is a significant achievement, but it comes with challenges.
• Open water swimming requires different strategies compared to pool swimming.
• Becca's love for music plays a vital role in her pre-race routine.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Becca Mann and Her Book

04:36 The Journey of a Young Swimmer

07:13 Redefining Success in Swimming

10:12 Finding Balance in Swim Life

13:00 Family Support and Its Impact

15:44 Overcoming Challenges: The Role of OCD

24:26 Making the National Team Again

26:30 Navigating the Transition from Open Water to Pool Swimming

28:21 The Conflict Between Pool and Open Water Swimming

30:14 The Unique Challenges of Open Water Swimming

31:12 Strategies for Success in Open Water

34:20 The Importance of Open Water Clinics for Young Swimmers

34:46 Life as a National Team Member

35:46 Training for Upcoming Competitions

37:08 The Role of Music in Pre-Race Preparation

40:10 Imagining New Swimming Events

43:52 Exploring Becca's book Unruly

48:16 Thank you for listening

48:43 SPPwaterOUTROfinal.mp4

Keywords

Becca Mann, swimming, open water, mental health, OCD, success, family support, national team, music, motivation