Staciana Stitts, Olympic Gold Medalist

Staciana Stitts, 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer in the 400 Medley Relay (breaststroke), took some time to answer some questions about swimming - and life - that could help other swimmers.

1. Without giving away anything that might put you at a competitive disadvantage: What are your swimming strengths? What are your swimming weaknesses? What do you do to work on the weaknesses and maintain or build upon the strengths?
   I have come to a point in my life where i really understand the technique of my stroke and can work on it consistently and correctly everyday. I think this is a strength. A weakness, I swim with my eyes closed, to feel the stroke better, and i continue to work on keeping them open.

   
   

2. In a more general "life" sense, what makes you a stronger person?
   The life significance of losing my hair at age 12 from Alopecia Areata has made me a very strong, determined person. I walk each day with confidance in my character and actions, and not dependent on my appearance. I had to learn this lesson early in life. I am also an optimist and this helps me get through each day.

   
   

3. When did you know you could achieve the level of success you have?
   I had always dreamed of becoming an Olympian, but when I started training with the Irvine Novas, at age 16, I began to believe that it was possible. I learned how to believe I could achieve success under the inspiring and passionate direction of Dave Salo, a very knowledgeable coach, while swimming alongside Amanda Beard, a 1996 Olympic multi-medalist at the time.

   
   

4. What makes you want to succeed at swimming at the highest level - what drives you to want to be the best?
   I think its an inner drive, something that comes from the heart and not the head. The head will tell you to stop when the body hurts, but the heart will motivate you to keep going.

   
   

5. What is the most difficult or challenging workout you have ever done,and do you want to do it again (or have you done it more than once)?
   I had two bungee cords wrapped around my waist, with 2 people holding the ends, one on each cord. I had to swim for 30 seconds out (50 meters distance), while the two people hung on to the wall and the cord, for resistance. After 30 seconds they let go of the wall, and kicked behind me hanging on to the cord. I had to finish the 50 meters in my goal time of 1:06 seconds for the 100 meter breaststroke, while dragging the two people behind me. The pain felt the closest to a race ever in practice. We had to do this 6 times. I would do it again to mentally overcome the pain that you feel in a race.

   
   

6. When you are in the midst of a very challenging workout what goes through your head - what do you think about or tell yourself? What does your coach tell you?
   I think about my goals, who I want to beat and pretend they are next to me, swimming a little bit faster so that I work harder to beat them. I simulate the races in my head in practice to prepare for competition and overcome the physical pain with mental determination. My coach will also remind me of my goals, who I need to beat in order to keep me on track.

   
   

7. Would you share a moment in your swimming career that was not fun (or did not feel like anything positive could come of it) when it happened, but looking back, taught you something that has helped make you a better swimmer?
   My sophomore year in college, after the 2000 Olympics, I experienced depression and injury that made me want to quit swimming. I refer to it as Post Olympic Stress Syndrome, common to post Olympic athletes. I was out of the water for 6 weeks, and mentally out of the water for almost 2 years, hating competition. My coach, Teri McKeever, at Cal, did not let me quit, and helped me get through it. I am a better swimmer now because I am more experienced and know what to expect mentally.

   
   

8. What do you like to eat before a swim meet? During a meet? After a meet?
   The night before I race I love pasta. Before a meet, I can only eat a bagel with cream cheese. During a meet, not much because of nerves. I do like something salty like wheat thins, and lots of Gu20 (a hydration drink). After the meet, anything I can get my hands on because I'm starving!

   
   

9. What's your favorite food?
   Bagel and cream cheese.

   
   

10. What things do you think are important for swimmers to "be sure they do" in a workout or a meet (assuming these are things you always do, too)!
    Stretch! Relax! Race! Laugh!

    
    

11. Do you have any technique tips or "secrets" you can share?
    Love what you do, and do what you love!

Thank you , Staciana - and Swim On!