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.

At first I thought, "oh, Katie Ledecky got a ghost writer..." It started out slow and I was certain it wouldn't be memorable or impactful. With each page I turned, however, I started hearing the author's voice more clearly (I've never heard Ledecky speak except in things like post-race interviews... but her voice was remarkable in this book.) I loved the messages, what she chose to focus on and share, and the bigger picture of how this gifted athlete approaches sport and life. HIGHLY recommend. Well worth the read.

A great book and motivater

I have been a fan of Katie’s for years. She is incredible and such an inspiration for young swimmers. This book highlights her hard work and dedication to the sport. It is geared more towards young adults/adults so I don’t recommend this for younger kids.

Great book Katie is a amazing athlete

Amazing story of the greatest female Olympic and World Champion freestyle swimmer. Her story is waiting for the next chapter to be written.

What makes one of the most successful athletes in history who she is and who she became. Fascinating insights, we are all humans and can excel with the right mindset. Great athletes can be still be great people and spread motivation and the love of sports.

We waited for a long while for this to come out.. such a honest pure read… our 10 year old looks up to this swimmer and this book came to us at a very important time. One of the best books I’ve read..

O livro é ótimo. A compra foi feita sem problemas e a entrega cumpriu o prazo estipulado. Recomendo.

My daughter is into swimming and Katie is her role model. It's a very motivating book which talks of all her experiences and many instances where she lifted herself up after being down in adverse situations to win in the end.

A great read by Olympian Swimmer Katie Ledecky 😊 I took it on my recent interstate road trip and it was great, absolutely loved reading it and it was well worth the wait I had imposed on myself (not to read it, even though I had received it via post a few weeks before the trip, and to just wait until we actually got in the car and started our road trip before I could start reading it). So well worth the wait! I will definitely read it again 😊