Competitive swimmer Gretchen Walsh is an amazing athlete and a world record holder. On a video of her and her friends having fun, she posted a TikTok captioned, “pre meet warmup to Gracie #thatssotrue #uvaswimdive #studentathlete.” Even serious athletes know how to unwind and have fun, finding balance. Here’s what she does to stay in shape.
She celebrates her success. “If you told me three months ago what I was going to accomplish in the 100 fly this summer, I would not have believed you. Here’s to America, going 1-2 with @torri_huske, and my beautiful silver medal 🥈❤️,” she said on Instagram on photos of her with her medal, celebrating.
She enjoys discovering new destinations. On a photo series of her exploring Portugal, she captioned her Instagram post with “the sights have been seen 😎.” According to Allina Health, you should “take a vacation if you can, even if it’s a staycation. Time away from the stresses of work and daily life can improve your health, relationships, job performance and perspective. A well-timed trip can help you feel refreshed and more prepared to handle whatever comes when you return.”
She’s grateful for the love and support she receives through her hard work, training and competitions. “Some of my favorite hugs from a whole 9 days full of them🤗🤗🤗,” she said on a slideshow of photos and videos on Instagram, showing how much the support keeps her motivated.
She’s proud of her accomplishments, but stays humble. “I still cannot find the words to describe all of the emotions of last night. World Record⁉️⁉️ I may have been shocked, but I am so grateful to my entire support system of family, coaches, and friends who all knew I could. Thank you for believing in me. Ready to go for one last 100 fly in Indy tonight,” she said on a slideshow of photos on Instagram.
She pushes through tough times and mental blocks. “Ever since the last Olympic Trials, I have been struggling with a mental block in what used to be my best and favorite event – the 100 free. It’s been a long journey but after three years and two disappointing qualifying meets, I’m finally back on the right foot. I couldn’t have gotten to this point without the help of Christen. With her guidance and advice, I have learned how to navigate high pressure situations. When I used to get nervous, I would doubt myself and my training. My mind would prepare for the worst possible outcomes and trick itself into thinking that I didn’t know what I was doing. Now I have learned new strategies that get me out of this hole. I’m grateful everyday to feel like myself again doing the sport I love thanks to @coach_christen,” she said on Instagram.