Dara Torres

Most Decorated US Female Olympic Athlete/ 5X Olympic Veteran/NY Times Best Selling Author

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Dara begins the show by telling us what “Be the Exception” means and how to achieve it. What the Star-Spangled Banner takes her to when she hears it these days, how growing up with 5 siblings instilled competition and the age she started swimming. Does she get nervous watching her daughter play? Was it the love of swimming or passion for competition that was greater? What did sport teach Dara and did playing multiple sports help her in swim and competition?

We hear about how she overcame an eating disorder that was the darkest years of her life (5 years). What HOF Coach Mark Schubert did for her career, when did the Olympics first become a goal for Dara that leads to how to stay focused once you are competing in the water. Hear about the nerves of being in her first Olympics (LA-84) and being on stage in front of the world to see. She shares her story that almost led her to being replaced in the finals. 

We get the reason to choose U of Fl & how she handled swim and her degree. What drives her to be better along with how she was able to stay grounded. We then get into a discussion about life after the Olympics, coming out of retirement in 2000 for Sydney and 2008 Beijing. Her feelings of making the Olympics at age 41 vs 17. Hear about her books (See links), being an Olympic ambassador, being a role model, what she most proud of, and has she ever thought of being a coach for the Olympics? Advice for anyone with aspirations of being an Olympian. 

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The injuries that occurred and how long they kept her out of competition.

The reason to be part of the Princess Charlene of Monaco initiative on drowning prevention.

Competing 5 times in Toyota Pro/Celebrity Grand Prix.

Story behind being the host of Billy banks Tae-Bo Infomercial. 

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/beforethelights)

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