Natalie Coughlin: The Perfect Swimming Idol

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

By Grace Hoffmann, Swimming World College Intern

When asked who my favorite swimmer was when I was little, with no hesitation, I would answer Natalie Coughlin.

She’s strong. She’s powerful. She’s fast.

She has been one of America’s leading female swimmers for years now. She qualified for every event at summer nationals when she was 16 years old. She was the first woman to break a minute in the 100m backstroke. Not only has she embraced and helped the sport of swimming evolve, she has also given back to the sport and been a strong and powerful leader for young swimmers to look up to.

Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant

Coughlin, born in Vallejo, California, started swimming at a very young age. Dedication, passion, and success in the sport allowed her to continue her career at the University of California-Berkeley. At Cal, she won 12 NCAA titles. Today, she still has her name on the record board in multiple events including both backstroke and butterfly races, and the 100 freestyle.

In addition to her decorated college career, Coughlin has had much success internationally and while representing Team USA. Her list of accomplishments is quite lengthy. To cover a few, she won the gold medal in the 100m backstroke at the 2004 AND 2008 Olympic Games. In 2010, at the Pan Pacific Championships, she won the gold medal in the 100m freestyle and contributed to the first place finish of the 400m freestyle relay. At World Championships in 2013, Coughlin aided in the success and victory of the 400m freestyle relay once again.

However, when I look at Coughlin, I don’t focus solely on her swimming accomplishments. I believe Coughlin is more than a swimming idol. She’s an inspiration to young girls through her body confidence. She promotes a healthy lifestyle. She shows the world that she loves swimming but she also has other interests too– an important concept for all swimmers to understand.

Photo Courtesy: JD Lasica

Coughlin addressed “body image” in an interview with ESPN magazine. She noted that, “There were times when I wasn’t happy with my body, but I always knew that I was really fit and that it was what allowed me to be successful in the pool.”

Embracing her body allowed her for more success in the pool. This is a hard concept for many female athletes to understand. However, Coughlin’s confidence and ability to discuss the topic has encouraged many other swimmers to do so too. Coughlin has successfully shown young athletes that a healthy body is the best type of body by voicing her interest of food and a healthy cooking.

Follow her on social media and you’ll see how much she loves her food! In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, Coughlin expressed that she “took a cooking class and started reading food magazines and books and watching food shows on TV.” She grows a lot of her vegetables at home and makes nutritious meals to fuel her body. Natalie Coughlin has used her hobby and love of cooking to become more successful in swimming. She has shown young swimmers the importance of eating right.

Outside of swimming and training, Coughlin also gives back to communities and causes she feels strongly about. Her involvement with charities such as the David Andrew “Pooh” Foundation, Right to Play, and the Edible Schoolyard Project show her generosity. Coughlin’s ability to support charities and be an influence on others in and out of the pool makes her a great role model. She’s not just an idol swimmer, she’s more. Her speed and success made her my favorite swimmer when I was little. The positivity and energy that radiates from her in everything she does explains why she is still my favorite swimmer to this day.

Coughlin could retire from the sport of swimming at any point and still be considered one of the best swimmers in history. However, she continues to train and continues to inspire young athletes.

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Photo Courtesy: Swimming World Magazine

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Chuck Kroll

8 years ago

Very nice article on a wonderful young woman that is an incredible example of excellence on many levels.

Over the years I have had the opportunity to watch Natalie swim both live and on television. Her accomplishments in the water are of record from the NCAAs, to National events, to even the world stage including the Olympics.

I have seen her on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and even watched her cooking talents on the TV show Chopped.’ This past summer I had the pleasure of meeting Natalie in person at the Santa Clara Int’l Invitational.

During our first meeting on deck and then later in the day as she signed my copy of her biography ‘Golden Girl’ I was struck by how gracious a person, a champion, a USA Nat’l Swim Team member she truly is. As a Nation we are blessed and privileged to have such a representative of our sport.