Can I do that? Yes, if you dare to DREAM & BELIEVE than PLAN!

I really want to drop five seconds in my 400 and ten seconds in my 800 freestyle. Do you think that is possible?

Absolutely! If you believe it is possible, it is. If you believe it is not possible, it likely isn’t. It is amazing how much our beliefs can alter how our body physically is able to respond.

Often, when I work with clients, in whatever their endeavor, the most common issue is not dreaming big enough, or not believing a lofty idea or dream is really possible. Assuming a person is open to seeing what is possible, it also helps to create a thorough plan (that is reviewed on occasion for adjustments) of what you want to do over the time frame you are looking at.

This summer, we have been blessed to watch the youngest Olympian, Katie Ledecky (age 15) swim the 800 meter freestyle. In two years she has gone “from 8:58.86 in 2010 to 8:19.78 at the 2012 trials…that’s a 39 second drop!!!” per Chris Morgan’s article: http://swimswam.com/2012/07/oh-ye-of-little-faith/

A year ago, she didn’t even have the Olympic trial cut in the 800! Now, she is close to the world record! And I believe that she can continue to drop and potentially get that record here in London!

During my years swimming internationally for Team USA, I roomed a few times with friend, Olympian, and 800 freestyle world record holder, Janet Evans. In 1988, she was one of the few to win against the East Germans.

In my interview with National Team Swimmer, Julie Cooper, Julie shared rooming with Janet in 1989 and how Janet thought before breaking the 800 free world record. http://swimswam.com/2012/07/stories-of-us-national-team-members-and-interview-with-julie-cooper/

From my perspective, a champion creates an amazing life for him/herself. Our minds decide what we want to do and focus on being open to the possibilities (i.e. not just going a certain time, but maybe even faster than what we dared to dream possible).

As the Olympics inspire many people, may Katie and Kate Ziegler (the two American 800 female freestylers) be inspired to bring out their true best as they race in the 800 meter freestyle.

And, may you know that it is okay to dream big, create a plan, and stay committed to the dream.

Copied from swimswam.com

A little bit about the author:

Katrina Radke appeared to be on top of the world. At 14, she was the youngest member of the U.S. National Swim Team, and later she was a member of the 1988 U.S. Olympic team, placing fifth in the 200 meter butterfly at the Seoul Olympic Games. She won four gold medals internationally, held American records, U.S Open records, Australian Open records, and Italian Open records. She served as co-captain of the United States National Swimming Team and held Top 10 World Rankings for seven straight years.

But what nobody knew was that she had been battling immune system issues since the age of 15, ultimately finding herself essentially bedridden, relegated to using handicapped parking, while in her final year of college at Cal Berkeley. After years of mystery, she was finally diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS), a debilitating chronic illness. Once she was able to put a name and face to her disability, she called upon her athlete s determination to fight her way back, ultimately even to swim again at the Olympic Trials. In Be Your Best Without the Stress, Katrina uses her inspirational story to guide others through the minefield of health and wellness issues.

From farm town girl to Olympic Swimmer, to bedridden and beyond, therapist Katrina Radke uses her inspirational story, professional experiences, and powerful yet simple tools to help you find what drives you to be your best, while feeling deeply satisfied in all areas of your life. This life-changing book helps you awaken to lost aspects of yourself, become more aware of your impact and importance, and commit to decisive actions that will help you live your best life, one designed and fulfilled by you.

Keep SHINING! And if you want to learn more about ways to think BIG and take ACTION, check out my book, Be Your Best Without the Stress.

Katrina Radke is an Olympic Swimmer, and Bestselling Author of Be Your Best Without the Stress, where she shares her own Olympic story, and tools for you to realize your true potential.