Katie Ledecky continues to cement her legacy as the greatest freestyler in history. Here are five lessons swimmers can pull from Ledecky.
“I can’t stop smiling.”
Personal best times tend to do that.
On Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, at the TYR Pro Series meet in Fort Lauderdale, Katie Ledecky broke the world record in the 800m freestyle.
Her own record.
A record that had stood since the Rio Olympics.
Nine years ago.
She hadn’t broken a world record in seven years, after going on a run of breaking one seemingly every few weeks, leading to the typical whispers that maybe she wasn’t the same dominant Ledecky anymore.
In Fort Lauderdale, those whispers were quieted:
- 400 freestyle (3:56.81) – Swims her second-time fastest ever
- 800 freestyle (8:04.12) – Breaks her own world record
- 1500 freestyle (15:24.51) – Second fastest time in history
Katie Ledecky went Katie-KaBoom.
During the post-race moments and interviews, Ledecky’s emotion and exuberance was obvious. World records are special, and even for swim fans there was plenty of goosebumps to go around watching her do what she does best.
Ledecky reminded everyone what’s possible when talent, love for the process, and a relentless appetite for learning collide.
Let’s break down some lessons swimmers can pull from Ledecky’s legendary week.
Enjoy the process
Ledecky’s work ethic is well known, but she’s also someone who embraces the day-in and day-out rhythm of swim training.
“I just love the process, love the training more than the racing, and it’s that way even more now.”
👉 Takeaway for swimmers: Finding purpose and joy in the “mundane” day-to-day of swim training helps you fall in love with the process, with successful outcomes a byproduct of this approach.
Be open to greatness
Perhaps the thing that impressed me most about Ledecky’s performance this week is that she’s consistently shown up on race day with an open mindset. I’ve done the work. So why not today? Why not me? Why not a world record?
“I am always striving to be my best and be better than I’ve ever been. That’s not easy when your times are world records in some events. I approach every single race with the attitude that anything can happen, and I can break world records this race. I’m going to step up and throw down.”
👉 Takeaway for swimmers: Do the work in training. And then show up on race day without limiting yourself. Often the big breakthroughs happen when we least expect them because we don’t attach ourselves too firmly to expectations, whether they are internal or external. Leave the door open for success.
Always be learning
Despite Ledecky’s eighteen-page resume of accomplishments in the sport, she is still learning.
At Florida, she’s picked up some little performance-boosting tidbits from teammates, including fellow distance ace Bobby Finke, and coach Anthony Nesty.
Always seeking an edge and always being open to learning.
“I’m learning from my teammates, learning from my coaches, and experimenting still at this age with what works and what doesn’t work.”
👉 Takeaway for swimmers: Elite swimmers know that every practice, every performance, and even other swimmers in the pool represent learning opportunities. Even when you’ve been successful, even when you’re at the top of the podium, stay curious.
Be willing to adapt
Swimming isn’t static. Things are always changing. We get older, the competition gets faster, we get injured, we get bored, coaches retire, we switch teams, we change training groups, and so on.
Despite being the greatest freestyler in history, Ledecky understands that to improve or even to continue performing at an elite level requires continually pushing.
“You can’t do the same thing every year if you want to get different results.”
👉 Takeaway for swimmers: Track your progress, monitor where you are improving, where you’ve stalled, and where you can get better. Swimmers who plateau are often the ones who get comfortable in their routines or don’t lean into the things that will take their swimming to the next level.
Reduce pressure by normalizing big races
Swimmers frequently over-hype themselves before a big race that is important to them.
Whether it’s that final chance to make a cut, your best event at the Big Meet, or just a race where you really, really, really want to do well, when we force a performance by over-emphasizing its importance, our swimming tends to crash.
Ledecky treated the 800m freestyle like every other race that week in order to normalize the moment and keep her focus and intensity in check.
“When I’m on, I’m on and I know it. I knew that I could do something like [break the WR] tonight, but I also told myself not to approach tonight any different than the other races all week.”
👉 Takeaway for swimmers: Reduce performance anxiety that cripples performance by sticking to your routines and preparation. Big race or small race. By using the mindset, pre-race routine, and warm-up that has yielded success in the past—and not changing your usual prep at the last second—you will keep nerves at bay and swim your best.
The Bottom Line
Swimmers often struggle with the mindset part of the sport, and Katie Ledecky, more than just about anyone, exemplifies the power of a resilient and process-oriented mindset.
Find enjoyment in the process and the daily grind. Seek improvement and be open to learning and adapting. Normalize the big moments by treating them like a routine swim. And of course, be an absolute animal at practice.
While Ledecky’s achievements are stratospheric, her mindset is something more of us can aspire to in our endeavors in the pool and beyond.
Happy swimming!
