[ PHOTO BY BECCA WYANT ]
Katie McLaughlin Finds New Perspective Heading into Olympic Trials — From Coaching BY DAN D'ADDONA
K
atie McLaughlin was starting to struggle as a professional swimmer.
She hadn’t felt the same purpose since being on Cal’s team, contending for NCAA championships.
After being a key member of Cal’s team, things were different as a professional.
“I struggled not having a team and being on my own. It is just different when you are not on the college team. I was trying to find my purpose. I felt kind of selfish swimming on my own to go best times. I asked myself why I was doing it. Having the coaching the senior group at North Bay Aquatics gives me such a purpose. That really got me through the double Olympic year,” she said. “What would I want the kids to take away from a bad race and it helps me have perspective on what to take away myself.”
Sure, she was training in the same pool as the current Bears, but as a graduate, the situation is different. While some of the Bears were her former teammates, they simply aren’t anymore after graduation — at least not in the same way. McLaughlin, like most pros, found the situation difficult to adjust to at first. Swimming for the team is the focus of most college athletes, and the vibe just changes after graduating. Then the pandemic hit, which didn’t help either, but McLaughlin found some new perspective from what seemed like an unlikely source. She started to coach. “A big thing I feel like has really helped my swimming in general is starting to coach. That honestly got me through the pandemic. I was going to only do it over the summer, but I am still doing it now. I go 6-7 hours a week,” Katie McLaughlin told Swimming World. “It got me through my pro life struggles. Just having a different perspective on swimming. It has given me so much more gratitude and better appreciation for what I get to do and more of a purpose.” 34
BIWEEKLY
SWIMMINGWORLD.COM
There have been plenty of transitions for McLaughlin, who had shoulder surgery last year, which changed her training and recovery. She also competed in the International Swimming League (ISL) season shortly after, which went well considering the injury, though McLaughlin was nowhere near the times she envisioned for herself pre-surgery. It was a big step in the road to recovery as she prepares for the Olympic Trials with hopes of making the team. “I feel pretty good. I have been training well and racing well. If I were to give myself a little test, I am where I want to
