Samantha Straw

What are some of your most memorable moments or achievements?

To this day, my biggest achievement remains returning to competitive swimming after stopping for almost four years. It was extremely challenging getting back into training and especially getting back into the racing mindset. I am proud of myself for pushing through, and I have met amazing people who I have made tons of memories with after starting again. I am grateful for a good support system, and I believe that it is important to acknowledge small wins.

What are some of your top tips?

1. Avoid comparing yourself to others. It is always good to know who your competition is and what the standard is, but everyone’s journey looks different. Never compare your training, eating habits etc. with someone else’s. Do what works for you.

2. When racing, make sure that you always have duplicates of everything. Extra racers, goggles, caps etc. are very important, because you never know what might happen. Be prepared for any scenario.

3. Don’t estimate the importance of sunscreen! Whether you are training or racing outside, give yourself 5 minutes to apply sunscreen. Your skin will thank you in the future.

Apart from swimming, what do you do for fun?

I love my family dearly and I spend as much time as I can with them. We spend quality time together and I love to take my dog, Willie, on walks. I also love drawing, painting and doodling while watching my favourite series.

What is your favourite Speedo product and why?

My favourite Speedo product is by far the training costumes. I feel comfortable, but most importantly, I also feel confident. As a woman who walks around in a costume for most of the day, it really does wonders for my performance and self-esteem when I feel confident in what I wear.