Spending hours soaking up the sunshine on an outdoor pool deck while watching bikini-clad coeds tone their athletic physiques is treacherous duty, so I should start by thanking my fantastic wife, Leslie, for greenlighting this project, and Teri McKeever for giving me access, trust, time, and insight into an incredible sport.
When I wasn’t learning from Teri or her swimmers, I was soaking up knowledge from Whitney Hite, Jen Strasburger, Carol Capitani, Dave Salo, Adam Crossen, Tom McCook, and Milt Nelms. Thanks especially to Whitney and Milt for making me aware of such diverse philosophical approaches and explaining them in terms that even a football writer can grasp. And a big shout-out to McCall Dorr for her incisive portrayal of the aquatic experience.
Now that I understand at least a little about the sport’s demands, I have mad respect for the many student-athletes with whom I got to hang. Thanks to all of the Golden Bear swimmers, especially: Gina Merlone, whose brilliant books I will someday enjoy; Helen and Emily Silver, my faux nieces and future world rulers; Marcelle Miller, for her principle and passion; Lauren Medina, for bringing salsa picante to the pool and beyond; Amy Ng, the ultimate high achiever; Erin Reilly, grinding in the water and grinning outside of it; Emma Palsson, everyone’s favorite Swede, and for good reason; Lisa Morelli, for her kindness and enthusiasm; Ashley Chandler, high-energy rock and roll; Kate Tiedeman, chopping down the Tree with a smile; Erin Calder, nobody yells louder; Kelly Sanders, Micha Burden, Keiko Amano, Rachel Ridgeway, and the rest of you water warriors. Thanks also to Haley Clark, Leah Monroe, and honorary Bear Keiko Price for the generous contributions to Natalie’s story.
The Cal athletic department is blessed with some profoundly dedicated and dynamic people, beginning with my friend and former study partner Mohammed Muqtar, the de facto mayor of Berkeley and a huge reason that this project got started in the first place. Thanks also to Steve Gladstone, Mark Stephens, Teresa Kuehn, Sandy Barbour, Foti Mellis, Karen Moe Humphreys, Beth Nitzberg, Dayna Sannazzaro, Herb Benenson, Bob Rose, Josh Flushman, and so many of you others (you know who you are) at God’s University. A big high-five to unofficial Cal sports minister Adam Duritz for hangin’ around, and to all of the littlegamers and other athletic supporters who do our school so proud.
Even before she presented me with the most beautifully ridiculous hat ever conceieved, Kathie Wickstrand-Gahen enlightened me about the sport of swimming in general, and her very special friend in particular.
I am eternally indebted to the Coughlin family (Jim, Zennie, Megan, Chuck, and Zennie Bohn) for their kindness and generosity during an intensely charged time. They and the rest of our Athens entourage—Ethan Hall, Tom Griffin, and of course the iconic Dan (The Man) Pedone—were ambassadors of good will.
In addition to keeping a watchful eye over Natalie’s affairs, the genuine and outstanding Janey Miller—with help from Michael (Keep Silver Away From My Gold Shoes) Johnson—had my back in Greece when I was flat on it.
I am thrilled to be represented by the unparalleled David Black, whose awesome agency (with the help of his colleagues Gary Morris, Jason Sacher, and David Larabell) is a writer’s dream, and whose vision and determination made this book a reality.
Similarly, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the good people of Rodale (Steve Murphy, Heidi Rodale, Emily Williams, Jeremy Katz, Jessica Roth, and so many others) for believing in this project and getting it in fighting shape.
When I’m not hanging out on pool decks, I’m Sports Illin’ like a villain, and I’m grateful to the Powers That Be (Terry McDonell, Norm Pearlstine, John Huey, et al) for their support. Thanks also to my football homies (Mark Godich, Mark Mravic, Peter King, Paul Zimmerman, Jeff Chadiha, Nunyo Demasio) for making life on the NFL beat grand, and to colleagues like George Dohrmann, Seth Davis, and Austin Murphy for helping me to stay somewhat sane.
Mike Fleiss, Rick Telander, Richard Weiner, Josh Elliott, Jarrett Bell, Karen Tongson, Mychael Urban, Groz, Gas, and Kate Troescher are among the highly creative friends whose work inspires me on those late-night caffeine binges. And Julie Foudy, Brandi Chastain, Mia Hamm, and Kristina Thorson are among the women from whose athletic brilliance I derive so much enduring pleasure.
Those closest to me made major sacrifices in the course of this endeavor, and everything I do or am starts with my boundless love for Leslie, Natalie, Greg, Robbie, and Dr. J. Mom, Dad, Elizabeth, Mark, Sofia, Ava, Barbara, Larry, the overflowing and outstanding Goyette clan; my awesome aunts, uncles, and cousins; and all the friends who haven’t yet fled—thanks so much for being there. And our family would especially like to thank all the awesome healers in our lives, including Dr. Suruchi Bhatia, Dr. Nicole Glaser, Dr. Lenny Dragone, and Dr. Mary Jones.
Finally, in addition to being a fascinating interview subject, Natalie Coughlin is a great person whose faith, intelligence, and openness were the most important elements of this project. She has the dignity, grace, and self-awareness of a grandmother and the appetite of a teenager; some of the meals we shared were as memorable as the swims. Working with her could not have been more fun, and watching her fulfill her dreams was one of the coolest things I’ve ever witnessed.
I eagerly await the encore in Beijing.