Partially blind U.S. swimmer Gia Pergolini just made waves at the Paris Paralympics, snagging the nation’s first gold medal in swimming. This isn’t her first rodeo either—she dominated the 100m backstroke S13 in Tokyo, and now she’s done it again in Paris. As the world record holder, Gia came heartbreakingly close to matching her own best time, missing it by just 0.029 seconds with a finish of 1:04.93. Still, gold is gold, and Gia’s not one to dwell on the milliseconds.

Gia admitted she was on “autopilot” for most of the race, but her secret weapon has always been her positive mindset, no matter what. And it’s clearly working because her winning streak is alive and well in Paris. After the race, Gia opened up about what drove her to victory. Watching the jaw-dropping performances from Olympians just a few weeks ago lit a fire under her, pushing her to go all out. And that’s exactly what she did.

“I mean, I was just looking at the Olympians that competed here three weeks ago, a month ago. And they did so well and I was like, ‘You know, I have to bring home the gold for the United States and try to keep what the Olympians did for us.’ And it’s just such an amazing feeling. I’m just so happy to represent my country and win its first gold. I mean, s*** never gets old. It really never gets old, but it was painful. You would think it gets easier as time goes on, but I’m dying, but it was so great.”

Gia Pergolini is, without a doubt, the reigning queen of her category in Paralympic swimming. She’s been proving that time and again, and Paris was just the latest chapter in her story of dominance. While her Tokyo gold is a highlight, her incredible haul at the World Championships speaks volumes too—eight medals in total, including two golds. And let’s not forget that she snagged six of those medals in a single edition in Madeira. Gia isn’t just winning—she’s making it look effortless. So, what’s her secret? What sets Gia apart from the countless other athletes? It’s not just her natural talent, though that’s undeniable!

Gia Pergolini’s secret: What makes her so successful?

From an early age, Gia Pergolini has been honing her craft, focusing not just on physical training but also on the mental game. Her journey to Paralympic greatness is nothing short of inspiring. As a kid, she was all about sports—gymnastics, soccer, and, of course, swimming. But when she was diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease, a rare eye condition, she made the life-changing decision to focus solely on swimming. And it turned out to be the best choice she could have made.

By the time she was 15, Gia was already smashing records, setting the American record for the 100m backstroke with a time of 1:07.97. She didn’t stop there—two years later, she broke her own world record twice, first at the Tokyo Paralympics trials with 1:05.05 and then again in the finals with 1:04.64, earning her first Paralympic gold. Now, at just 20 years old, she’s a two-time Paralympic gold medalist with her sights set on more. So, what’s Gia’s secret to success?

Paris 2024 Paralympics – Swimming – Women’s 100m Backstroke – S13 Final – Paris La Defense Arena, Nanterre, France – August 30, 2024 Gia Pergolini of United States celebrates after winning the final REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge

Believe it or not, it’s music. Gia has shared that she’s pretty laid-back before her races, and her pre-competition ritual involves dancing around her dressing room to the beats of Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Britney Spears. It’s her way of easing the stress and getting into the zone. “I goof off. I’m a dancer and I love dancing in the ready room. I put on my music – my Lady Gaga, Madonna and Britney Spears, and I just goof off. It sure does do the trick for me! It destresses the environment I’m in… I just want to soak in every minute and not let it go to my head and let it freak me out,” she told Olympics.com.

By the time she steps onto the starting block, she’s fully focused and ready to go. And clearly, it’s a strategy that’s working wonders for her. As for the future, Gia has confirmed she’ll be competing in Los Angeles in four years, and she’s got some extra motivation. Her brother promised to take her to Vegas and a Lady Gaga concert if she competes, and according to Gia, that’s a deal too sweet to pass up. So, here’s to hoping we see more of her incredible performances—and maybe a few more dance moves—on the road to LA 2028!