“I was choking”: Regan Smith Recalls Hitting Rock Bottom Days Before US Swimming Olympic Trials

For three-time Olympic medalist Regan Smith, the pressure leading up to the 2021 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials was almost too much to bear. The expectations and hype surrounding the young swimming phenom had become overwhelming, causing crippling anxiety and fear. Smith’s love for the sport she had excelled at since childhood was being overshadowed by dread and doubt.

In an interview with StarTribune, Smith opened up about hitting rock bottom just days before the all-important Olympic Trials. “In the [200 back] final at the trials, I felt like a scared zoo animal on display, with no escape,” she recalled. For an athlete at the peak of her talents, those are shocking words that shed light on the immense mental strain elite competitors can face.

At just 22 years old, Regan Smith has already experienced the soaring highs and crushing lows that can come with being an elite athlete. With a personal best of 2:03.35, the world-record holder seemed to be the favorite for the 200m backstroke. Fans were looking forward to watching her clinch a gold and possibly shatter her world record. But things didn’t pan out as expected. 

Smith expressed the overwhelming fear, dread, and anxiety she felt before one particular race causing her to essentially give up mid-swim, wishing for it to be over as she choked on the water. She labeled this as the “scariest, most paralyzing race” of her career. Despite swimming through this fear in the heats and the semi-finals, her signature event, the 200-meter backstroke, had become a source of angst rather than the joy it once brought her.

“I was choking on the water. It felt like a fight-or-flight situation.“ She further elaborated, “There was no fight in me at all. No motivation, no competitive drive. That was rock bottom for me.” The event caused immense stress for Smith, further affecting her mental well-being. However, the effects of this traumatic experience were far deeper than she expected. She recalls being so embarrassed by it that she cried for a week. But she found a silver lining through it all. Strangely, not having to face the event under the Olympic spotlight left her relieved. 

The Olympic Trials had previously been postponed due to the pandemic, and not being able to train due to the pool shutdown had already disrupted her routine. Her fitness and technique during this period were heavily affected, as were her anxiety and stress levels. But now that she has put all of this behind her, will we see Regan Smith at the Paris Olympics?

Having regained her confidence, Regan Smith is now eying Paris

The 2021 trials might have left her shattered, but she had her eye on making the Summer Olympics in the French capital. To regain her footing, a few changes had to be made. Her first step was to relocate to Tempe, Arizona. Smith made the strategic decision to train under Michael Phelps’ coach, Bob Bowman.

She believed his straightforward approach would help her find her way back. “Bob is just great at giving us the work like it’s cut and dry. It’s plain and simple,” under his guidance, Smith soon began to see a stark difference in her mental health and performance. Training with Bowman helped her overcome the hurdles that were holding her back. When April came around the corner, Smith was back to swim valiantly once more. 

Regan Smith has also tirelessly been working with a sports psychologist, helping her have her anxiety in control. With a clear, focused mind, Smith is now preparing for the upcoming U.S. Trials. Will Regan Smith swim her way to Olympic glory, or will she succumb to the pressure once again? Only time will tell.