There's a famous photo from the Rio Olympics that explains how...
Bob Bowman@coach_bowman
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Nov 11, 2026
~1 min read
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There's a famous photo from the Rio Olympics that explains how champions think.
It's the 200 butterfly. That's Michael Phelps, and Chad le Clos in the next lane (I coached Michael for about 20 years). 🧵
It's the 200 butterfly. That's Michael Phelps, and Chad le Clos in the next lane (I coached Michael for about 20 years). 🧵
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Look at their eyes.
Michael's looking straight ahead.
Chad is looking at Michael.
Michael's looking straight ahead.
Chad is looking at Michael.
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Now, Chad's a great swimmer. He beat Michael in that event in London.
But in that moment, he's swimming Michael's race instead of his own.
Michael won the gold medal. Chad didn't medal.
But in that moment, he's swimming Michael's race instead of his own.
Michael won the gold medal. Chad didn't medal.
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And that's what I try to teach every athlete I coach.
Focus your energy on the things you control: how you're gonna swim your race, not what somebody two lanes over is doing. You can't do anything about them.
Focus your energy on the things you control: how you're gonna swim your race, not what somebody two lanes over is doing. You can't do anything about them.
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If you take one thing from this: whatever you're going after, keep your eyes on your own wall.
Compete against your own best, not the person next to you.
Compete against your own best, not the person next to you.
