What's Your "Y" is an interview series dedicated to documenting the incredible athletes that we meet and their stories. Where did they come from? What challenges have they overcome? How did they get to be a part of Team YOLKED? These individuals may range from college athletes to extreme athletes but they all have unique and engaging stories to tell.
What's Your "Y"
Interview with Lance Swanepoel, D1 Swimming Recruit
Give us a brief background of how your sport journey has evolved?
Over the years as an athlete, to stay competitive I have constantly had to push myself to a higher level. Pushing the envelope and moving toward the greater goal has been a constant for me. Progressing from a kid who couldn't make the A relays to a Wisconsin commit and state champion is just proof of this fact.
Who has been your main source of motivation over the years?
My main motivation is my supporters. Every day during my workouts I remind myself that it would be unfair to every person that had supported me. Taking a single lap or rep off was disrespectful to the people who believe in me with their whole hearts. These people are what push me to be my best every day
Where do you find more motivation: doubters or supporters?
While supporters are my constant motivation, doubters take this motivation to the next level for me. I strive constantly to prove these people wrong.
What is the biggest mental challenge you've had to face in your sport and how have you conquered that?
Over the years my biggest mental challenge has been injury.
Dealing with many injuries that took me out of the pool and away from my training made it hard to stay mentally there. I’ve conquered this hurdle by 1. Putting myself in a leadership position in my team so that I could help the team improve even if I can’t be in the water with them, and 2.
Focusing on recovery from sleep, stretching, diet, and supplementing.
What do you do to make sure you're physically and mentally prepared for competition?
Before competition I do the same stretching routine and listen to the same music every time. This helps me be in the right mind space every time I compete. Even at smaller competitions you have to have the same mindset.
Describe your recovery strategies. How do you know if those recovery strategies are working?
My recovery strategies are pretty simple.
Immediately after practice I make myself a protein shake to ensure that I meet my required nutrients. In this shake it’s simply protein, creatine, YOLKED, and milk. This shake I have twice a day every day after both practices (with YOLKED once a day).
Along with this I stretch every night for a minimum of 30 minutes and do a 300+ yard cooldown after every practice
What's Your "Y"?
My Y is simply the people who have made sacrifices for my swimming.
Be that my parents- by paying for the sport and supporting me relentlessly, my friends by sacrificing time with me to support and hold me accountable, and my extended family for being accepting of my schedule and being willing to be flexible for me.
All of these people push me every day, and every lap I take off is simply disrespectful to them.
Where do you see yourself as an athlete in 5 years?
In 5 years I want to be a two time Big 10 champion. I see this happening as well, the work I put in and the dedication I’ve given will get me to the places I want to be.
Favorite motivational quote?
“Hard work is useless for people who don’t believe in themselves.”
Over the last month I have been taking YOLKED after every workout. I can confidently say that many of my gains can be contributed to this supplement. From my bench max going up 25 lbs, to my muscle gain of 18lbs. Soreness that used to take me 2 days to get over now only takes one. YOLKED has truly changed the process of recovery and growth for me over the last month.