Talking to Dara Torres

I know I’ve been away.

My own mother has asked me why I haven’t updated my blog recently, but I’ve been so busy. It’s really not an excuse, there are just 24 hours in a day and I have to use at least 6 of them to sleep. My preference would be to utilize a full 8 hours but I have to settle for less.

Now I’m back and trying to blog more consistently. I’ve said that before but I need another chance.

My first blog back is pretty cool (I think).

I interviewed Dara Torres and I wanted to post some of the interview I conducted. First of all, Dara’s abs are every woman’s dream, but her personal story is what’s truly inspirational. I like that in her new book, Age is Just a Number, she doesn’t only talk about her amazing success but also about some of her difficult times and the obstacles she overcame.

ANITA: What advice do you have for moms who feel they are indeed too old to do something or to try something after they have children?

DARA: My advice for these moms would be not to think that way. You’re never too old to do or try to do something, including after you have children.

ANITA: What was it like to train for the Olympics in your early forties? Is training different for you now that you’re older than it was when you were younger?

DARA: Training for the Olympics in my forties was a lot different than when I was younger. At my age, I have to be much more aware about what of my body can and can’t do. Recovery time for my body is very different now than what it was when I was training for the Olympics as a teenager.

ANITA: Is your relationship to the sport different now that you are older?

DARA: Yes, my relationship with swimming has definitely changed with age. I see it from a different perspective and appreciate it so much more than I did when I was younger.

ANITA:Has being a mom made a difference in your experience as an athlete and at the Olympics?

DARA: Being a mom made me realize that being an athlete and making it to the Olympics is not the most important thing. Realizing that really helped take the pressure off as I was training for the 2008 Olympics.

ANITA: You talk about infertility in your book – what got you through those tough times?

DARA: There were a lot of ups and downs and it was a really tough time in my life because I had no control. As an athlete, I’m used to having power over the outcome, I know what I have to do in order to win a race; but with this, there wasn’t anything I could do and there were no guarantees that I would have a baby.

ANITA: All women struggle with body image. You truly look amazing yet you’ve struggle with an eating disorder. Do you have insights you can share about your own experience and how you overcame bulimia?

DARA: I was embarrassed about my eating disorder and was afraid to talk to someone about it. Getting over the embarrassment was difficult for me but I got tired of keeping my bulimia a secret and consented to get help.

ANITA:Do you still have tough days?

DARA: No, I am over my eating disorder completely.

ANITA: Your father passed away and you write about how difficult it was. What helped you make it through those sad times?

DARA: The first year was really hard; it was an emotional roller coaster for me. I felt like my father was still with me and that helped make it easier.

ANITA: Do you consider competing at the next Olympics?

DARA: Yes but I would have to take a lot of things into consideration. I’m going to have to see what happens this summer with Nationals and Worlds.

ANITA: Do you have future plans for what you’ll do after you’re done swimming professionally?

DARA: No, I’m still trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up.

I loved the last thing she said. I too feel that I’m still trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up. Thinking about Dara I can’t help but envy her six pack….but as I stare at a picture of her super-defined stomach I realize that I’d settle for a two pack and it wouldn’t even have to look half as good as hers…