From a swim meet, Elizabeth Beisel sent an email, “I am so sorry . . . I hope this helps!” Even during ongoing competitions, Beisel was true to her word. It seems her external championships in swimming were reflective of her internal qualities as a human being.

Part of her dedication comes from the example of her parents. Beisel shared with me her gratitude for their support. “The amount that they have done for me is absolutely amazing. I practice up in Attleboro, Massachusetts and coming from North Kingstown that is a 45-minute drive every night for just one trip. Up until a few weeks ago, they were driving me but I just recently got my license so in a way me driving myself up there every night is a way my parents get to relax and enjoy time together. I can not imagine doing what they have done for me and it is incredible the amount of support and love they have for me whether I swim well or poorly.”

Beisel herself has made her own sacrifices. “It is tough being a teenager and not being able to go out on Friday and Saturday with my school friends because I either have practice or a meet. Its also tough in school because sometimes I miss weeks at a time, and making up the work is definitely a struggle.”

Yet even with missing school weeks at a time, Beisel’s faith, zeal, and tenacity have kept her propelling forward as she successfully surrounds herself with supportive friends, and has been blessed with understanding teachers. Most importantly, her integrity keeps her responding to all work even when away. She has managed to keep a 3.5 grade point average.

Why so much sacrifice and work for this sport? “I learned to swim when I was 6 months old and my parents couldn’t get me out of the water. I always had a love for water and that is what makes me love the sport.” That is not to say that Beisel does not have her days of insecurity like all of us. “Having confidence is sometimes a struggle I have because I am always hard on myself. Not knowing what is going to happen in the future is scary and I definitely doubt myself when I either have a hard practice or a bad race. I just think about the amount of fun I have with teammates and how amazing it is when I swim well. It becomes worth it.” However, it is her willingness to overcome that makes her a champion, a lesson we all can carry.

With uncompromising optimism and a good support infrastructure Beisel presses on. “Sometimes the going gets tough, but just knowing how well the future can turn out and how much fun I have with all of my teammates and coaches helps me get through bad swims or a bad race. I get so much support and I swim for my parents and friends who are always with me.”

True to her heart and one with her passions, Beisel teaches us all to remember what is most important as we walk through our daily lives, leaving us with this final lesson that can help us all in our personal Olympics. “Stay with it as long as you love it.”