Swimming is the sport of choice for our family.

I was a swimmer, so for me – I thought it would be fun to get the kids involved in it. I strongly believe that it’s a skill everyone should possess, so I really wanted the boys to understand the fundamentals.

When William was 5 years old, I put him on a swim team. I was told as long as he could swim on lap without stopping, he could be on it. It took him over a minute to get to the other end of the pool, but he did it.

Alexander started when he was 5.
Ben started when he was 6.
Henry started when he was 5.

Throughout the last 6 years my sons have all grown into strong, strong swimmers. They won very cool accolades. Broke records. Collected many ribbons and medals. Stood on podium blocks. I’ve been proud, very – very proud. As their mom, I’ve ALWAYS tried my best to keep swimming fun. Swimming isn’t always an easy sport to participate in. It’s hours in the pool by yourself, swimming up and down a lane. It’s early hours to meets, cold pools, hard practices and you don’t have anyone to depend on but yourself.

I’ve always talked about Michael Phelps in our family with our boys as the ultimate swimmer. He just gets the job done. I’ve always appreciated his humble he is when he’s being interviewed. He always has the mindset that the score will be settled in the pool.

Michael Phelps training to be the best – the very best – is something he works hard at, crazy hard. Swimming is his life, it’s his job… so it’s very different for him that it is for most people. Under Armour just released their Michael Phelps #RuleYourself commercial and it’s incredible. Speechless incredible.

You really get a little peek behind the curtain in the life of Michael Phelps in this ad. I guess you can’t be the best without some blood, sweat and tears (literally).

I’m not sure if I’d want this for myself (or my kids – but that’s their call), but holy-crazy-training.

Bravo to Under Armour for giving people everywhere the ability to look at this ad and telling people to #RuleYourself

“It’s what you do in the dark that puts you in the light.”

This is true for everything in the world.

Go out there – work hard, focus and go get them!