Just Add Water

My Swimming Life

By: Katie Ledecky

Narrated by: Katie Ledecky

New York Times Bestseller

A candid and inspiring memoir from Olympic gold medalist, world champion, and one of the best swimmers ever to compete: Katie Ledecky.

Katie Ledecky has won more individual Olympic races than any female swimmer in history. She is a three-time Olympian, a seven-time gold medalist, a twenty-one-time world champion, eight-time NCAA Champion, and a world record-holder in individual swimming events. Time and again, the question is posed to her family, her coaches, and to her—what makes her a champion? Now, for the first time, she shares what it takes to compete at an elite level.

Again and again, Ledecky has broken records: those of others and, increasingly, her own. She is both consistent and innovative—consistent at setting goals and shattering them, and innovative in the way she approaches her training. A true competitor, she sets her goals by choosing the ones that feel the scariest. But, crucially, she never sacrifices the joy of competition, even in the face of adversity. Her positive mental outlook and a great support system provides the springboard to her success.

Just Add Water charts Ledecky’s life in swimming. It details her start in Bethesda, Maryland, where she played sharks and minnows and first discovered the joy of the pool; her early foray into the Olympics at the tender age of fifteen where, as the youngest member of the American team, she stunned everyone by winning her first gold medal; her time balancing competition and her education at Stanford University; how she developed a champion’s mindset that has allowed her to persevere through so many meets, even under intense pressure; and how she has maintained her dominance in a sport where success depends on milliseconds. You learn how every element of her life—from the support of her family to the tutelage of her coaches, from her childhood spent in summer league swimming to the bright lights of Olympic pools in London, Rio, and Tokyo—set her up to become the champion she is.

In the end, Katie’s story is about testing yourself against the difficult, and seeing who you become on the other side.

©2024 Katie Ledecky (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

Fantastic Book!

Katey’s life story is unique and motivating! Her commitment to her sport and family is incredible. I especially enjoyed the last chapter. Thank You!

Just add Katie!

Discovering the kind of person Ms. Ledecky is as much as learning about her swimming prowess made this book more enjoyable than it otherwise would have been. Her humility, integrity and devotion to her Catholic faith inspired me as much as all those medals. Audio books are also always better when the author reads them which Ms. Ledecky does this one. She is an inspiration champion and one our young people can try to emulate in many ways! Thank you for Just Add Water!

Graceful, Charming, Thoughtful and Humble - Katie Ledecky’s Memoir is the Whole Package

When listening to a work of fiction, I expect the narrator to BE each individual character, to include accents and dialects.

When I listen to a person’s memoir, I want to hear their story, from their perspective and, if possible, in their own voice. Katie Ledecky has the same light hearted and joyful voice as all of the interviews you’ve ever heard her speak. She reads her book as if you are one of her close friends, sitting on the couch across from her as she regales you with her amazing story! You can almost picture her lovely grin and playful demeanor as she talks to you.

I love that her passion for swimming, family, friends, causes she champions, mentorship of young kids, and integrity for herself and holding accountable all international swimmers to anti-doping rules, is woven throughout the book. Each chapter builds onto the next and weaves a beautiful picture of her life… with all of the ups and downs, twists and turns that life gives us, and she works through each thing with a servant’s heart, humility and grace.

I am happy to say that all ages in my household loved this book, both in written and audio formats! All of us happen to be swimmers as well - most recreational/club or Master’s, and one long distance swimmer. We are proud that Katie Ledecky represents the US internationally.

I believe that you will love this book as much as we did!

Insight into what matters the most

I love how she told her journey by describing not only specific events, but dedicating whole chapters to specific people & organizations along the way that have helped get her to where she is today.

Katie The All American Girl

I’ve loved Katie forever well since 2012 at least. I love her are the more now, after leaning a big part of her story. She is just an amazing young woman. Her maturity was excellent at a very young age. This book was extremely well written, and she did a fantastic job narrating it!

It takes a village

I love This story of Katie and her family!! I also related to women's athletic opportunities in the 70's. or lack of.
What a treasure this story is.

Authentically kind, well written, intelligent, inspiring, enjoyable, and relatable

Ms. Ledecky’s memoir is extremely well written, intelligent, and, most importantly, reflective of her authentic human kindness that is clearly built upon her open and steadfast faith and her effective integration of her unique talents into the world of those around her. I would recommend it to anyone who seeks a boost of inspiration. I am particularly appreciative of the fact that Katie authored all of this herself, as no ghost writer is listed. Perhaps Ms. Ledecky has a future in writing following the eventual close of her professional athletic career, if she were to so choose! Vis-à-vis her own recording of her book, I find that she has succeeded at her very first effort in this domain, as it’s an easy, enjoyable, relatable listen at any time of day. Thanks so much to her for sharing her story with us and for gently challenging us all, through her present example, to share the very best of our own intrinsic human gifts with others in quite a disciplined, yet balanced and thoughtful manner.

Great Listen

I enjoyed this book and also it was great to listen from Katie herself. Gives you motivation and determination if you are up to something in your life.

She added water

Read by Katie, it was an enjoyable and informative biography of one of the greatest swimmers of all time.

A great story about her life and accomplishments so far

I really liked this book. I don’t follow swimming other than if I happen to catch one of the meets during the Olympics but after listening to Katie tell about her life growing up, the incredible accomplishments she’s made I can’t wait to see what she does in Paris this year. I listened to this book through the eyes (ears) of a parent who has young kids just getting into their sports at an early competitive level. I can’t imaging how proud Katie’s parents must be of both their kids and how refreshing it was to hear a story of success where the star athlete was just a “normal” kid in the local community group. I’m proud that Katie swims for Team USA and I wish her the best as she continues to dominate.