Just Add Water

My Swimming Life

De: Katie Ledecky

Narrado por: 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!

Swimmers are THE BEST!

I loved that Katie did the speaking of her own book. It made the book more authentic. It’s amazing how ow genuine Katie is.

Embracing and Inspiring Story!

I love this audiobook! One of my favorite athletes, she is an example of perseverance, tenacity, and discipline. I bet once you listen to this audiobook, you will be inspired to get out straight to the pool!

I highly recommend this book for those who want to find out what discipline and hard work can give you through life. Ledeky’s life is a role model of women's empowerment and determination.

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!

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!

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.

One Determined Woman!

Simply LOVE autobiographical listens, especially when read by the author. Katie D. is certainly deserving of All Her medals and trophies! Katie simply figures out What she Wants & Then How To Win!! Extraordinary listen about a Homebody Family Girl who sets the Swim World in Fire!

This was an interesting look behind the scenes of the GOAT woman swimmer, and one candidate for GOAT swimmer of men and women.

I loved all of the training details. Over time we take our heroes for granted and forget they are human like the rest of us. Katie did a great job covering how she became so good.

Katie really gives of herself in this book!

This is the first book I've ever finished in a day and a half! I loved this book. Katie Ledecky does a beautiful job of telling her story, about how her life influences and experiences have contributed to her high ethical standards, both in and out of the pool, and how that has contributed to her success. Having grown up as a swimmer, and being a triathlete now, so much of this book rang true to me - things that are very hard to describe to other people. I think it helps to have a swimming background to appreciate this book, but it is not necessary. The book stands on its own merits. Katie Ledecky is inspirational on so many levels of life and sport. I am very glad she decided to share this insight into her world with the us.