From NCAA championships to the Olympic Games

Welcome back to another exciting week with Worlds Apart Words Together and this week we have a very exciting guest lined up for you who will be introducing himself. We have the privilege to talk to him on our podcast and we cannot wait to share his story with you all! 

Who are you? 

"I’m Nyls Korstanje, I’m a Dutch swimmer and am currently training for the Paris Olympic Games. I finished college last year and moved back to the Netherlands to swim full time."

When did you start swimming? More importantly, what kept you going? 

"I started swimming when I lived in Boston when I was young. I lived there for 3 years together with my family. I went to a YMCA summer camp my first year and we were all grouped into groups based on level of swimming. I got out into the worst swimming group since I only knew how to do breaststroke and not freestyle. In the Netherlands kids only learn breaststroke when they’re young. So I took lessons and learned quick. Then I joined a swim team and never stopped. I enjoy the competitive part of swimming, and constantly getting better kept me going."

What is the main difference between collegiate swimming and training with the national team? 

"Collegiate swimming made everything about being a better team vs being a better individual. I loved working together and getting the best out of each other. That’s something I struggle with on the national team, it’s not centered about helping each other."

What do you hope to achieve this year? 

I hope to swim my best race in an Olympic final.

How have you grown mentally and emotionally throughout your swimming career?

Swimming definitely prepares you for almost everything in life. I believe that emotionally and mentally it’s the best thing you can do to prepare for life.