For most Floridians, swimming pools are synonymous with cannonball contests and the squeaky plastic of neon pool floats, but for Olympic swimmer and Green Cove Springs native Caeleb Dressel, chlorinated waters translated into a world of 5 a.m. wake-up calls, rigorous training regiments and the chance at Olympic gold. Dressel’s first experience with swimming started off like most people, by taking lessons as a safety precaution while living in a state surrounded by water, but the young athlete quickly gained a passion for the sport as his swim-cap-clad-head bobbed between the lane ropes. Today, Dressel, 27, has seven Olympic gold medals, 21 championship gold medals and four world records to his name. His impressive track record is only expected to grow as he gears up for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Before taking his place on the starting blocks in the Paris La Défense Arena, Dressel sat down with Flamingo to talk about what keeps him motivated, his impact in the swimming community and his new role as a father.

How did growing up in Green Cove Springs/North Florida shape your swimming career?

CAELEB DRESSEL: I started with River City, right by my dad’s veterinary practice. We started out with summer league, only a couple months out of the year. What kept me in the sport and got me interested was the friendships I had at such an early age and then continuing to develop those. That’s where I met my wife (Megan). And then staying in Florida, going to college. The biggest thing is the people I’ve met and relationships along the way. It was a tight-knit group. If you swim or grew up in Florida, you know the same names.

Is there anyone from Florida that impacted your early swimming career? 

CD: I remember I had rivals as a kid. Michael Fontenelle, Riley Springman, Alex Peña, Wesley Olmsted. A lot of kids that I grew up with, that I was racing at swim meets throughout the year in Florida, I always say that they impacted my earliest from career for sure.

Do you ever go back to Gainesville and visit or cheer on the team?

CD: Well, I’m [chuckles] still training there. So yeah, I’m in Gainesville, twice a day.

Out of Tokyo, Rio and Paris, was there a city that you enjoyed more?

CD: Never been to Paris. I don’t really pick and choose. I mean, I have great memories from all the countries I’ve been to, all the cities and all the people. They’re all very different and I’m appreciative of all of them. I wouldn’t say I enjoyed one more than the other.

From winning multiple Olympic gold medals to breaking world records, what has been the most memorable moment of your swimming career so far?

CD: I don’t know. I think it’s a tough one. I don’t rate my moments on what made me smile the hardest or what was the best. I think the thing I look forward to most is swim camp. That’s where the whole national team comes together and really becomes the national team. You get to know new faces. You get to see returning faces, faces I’ve seen since 2017. You just get to hang out. You swim around, get ready for the Olympics. I think that’s probably my most favorite part of my swim career and I’ve been on multiple camps. I wouldn’t say it’s just one moment in particular.

That’s just how the sport goes. It’s basically how many mountaintops, how many obstacles can you overcome and push through and learn a lot about yourself?
—Caeleb Dressel

Is it hard to maintain your drive after so many years of competing?

CD: I think it changes. It does get harder at times to avoid complacency. But yeah, knowing why you’re in the sport, and for me, it’s not about medals or money or fame or anything like that. It’s just trying to see how far I can take it and how much I can push myself and the byproduct of that mindset is results. I’m constantly chasing, just trying to get better and faster and know myself more and figure out the mental side of the sport, the psychological side, the physical side. I mean, there’s so many different paths and variables to improve upon in this sport. I think that’s why I’ve maintained my drive…the medals only get you so far, the times only get you so far. But I think showing up every day and just training and compounding that over time, that’s what I really enjoy about it.

Do you have any pre-competition routines that you swear by?

CD: You just don’t really give yourself the time to think about the pressure beforehand. You definitely feel it, I’m not gonna lie about that. You feel it, you definitely feel the nerves. But it’s not something you can spend too much time thinking about because it will get to you. I think just callusing the mind to invite those situations and welcome those situations in. At the end of the day, it’s just racing.

How has becoming a father affected your life? Do you hope your son will be a swimmer?

CD: I don’t care if he swims or not. I would like for him to play baseball, I think. I really like baseball. But if he wants to swim, he’ll know how to swim. If he wants to swim competitively, great. If he doesn’t, great. I’m not gonna force him to do that. 

It’s been a new challenge that I’ve accepted with open arms, becoming a father. It’s been a really, really challenging time with Meghan, but a very rewarding time with Meghan. Getting to know each other of how we fit into that role of being parents. But I know we’ve been doing a really good job, and I welcome the new set of eyes that are on me and the pressure that comes with that.

I don’t rate my moments on what made me smile the hardest or what was the best. I think the thing I look forward to most is swim camp. That’s where the whole national team comes together and really becomes the national team.
—Caeleb Dressel

How do you use your platform to inspire others and give back to the community?

CD: There’s nothing I love more than seeing people reach their goals and their dreams and fulfill their potential. So, if I can use myself as an example to show little kids that it is possible and, you know, surprising yourself or surpassing what you thought your potential could be, I think it’s a very special thing in life. Just looking for little things along the way—and it doesn’t have to be big lofty goals. Maybe it’s starting off or just making your bed for a week straight or picking up a piece of trash on the ground. I think those are very important things to do. So yeah, I know it doesn’t have to be Olympic gold medals. I think whatever your goals are, if I can be an example for that to anybody, then I feel like I’ve completed my work here.

What advice would you give to aspiring swimmers who dream of reaching the Olympics or competing at an elite level?

CD: It’s tough. It’s something you really have to make sure that you want to do. And you have to understand that it comes with valleys and it comes with mountaintops. I think as long as it’s something you’re obsessed with—something you love to do—there’s nothing more rewarding and challenging at the same time. I think both those go hand in hand when you move past those obstacles or challenges. It’s something you can be really proud of with yourself.

What are some challenges you’ve faced and overcome in your swimming career? 

CD: I mean, plenty every day, [chuckles] every single day, every practice, there’s challenges that I’ve faced. Some bigger than others. Some bigger leading up to a swim meet, but I think that’s why I love the sport. Not I think. That is why I love the sport—there’s always something to test myself on, challenge myself on and move forward from it because you have to. That’s just how the sport goes. It’s basically how many mountain tops, how many obstacles can you overcome and push through and learn a lot about yourself?

Nutrition plays a crucial role in an athlete’s performance. How do you prepare for the Olympics in your kitchen? Do you have a favorite meal?

CD: So Meghan, my wife does all the cooking. I usually make my breakfast. But yeah, I mean, I eat as clean as I possibly can. I have a cheat meal every once in a while, little pieces of candy every once a while. I think it’s important for me just to let the turn the discipline switch off for a little bit throughout the week. I mean nutrition is pretty much everything. What I’m putting into my body is what I’m going to get out of it. So, Meghan definitely helps with that. Meghan eats super clean and she’s a really good cook.

Do you have any pre-competition routines that you swear by?

CD: I don’t tuck my (swimsuit) strings in. Never have and never will.

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