Nick Baker

Hakeem the Sprint Machine Nick Baker

Don't be fooled! A swimmer doesn't need the "whole package" to realize their ultimate swimming goal. Take Hakeem, for example. He only learned to swim at the age of 13 and lacked the skills and physical stamina to compete in any race longer than a 50, but that didn't prevent him from earning a swimming scholarship and becoming a top sprinter in college. Why? Because he made the best of what he had, never got discouraged, or doubted himself. Sadly, many swimmers hesitate or fail to give their all believing they don't have what it takes to succeed. But that's a costly mistake because a strong belief in oneself (no matter the odds) and a take-charge attitude can bridge the gap between the impossible and the possible.