Episode #7: US Olympic medallist, swimmer Caroline Burckle, talks about embracing her difference, self-discovery and mental health

Caroline Burckle, by her own admission, is not your 'normal' swimmer, and for many years battled to try fit the mould of what a swimmer should be. But, when she embraced her difference she began to excel - and what a swimming career it was.

Caroline was a member of the United States 4 x 200m Freestyle relay team that won bronze at the Beijing Olympic Games, was voted Outstanding Female College Swimmer in 2008 after breaking the longest standing women's NCAA record in the 500y Freestyle (that of swimming legend Janet Evans), and was the recipient of the prestigious Honda Sports Award.

In this episode Caroline gives a very honest account of how her curiosity helped her in the (ongoing) process of figuring herself out, re-defining herself after transitioning out of swimming and using her creativity to confront her own mental health struggles. 

Caroline now runs her own business called Rise Athletes with fellow Olympian Rebecca Soni (a mentorship programme for youth athletes) is a swimwear designer and artist.

Social media
Instagram @caroburckle @caros_design @riseathletes
Twitter @cariburckle
Website www.carolineburckle.com