What Rowdy Gaines Taught Me About Longevity, Legacy & Loving the Sport

Cody here 👋 — back from Federal Way, Washington, and still buzzing from the NCAA Men’s Swimming & Diving Championships. Yeah, the races were fast. Yeah, the energy was insane. But the highlight for me?

Getting in the water with Rowdy Gaines.

If you've been around swimming long enough, you know the name. Olympic champ. Hall of Famer. The voice of swimming.

But here’s what really stuck with me:

It’s not just that Rowdy’s still fast (and trust me, he is).

It’s that he’s still fully in love with the sport.

🚀 What Rowdy Gaines Taught Me About Longevity, Legacy & Loving the Sport

I’ve swum next to Olympians, world record holders, and all-time greats — but there’s something uniquely special about hopping in the pool with Rowdy Gaines.

Yeah, he's still fast — ridiculously fast for someone in his 60s.

But what really stands out is that he’s never lost his joy for the sport.

He still cracks jokes between reps. He rocks back and forth with anticipation in the commentating booth like he’s about to dive in himself.

That childlike excitement? It’s real. And it’s rare.

Rowdy has every right to rest on his legacy — Olympic gold, world records, decades as the voice of swimming.

But he doesn’t. Instead, he keeps showing up with this infectious energy that reminds everyone around him what makes this sport so great.

And honestly? That joy is a skill.

It’s easy to get jaded. Easy to let pressure, burnout, or expectations dim the fire. But Rowdy proves you don’t have to let that happen. You can choose to keep loving the process. You can protect your relationship with the sport, even after decades.

It’s something I think a lot of us — swimmers, athletes, and anyone chasing excellence — need to be reminded of:

Passion doesn’t have to fade. It can evolve. It can deepen. And it can carry you further than raw talent ever will.

💡 The Real Takeaway?

Rowdy is proof that greatness isn’t about the moment — it’s about sustaining your love for the craft. He doesn’t cling to past glory. He reinvests in the sport with every race he calls, every swimmer he supports, and every set he still jumps into.

If you're an athlete, or just someone trying to build something meaningful, here's the lesson:
Don’t just chase the result. Protect your passion. Stay curious. Stay joyful. Rock back and forth when it gets exciting.

Because that’s how you stay in the game 💪

🎁BONUS: My Worst Meet Ever

Back in 2012, I came into NCAAs ranked top five nationally in two events… and didn’t make a single final. Yep — not one.

It crushed me.

But in hindsight, that moment was pivotal. It forced me to reflect and ask myself the tough questions:

• What went wrong?

• Was I training mindfully?

• Was I having fun anymore?

Turns out, I wasn’t. I was too focused on results. That meet taught me to let go a little and reconnect with the love of the sport — and that shift eventually led to some of the best swims of my life.

So if you’re a young athlete (or even a seasoned one), just know: bad meets happen. Even to Olympians. What matters is how you bounce back.

🎯 Pro Tip: Enjoy the Process

We get so wrapped up in times and goals that we forget to enjoy the moment. Take a second to appreciate:

• The people around you

• The effort you’re putting in

• The little wins that aren’t always on the scoreboard

The pool will always be there. The joy you bring to it — that’s what makes the difference.

Until my next newsletter, I will see you all - later