Taylor Winnett

Started: She began swimming competitively at age four. (army.mil, 19 May 2022) Reason: She followed her family into swimming, as her mother is a swim coach and her older sister has also been involved in the sport. She got involved in Para swimming following encouragement from a coach at Loyola University Maryland. "He asked me if I had heard about Paralympic swimming, and suggested I may be eligible." (army.mil, 19 May 2022) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (Instagram profile, 22 Dec 2023) Additional Info: GOAL SHEET Ahead of the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, she made a list of swimming times to serve as motivation. Her list of times included her own personal times, the qualifying time for events, and the times of her competitors. "I decided to make a goal sheet, and I put what my goal time was and why, what I'd have to do in each event, and also the medal I thought I could win or wanted to win. I printed it out and laminated it and brought it to practice every day, and when I got unmotivated I'd look at it and read it." She went on to win seven medals at the Games, including three gold medals. (usparaswimming.org, 03 Apr 2024) CAREER CHOICE She gave up her job teaching children coping skills for mental health issues in order to focus on her swimming career full-time. "I talked to my husband and I was crying, like, 'Should I quit my job to swim? I don't know what to do'. He said, 'Do what you think is best'. I said, 'I guess I'm quitting my job'." (usparaswimming.org, 03 Apr 2024)