15-year-old swimmer Calum McKenzie from Perth has been passionate about the sport since childhood, inspired by watching older swimmers’ train. Now training 9 times a week, Calum balances a demanding schedule of pool and gym sessions with his schoolwork, inspired by Olympic medallist Duncan Scott. With support from Live Active’s Emerging Athlete Programme, he’s already competed at national level and continues to push himself to improve, both physically and mentally.
What inspired you to start swimming?
When I was younger watching the swimmers’ train made me want to be just like them.
Who is your biggest inspiration in the world of sport and why?
Duncan Scott inspires me the most as he is the most decorated Scottish athlete at the Olympics and I want to be like him.
What are some of the most important skills you need to excel at swimming?
One of the most important skills for swimming is consistency as unlike a lot of other sports if you take a long time off training and come back to it and then take some more time off your fitness will drop a lot and it will take a long time to get back to the level that you were at before.
What is your training regimen like, and how do you balance it with other commitments?
I’m in the pool 7 times a week and have 2 gym sessions on top of that. I have to balance my swimming with my schoolwork and I do that by doing any homework I have before I go to training and if I needed to do any more I finish it once I’d get back.
What is your biggest accomplishment as an athlete so far?
My biggest accomplishment was when I went down to Sheffield to compete in the British Summer Meet as part of a relay.
How do you handle setbacks or challenges in your athletic endeavours?
I’ve got problems with my knee so whenever it acts up, I usually take a day or two off of training until I feel like I’d be able to get back to training.
Are there any rituals or routines you follow before competitions to get you in the right mindset?
The night before I have any races I always have a steak for my tea.
How did you find out about and get involved in Live Active’s Emerging Athlete Programme?
I found out and got involved with Live Active’s Emerging Athlete Programme through my swimming club.
In what ways has the support from Live Active helped your development as an athlete?
The support from Live Active has helped me improve my strength which has resulted in me swimming faster when I race.
Can you describe a moment or achievement in your athletic career so far that you attribute to the support and training you’ve received from the Emerging Athlete Programme?
When I first started the programme, I managed to drop around 2 seconds in 100m freestyle which is a lot of time to drop in such a short time.
What advice would you give to other young athletes who are just starting out in swimming?
Some advice I’d give to young athletes who are starting out at swimming is to stick with it as at some points you may not continue as training can get a bit boring, but swimming is very good for you physically.
What is your favourite sports quote?
“If you want to be the best, you have to do things that other people aren’t willing to do.” Michael Phelps
What social media platforms are you on so people can follow your journey?
I’m on Instagram: calummckenzie2
