Commonwealth medalist Emily Overholt: Continually learning and growing

By: Clarissa Andersen

Going from teenager to adult can be a complicated process. Training to be a high-performance athlete is intense beyond measure. As the youngest member of the national team Emily Overholt, 18, is maturely navigating both worlds at the same time.

“I moved out of home this year so I had to learn how to cook and eat a proper diet on my own,” says Overholt.

“It’s been just over a month and even though I’m still getting the hang of things, I’ve learned a lot.”

Although she is young and just starting out in her career, this versatile swimmer from West Vancouver, B.C., has already experienced many of the ups and downs of being a competitive swimmer.

With the class of a seasoned competitor, Overholt dealt with a tough situation at the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games. Having thought she won gold in the 400-metre individual medley she quickly realized she was disqualified from the event.

“It was of course very disappointing to be disqualified because I wanted to win gold for Canada, but I still knew that I had done the swim. I had another race that night and the next morning so I tried to put it behind me as much as I could,” she says.

Needing to refocus for her next race, and meet with the throngs of reporters waiting for a story, she put herself back together and did what she had to do.

“Facing the media after a big disappointment like that is always difficult, but I wanted Canada to know that I was going to put the disqualification out of my head and get ready for my next race.”

Quietly determined Overholt went into her 400-metre freestyle final with as much sleep as she could get, finishing the race with a gold medal win and a sense of relief.

“I felt it made up for being disqualified. Standing on the top of the podium and getting all the support from the crowd was an incredible moment,” she says.

Although the highs and lows of competition can be rigorous, Overholt still enjoys the thrill of being in the water, and anticipates races with absolute excitement.

“I love to race. I think the hardest part about swimming is waiting for your chance to race,” she says.

“World championships this summer was an eight day competition and my best event, 400-metre individual medley, was on the very last day so it was hard to wait that long when I was so excited.”

Having grown up admiring other female athletes like Clara Hughes, as a young swimmer Overholt has a hard time seeing herself as a leader.

“Not that long ago I was the one dreaming of racing for Canada, but sport is a very male-dominated industry so as a female athlete I hope to be able to inspire young Canadians to do what they love. Whether it’s sports or something else, follow your dreams,” she says.

Although there is always room for improvement and always something to learn in every aspect of life, Overholt feels like her tough experiences as a swimmer have taught her many lessons she wouldn’t have otherwise had.

“My whole experience at Pan Am Games taught me a lot about dealing with adversity, and even though at the time it was a big disappointment, I know I’m a better swimmer because of it,” she says.

“I’m still learning how to race at the international level and I know this experience will help me in the years to come.“

Fuel for thought with Emily Overholt

What does it take to fuel a woman champion? It takes training, support, determination, perseverance, drive, and of course a balanced diet filled with nutritious food including at least three servings of dairy daily. Here is a look inside what it takes to fuel Emily Overholt.

How many hours of training do you put in each week?

We swim nine times a week with dry land workouts before every practice. In total, it’s about 25 hours a week of training.

What is one of your staple foods?

Greek yogurt is my favourite thing to eat after morning practice because you can put it in a smoothie or add cereal to it. I usually put granola and honey in it and it tastes really good. It is pretty filling after a tough practice.

What are some of the goals you have set for yourself?

I took this year off school to focus on training since it is the Olympic year, so right now I’m getting ready for Olympic Trials in April and hopefully the Olympics next summer.

After your swimming career is said and done, what do you want people to remember about you?

As a female athlete, I hope that I will one day be seen as an inspiration for young girls in the sport. When I was younger there were lots of people that I looked up to in the sport, specifically female athletes, so I hope that one day I can be a role model for young swimmers too.

What show are you watching?

Grey’s Anatomy.

What book are you reading at the moment?

I’m currently reading Open Heart, Open Mind by Clara Hughes.

What is your favourite place you have travelled to?

Greece.

Where would your dream vacation take you?

Southeast Asia, Thailand or Indonesia.

To learn more about Emily Overholt’s accomplishments and career you can view her profile at https://www.swimming.ca/en/swimmer/emily-overholt/.

Clarissa Andersen is an everyday woman, mom, writer and fitness enthusiast passionate about helping people live healthier and happier lives. Follow her on Instagram @everydayclair or Like her Facebook page Everyday Clair.