Brendan Answers Your Questions...

From Blair, Kentucky....
Bren, do you plan on making any instructional videos, books, etc. anytime soon so that your fans can really benefit from you knowledge? Also,is there a trick you used when you first started that helped you really get the breaststroke down, timing wise? A little something you said to yourself as you were doing it to really enforce the correct form and rhythm?

I did filming with Glenn Mills a month or two ago and once he edits it all the DVD will be out. I am really excited about it. It has a lot of drills that I think the swimming community can really benefit from. Also, you are going to be able to see my stroke from almost every angle possible. Glenn has done videos with Amanda, Ed and Dave Denniston....and they all turned out great so I am pumped about mine. One thing I always tell myself is that breastroke is a rhythm stroke not a power stroke. The sooner you can get in a rhythm the better. I practice my race stroke everyday in workout so I remember how it feels.

From Mike, North Carolina....
Now that you no longer have school to keep you regimented, are you finding it more difficult to keep focused? Are the demands from your employers making it harder to find time to train and compete?

I think the hardest thing about not being in school anymore is all the extra time. I spend a lot more time thinking about swimming and I don't think it helps. I will need to find some kind of job or hobby to keep me busy or else I may go nuts. My employers don't demand that much from me but when they do I have the final say on what I do and don't do. I keep it under control.

From Lauren, Long Beach, CA...
Hi Brenbear.

I know you say hearing people cheer for you really makes you feel supported and pumps you up. But does it ever add more pressure on you when you know that there are people there just to see you?

There are a lot of things that give you pressure when you're at the big meet stage, it's just a matter of if you let it get to you or not. I gradually came on the scene in my career so I had plenty of time to adjust to everything. I love it when people scream for me, it gives me goose bumps. It's just my personality.

From Lisa....
What is one misconception you think people have about you?

One....haha there are hundreds...people love to talk about us so there are plenty of misconceptions. What do you think sells all those celeb mags? I just hope that the good stuff over shadows the bad.... nobody's perfect you know. But so far I haven't gotten anything really bad. I think the worst is when people say I am intimidating to talk to. I wish they would think I am more approachable.

From Jenny in Austin....
Hey Bren..nice finally meeting you at ASCC.

It seems like swimming is more popular than it has ever been..but with that growing success comes a lack of privacy with people wanting to know more about you and your career. Do you feel like much has changed for you since Athens or how do you deal with such situations?

Swimming is still pretty low on the pole even though it seems to be getting better. I very rarely get noticed unless I am at meets which I don't mind. I think the biggest changes are my responsibilities with the house and everything. Sometimes I think I am the oldest 24 year old alive.

From Sick Dudette...
I'd like Brendan to compare elite swimmers to comic super-heroes. Who's Wolverine? Who's Wonder Woman? Who's Gambit? etc.

Great question. I would say Aaron is He-man. Crocker is Doug. Larsen Jenson and Ryan are Calvin and Hobbes. Kaitlin is Wonder Woman. Phelps is Batman. Oh, and me, I will never compare myself to a super-hero. Sorry.

From Anna S...
Hi Brendan. What is the best dryland routine that you have done or a good one you can suggest for the all the breaststroke distances?

I think stretching is very important. It prevents injury and improves your swimming so much. I really like circuit training where there are stations that you only have a certain amount of time to do the exercise. One station could be med balls, another push-ups, another wall sits. You can get creative with it and can really improve all breastrokers.

From Laura in Havertown...
Since a degree in Kinesiology can be used in various ways, would you consider possibly working in physical therapy or personal training? Where do you see yourself in 5 - 10 years both personally and professionally?

Well, I loved my major but I am not sure that's the route I want to go. I hope to do something though that I love and keeps me competitive. I know the only thing I really want to do is to be a great husband and dad. I figure if I can be half the man my dad is I will be happy.

From Ariel, Yorktown, VA...
You have great abs. Do you do weights or crunches?

We have a very extensive ab workout, mostly crunches. Core strength has been something we have stressed, but to be honest a lot of what I have is genetic.

From UT Gina, Austin...
B Hansen...I first wanna say congrats on a flippin' AWESOME Short Course. I was real pumped that I finally got to see you swim. (it's unfortunate we didn't get to meet.;) haha). Anyways, we all know that you swam the 100 Breast in 52.01, time trialed it at 52.06 and then came out and went NUTS in the 400 Medley swimming your leg at 51.37. So, my question is, what made the difference in the medley?

Thats because I have never been a really selfish swimmer. I care more about the guys I swam with on that relay than myself. I really wanted it to be something that no one can take away from us and I don't see that happening anytime soon.

From Amy, Durham, NC....
How is it to include the dolphin kick as you race? Are you getting used to it? And, did it mess with you mentally to have to redo the way you swam a race? Has it made you faster?

I think it has made me faster off the start but other than that there isn't a big advantage I think. I work on it a lot and been trying to get better. I still haven't prefected but I have two more years til the big show.

From Tim, Milan, MI....
What bands are you listening to these days?

I literally listen to everything. I have country mixes, rock, dance , punk. I saw the Little Willies the other day and thought they were great. I still love listening to the oldies and Johnny Cash stuff like that. When people go through my ipod they are like geezz you have everyone. I am always interested in hearing new bands so if you got anything for me. Shoot.

From Crackinup, Venice Beach, CA...
Usually one thinks of role models as influencing kids, but a lot of us bloggers are in fact older than you. Some of us actually pose as legitimate business professionals by day, even if Michelle's photoshopped picture of Kitajima with a dolphin head is sitting on the office windowsill. So how's it feel to be an inspiration to adults, not to mention the catalyst for a lot of friendships among various BHO bloggers?

First off...thanks. I just live my life the best I can and hope to share with people what I have learned. I also believe everything happens for a reason so all those friendships are a product of Michelle not me. I was just the poster child wink..literally and figuratively. But I think it says something about a person that can reach out to such a wide variety of people. It has been a goal of mine since the beginning.

From Ella and Emma, Texas...
What are your pet peeves?

Gezz where do I begin. How about I give you three...
1. When people slow down to see an accident and cause all kinds of traffic
2. When people say things they really don't mean
3. Cheaters hmmmmm

From Lena, Buenos Aires, Argentina...
You think that if not swimming, you could have devoted yourself as much to another thing in your life? And what would that be?

I think I would have devoted myself to something, yeah. Could've been another sport or school I really have never thought about it. But when I am done swimming I will move on and devote myself to something else.

From Erin, Houston, TX...
What's the best advice that Sean gave you about life/swimming, and what's the best advice that you gave Megan about life/swimming?

Sean indirectly taught me to be happy with who I am and not to be something I am not. He never told me this I just learned it from him over the years. He gets a hard time from people for being a swim coach of a high school team and a gym teacher but he stands his ground and does it cause he cares a lot about those kids. I am proud of him for that. And I try to do the same in my life.

Megan is an amazing person because she had to follow my circus act. I have always told her to do what she wanted to and make her own fireworks...and she has.

From Atrophy, San Diego, CA....
How do you manage to keep yourself motivated when you've already accomplished so much? Have you ever gotten burnt out by the sport?

I keep focused on my goals and in this sport there is always someone trying to beat you and if you keep that in mind its not hard to stay motivated. I always try new things every season to keep from being burned out.

From Meredith, Colorado Springs, CO...
Beijing is only two years away! Have you ever been to China before, and is there anything you are or aren't looking forward to, being in such a different country?

I am excited about the opportunity and I think they will be ready for us. I just hope the facilities and venues will be better than Greece because I want to perform my best on such a big stage.

From Francesca, Greenwich, RI...
What do you think of Haverford as a town? (I'm looking at Haverford College for next year.) Speaking of colleges, what other colleges did you look at besides University of TX?

I can't tell you where a good place to go to school is because every person is different. You have to look and see if you can see yourself being there for four or five years and trust it may not jump out at you but you'll know. I really don't know much about Haverford to give you my thoughts. I looked at Auburn, Tennessee, Georgia, and Ohio State

From Alexandra, Greenwich, RI...
How do you deal with nerves before a race?

I embrace them. You can't let them eat you up. It's something you will learn over time and it takes some people longer than others.