I am overwhelmed by the strength of my body and the power of my mind. For one moment, just one second, I feel immortal.

This journey has always been about reaching your own other shore no matter what it is, and that dream continues.

A lot of athletes have this sort of invincibility: [The jellyfish] should worry about me. I don't worry about them. I'll just swim right through them.

You have a dream and you have obstacles in front of you as we all do. None of us ever get through this life without heartache, without turmoil, and if you believe and you have faith and you can get knocked down and get back up again and you believe in perseverance as a great human quality, you find your way.

There is... nothing greater than touching the shore after crossing some great body of water knowing that I've done it with my own two arms and legs.

From age eleven to age sixteen I lived a spartan life without the usual adolescent uncertainty. I wanted to be the best swimmer in the world, and there was nothing else.

This is a lifelong dream of mine and I'm very very glad to be with you.