Being able to do something that's never been done before, that's what I've always wanted to do. . . . There was nothing that was going to stand in my way of being the first.

Perseverance, determination, commitment, and courage-those things are real. The desire for redemption drives you.

Every day after I wake up, I think, 'Wait... this can't be real; I'm still going to wake up.'

Swimming is more than a once-every-four-years sport. My goal is to bring attention to swimming - to give it some personality.

Water has always been a large part of my life, so for me now, being a father with another child on the way, I'm just teaching some of the small things I've been able to learn - and passing that onto the younger generation. Small things like turning your faucet off when you brush your teeth, not taking a 30-minute shower when you really don't need to. So I want to teach the younger generation to spread the message and make a difference. I'm almost more excited to do this than I was to swim.

Swimming is normal for me. I'm relaxed. I'm comfortable, and I know my surroundings. It's my home.

My strategy is that I actually have absolutely no strategy.