Chinese Medal Podium Blitz (It's not a dance)

Hi. I'm Gary Hall Jr. and I'm going to kick your ass. Not literally. Should you choose to step up on the starting block next to me you're going to lose. That's all I'm saying.

Training is going well. I'm just starting to get into it and things are looking good. I feel good. I wake up in the morning and say, "I feel like doing something today." Lately, it's changed a little bit to "I feel like doing something incredible today." It's awesome.

I know the introduction to this Aqua Note is worded strongly. I have a reputation as a loudmouth that I have fun living up to occasionally. You should try it sometime. You'll find that if you point to the left field bleachers before stepping up to bat you focus a little more, and swing a little harder. If you hit it out of the park, you look really cool. If you don't, so what! I've never met a champion that was afraid of failure. I am not driven by fear. It's no way to live.

The Race Club is growing. Coach Mike Bottom says that we are assembling a small Army. A while back I wrote that we would open our doors to athletes that want to come and train at the best swim program in the world. We haven't done any promoting beyond that old Aqua Note. Word has circulated some and we have people showing up every week to join us.

This week we have Thomas Kindler from Canada in. Tommy Boy is a hulk of a flyer. At 6'6 and 240 he's weighing in 4 pounds heavier than I am - this week. With this group everything is a competition! Also coming in we have Darren Mew, Olympian 2004 Great Britain, a breaststroker. Spaniard Sprint Sensation Javier Noriega (22.08) arrives this week as well.

These are good people that are willing to sacrifice everything to be part of a group that is not simply headed to the Olympics. We are going to the Olympics to win! We're not elitist. We're the best! There is energy in the air here that lets us know that we are all a part of something big. "It's pretty cool" is a modest way of describing the environment. "It's pretty fast" is more accurate.

Last week we were honored to have one of the best strength coaches in the world, Tim McClellen join our Race Club dojo from Phoenix, Arizona. We worked with Tim for the last two Olympics. Tim develops a program for us and will continue to check in from time to time leading up to our Chinese medal podium blitz.

The Race Club coaching staff: Mike, Matt Macedo, Mark Hill, and Coach Andy "Mack D" Diechert are doing a hell of a job. Every day they are getting the best out of our extremely talented group of badass swimmers. Every day we witness something incredible. You should join us!

Visit for a camp to get in on the action. This is history in the making! Or if you think you can kick some ass yourself, get on the train that's headed for the Chinese medal podium. Be a Race Clubber. info@theraceclub.net

This week's tip: After weights always declare in a loud but clear voice, "My body is a muscle factory and I just went through the industrial revolution!"

If it doesn't bring a smile to your face it will bring one to others. We're swimming fast and having fun!

Your friend in swimming,
Gary Hall Jr.

Long Live The Race Club!