Emily Escobedo had a lot on her proverbial checklist in 2020. She was set to marry her fiancé Andrew in August. She was well on her way to completing her master’s degree and primed for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming…

But then everything in the world came to a halt once the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

For Escobedo, life may have just pressed the pause button. She’s postponed her wedding until August of this year. She also just completed her second-to-last semester of graduate school and is taking this semester off to focus on training for Olympic Trials. Escobedo is also looking to pick up where she left off with her growing success in the 200-meter breaststroke.

Earlier this year at the January TYR Pro Swim Series, where she competed in Richmond, she topped the field in the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke, besting a field of talent that included such stars as Lilly King. Escobedo also set personal bests in all of her short-course meter events with the NY Breakers in the ISL in Budapest earlier this year, including posting the top American time in the 200m breaststroke and third-best in the world so far this year.

At the 2019 U.S. Open, Escobedo set a meet record in the 200m breaststroke (2:22) and claimed a silver at the World University Games in it the same year. She was also part of the gold-medal 400m medley relay team.

In this installment of Building Champions, Escobedo shares her unorthodox journey to the National Team and why racing truly makes her happy.

How did you get your start in swimming?
My swimming career is not what you may consider “the norm.” I have done things a little bit differently. I didn’t go to a big-name school. I was never on the National Junior Team. I don’t come from a prestigious club program. And I don’t swim for a “pro” club team. I made the National Team at the age of 21, after I had graduated from college and I qualified for my first international meet at the age of 23. I currently train with high school students on a club team, most of whom have not made a national-level meet. This is very much unlike most other members of the National Team, but I would like to think that this gives me a bit of an edge. I am newer to this professional life, and still have that sense of excitement and pride to represent the United States. The World University Games in 2019 was the first time I had the chance to wear the USA cap with my name on it. Putting that cap on for the first time was the proudest moment of my life. In that moment I knew that all the hard work finally paid off - not because I won an event, or went a best time, but because I had the chance to be a part of something great. I have always been happiest and done my best when I was racing for something bigger than myself.

Now that you’re racing for something bigger than yourself, what are your goals?
It was always a far-fetched dream of mine to make the Olympics. Now, it is more real than ever. I have continued to improve each and every year and I feel like I truly have a shot. I want to make it, not only because I want to be able to wear that USA cap and represent this country, but I also want to succeed for all the kids who grow up loving the sport as I did. For all the kids who I train with, who look up to me and shower me with love and support. I wasn’t a naturally-talented swimmer at a young age. It took a lot of hard work and determination to reach this level! I want to inspire young swimmers to believe in themselves and trust that with the right attitude and mindset, anyone has a chance to achieve great things! I can relate to these young athletes because I have been there. I have faced adversity. I have done things differently. I have and still do train in environments very similar to them, and I have achieved great things thus far. And I plan on achieving even more. I am swimming for them. 

What do you do when you’re not in the pool?
Despite the role swimming has played in my life, it does not define me or who I am. Swimming has helped mold me into the person I am, but it is not all that I am. Outside the pool, I am so much more! I have goals and aspirations about my life and my future when I am done with my sport. I am currently studying special education for early childhood. It is my goal to be a special education teacher. I want to help mold and shape the lives of children. I want to help change the lives of students with disabilities and help them find their place in this world. I have such a passion for working with children, specifically children with disabilities! 

In addition to working with students, I am also a volunteer with the Jessie Reese Foundation. This is a charity organization which aims to help brighten the lives of kids with cancer. The organization’s aim is to inspire kids battling to never ever give up (NEGU). I became involved with this charity three years ago and am thankful each and every day that I did. My mother is a pediatric oncology nurse, so I have grown up around kids with cancer my whole life. It has been such a great honor to meet and have the chance to get to know these amazing people who fight each and every day like it’s their last. Through these experiences, I have been able to gain a new perspective and outlook on life. I am reminded to be thankful for each and every breath I take. With them in my thoughts, I try to make every minute count. I have learned that everything in life has a meaning and I strive to be grateful for every obstacle and opportunity God hands me. 

One of my favorite quotes was said by Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” That is how I strive to live my life. Sure, I want to be successful in the pool. Yes, I want to make the Olympics. But more importantly, I want to leave a legacy in which people remember me not by my talent, but by the type of person that I am and how I made them feel. I want kids to understand that kindness is the most important character trait and that they have can positively impact the lives of so many others with something as simple as a kind word. Lastly, I want to encourage all kids - from young swimmers to students with disabilities, to kids fighting cancer to never ever give up hope!

Tell us about the challenges of becoming a professional swimmer
One of the biggest challenges I find about being a professional athlete is balance! It is hard balancing “real life” with the life of a professional athlete. I am not just a swimmer. I am also a student. I am currently in graduate school attaining a masters’ degree in early childhood special education. Balancing class, schoolwork, and student teaching with practice times, recovery time and the pressure of the sport is not easy! I feel like I am moving a mile per minute with little to no down time! There is always something that needs to be done. In addition, balancing the demands of swimming with maintaining a social life and taking time to spend with family and friends also is a struggle. Monday through Friday I am typically asleep before 9:30. I get home from practice at 6:30- eat dinner with whomever is home, then retreat to my room for some homework then sleep! Sometimes, because we are on such different schedules, I will go days without seeing my mom, even though we live in the same house!