Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Coach Kelsi Dahlia is Ready for Motherhood
Photo courtesy of Kelsi Dahlia
As the oldest of six siblings—and 15 years older than her youngest sister—Kelsi Dahlia did her fair share of mothering growing up.
Now, after eight years on the National Team, multiple World Championship medals and an Olympic performance, the 2016 Olympian is ready to start the next phases of her life: coaching and motherhood.
She’s already well on her way with the first phase – having taken over as an associate coach at Notre Dame.
The second phase arrives somewhere near the end of January.
“I’ve always wanted to be a mother, and now that I’m done competing, it’s the perfect time,” said Dahlia, who some might recognize from her maiden name, Worrell. “My husband and I have been married now for 5 years, and we’re both ready. We can’t wait.”
She competed this spring at World Championship Trials but came up short of making the team. However, her time of 57.53 at the TYR Pro Swim Series event in Westmont a month before Trials was fast enough to earn a spot on her eighth National Team.
That notification put a hint of doubt in her plans to stop competing, but when she found out she was pregnant in mid-May, she knew it was the right time.
And being able to coach and mentor younger swimmers gives her the opportunity to stay on the pool deck – something she has always wanted to do.
“I can’t say I always wanted to be a coach, but when this opportunity came up at the end of May, coupled with news about our baby, it was perfect timing for me to stay involved with the sport,” she said. “I’ve always enjoyed mentoring young athletes, so this is a great fit for me.
“I knew it was going to be my last year – I just didn’t know when it would make sense to stop. I wanted another shot, I took it and I’m happy with the way this season ended. When I learned I made the National Team again, I was shocked but overjoyed. Still, I knew it was time for something different.”
While she awaits the arrival of her baby, Dahlia said she is thoroughly enjoying coaching, specifically getting to know the swimmers and working with them to set personal goals.
The experience takes her back to her days as a young swimmer and has given her a completely new perspective.
“I learn so much every day working with them and the experience has made me realize all the incredible coaches I had during my career,” said Dahlia, who starred at the University of Louisville before going pro. “I’m filled with a lot of gratitude with this team. It’s a great group.”
Now that she’s finished with competitive swimming, Dahlia, who at one time considered becoming a minister because of her deep faith in God, has embraced what she calls “God’s plan” for her future.
“I really feel like it’s a blessing to be doing what I am and having the opportunity to give back to swimming the way I was given to all for all of these years,” she said. “It may not be ministry, but I definitely know I am serving the team in the best way that I can.”
And while she admits she will miss traveling around the world for international meets and other swimming events, the 2016 Olympic gold medals and seven-time 2018 Short Course World Championship gold medalist said she won’t miss the training and sacrifices of being a world-class athlete.
“The timing of finding out I am pregnant with the offer to coach at Notre Dame was so perfect; it felt like this was God’s plan for us,” said Dahlia, who moved from Louisville, Kentucky, to South Bend, Indiana, for the position with the Irish. “It’s been a fantastic ride. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it, but we’re both ready to be parents and start our family.
“I’ve made some amazing, lasting relationships in the sport, and I will always take them with me. And I get to maintain the social aspect of the sport that I love through coaching. I’ve experienced the highest highs and some of the lowest lows in swimming – but I’m grateful for every moment of it.”
As the oldest of six siblings—and 15 years older than her youngest sister—Kelsi Dahlia did her fair share of mothering growing up.
Now, after eight years on the National Team, multiple World Championship medals and an Olympic performance, the 2016 Olympian is ready to start the next phases of her life: coaching and motherhood.
She’s already well on her way with the first phase – having taken over as an associate coach at Notre Dame.
The second phase arrives somewhere near the end of January.
“I’ve always wanted to be a mother, and now that I’m done competing, it’s the perfect time,” said Dahlia, who some might recognize from her maiden name, Worrell. “My husband and I have been married now for 5 years, and we’re both ready. We can’t wait.”
She competed this spring at World Championship Trials but came up short of making the team. However, her time of 57.53 at the TYR Pro Swim Series event in Westmont a month before Trials was fast enough to earn a spot on her eighth National Team.
That notification put a hint of doubt in her plans to stop competing, but when she found out she was pregnant in mid-May, she knew it was the right time.
And being able to coach and mentor younger swimmers gives her the opportunity to stay on the pool deck – something she has always wanted to do.
“I can’t say I always wanted to be a coach, but when this opportunity came up at the end of May, coupled with news about our baby, it was perfect timing for me to stay involved with the sport,” she said. “I’ve always enjoyed mentoring young athletes, so this is a great fit for me.
“I knew it was going to be my last year – I just didn’t know when it would make sense to stop. I wanted another shot, I took it and I’m happy with the way this season ended. When I learned I made the National Team again, I was shocked but overjoyed. Still, I knew it was time for something different.”
While she awaits the arrival of her baby, Dahlia said she is thoroughly enjoying coaching, specifically getting to know the swimmers and working with them to set personal goals.
The experience takes her back to her days as a young swimmer and has given her a completely new perspective.
“I learn so much every day working with them and the experience has made me realize all the incredible coaches I had during my career,” said Dahlia, who starred at the University of Louisville before going pro. “I’m filled with a lot of gratitude with this team. It’s a great group.”
Now that she’s finished with competitive swimming, Dahlia, who at one time considered becoming a minister because of her deep faith in God, has embraced what she calls “God’s plan” for her future.
“I really feel like it’s a blessing to be doing what I am and having the opportunity to give back to swimming the way I was given to all for all of these years,” she said. “It may not be ministry, but I definitely know I am serving the team in the best way that I can.”
And while she admits she will miss traveling around the world for international meets and other swimming events, the 2016 Olympic gold medals and seven-time 2018 Short Course World Championship gold medalist said she won’t miss the training and sacrifices of being a world-class athlete.
“The timing of finding out I am pregnant with the offer to coach at Notre Dame was so perfect; it felt like this was God’s plan for us,” said Dahlia, who moved from Louisville, Kentucky, to South Bend, Indiana, for the position with the Irish. “It’s been a fantastic ride. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it, but we’re both ready to be parents and start our family.
“I’ve made some amazing, lasting relationships in the sport, and I will always take them with me. And I get to maintain the social aspect of the sport that I love through coaching. I’ve experienced the highest highs and some of the lowest lows in swimming – but I’m grateful for every moment of it.”