Natalie Coughlin is currently the face of O’Neill 365 and truly embodies the spirit of the brand. She is a swimmer, surfer, organic gardener, and now 12-time Olympic medalist! We were able to catch up with Natalie upon her return to the U.S. after the 2012 London Olympics to congratulate her and chat about her experience in London, favorite meals, and what’s next for her within the next couple months. Enjoy our interview with Natalie below:
Can you describe the first moment when you discovered that you could be an Olympian?
Becoming an Olympian first became a goal of mine after watching the 1988 Olympics. It wasn’t until seven years later that that became a tangible goal.
What was one of your favorite experiences from your trip to London?
Getting to attend a non-swimming event. I was able to watch the BMX finals which were awesome!
What are 3 items you always pack and travel with?
My Canon 7D, my French Press, and my O’Neill 365 Verve Wrap.
While you were in London, what was one of your favorite post workout snacks?
Greek yogurt with strawberry-rhubarb compote.
If you weren’t at the Swim Venue, what other sporting events did you enjoy watching?
BMX.
As a healthy-eater and a foodie, were you able to find local healthy eateries outside of the Olympic Village?
The amount of delicious, healthy food is abundant. London (and England in general) gets a bad rap for poor cuisine, but nothing could be further from the truth. The food is amazing.
What was one of your favorite meals?
My husband and I had an incredible lunch at Nopi in Soho. Fresh peaches with burrata & toasted coriander, pressed duck with sour cherries, and a sweet potato and fig salad with a balsamic reduction.
Did you have any guilty food pleasures that you discovered while staying in London?
Bangers and mash. Not a new guilty pleasure but one that I love!
What is one thing you will miss about London and why?
I miss how easy it is to get around. The Tube is the most efficient, simple and reliable way to get around.
Did you get a chance to interact with the younger girls on the team while living in the Olympic Village?
The Olympic Swimming team is very much like a family. Although I am quite a bit older than the teenage girls on the team, I got to know them well.
You continue to inspire the O’Neill 365 & O’Neill Girls customers everyday with your positive attitude, healthy eating habits and active lifestyle. What can we expect to see in the next of couple months in regards to your:
A). Organic Farming: I have so much work to do in the garden! My tomato plants have taken over everything. There will be several days of weeding and tidying followed by planting my winter veggies.
B). Swimming: Still trying to decide what to do swimming wise. There are several World Cups this Fall and I’m considering competing in them.
C). Cross Training: I can’t wait to start surfing more. To avoid injury, I gave up surfing several years ago and have missed it terribly. Since my swimming future is uncertain and the next major swimming competition is a long time from now I’m going to start surfing again. Also, I’m going to increase my running mileage. It’s a great way to stay in good cardiovascular shape while taking a break from the pool.
Stay connected with Natalie by following her on any of these social channels:
Facebook.com/OfficialNatalieCoughlin
Twitter.com/NatalieCoughlin
Instagram: @NatalieCoughlin
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