Favourite event: 200m Freestyle, it is the one I have performed best at.
Finest ever performance/Why: Olympic Trials 2004, 200m Freestyle. All the hard work paid off. Everything clicked for me in that race. I did it for everyone who came to see me swim that day.
First senior international meet: 1998 World Championship aged 15. I swam in the 4x100m Freestyle Relay.
Role models: Cathy Freeman, Jesse Owens and my mum. All had difficult journeys and came back. Lance Armstrong is another person who has been through a lot and still came back and succeeded.
My aspirations are: Keep swimming until I am not happy. Go to Africa and help communities, and try to live life to the full.
Tip for the top: Eyeball your fears and swim free.
Life after swimming: Travel for a few years. I like to go to Africa and help as best I can. Maybe do some coaching or teaching. I also would like a role whereby people need me, like the fire service.
Music: I prefer music that tells a story. Matchbox Twenty, Paulo Nutini and Adele.
If I wasn’t a swimmer I would be a: Being a swimmer is all I have wanted to be. However, I am so competitive I think I could have done any sport.
Football, Cricket or Rugby: Football. I support Aston Villa because I wanted to be different. I actually use to play football quite a bit too. I was quite good.
Describe yourself in three words: Sensitive / Happy / Loving
Would most like to meet: Nelson Mandela or Muhammad Ali, both are simply amazing people.
Most prized possession: My mum, my dog and my friends.
Biggest influence on career: Family and friends, who have supported me no matter what.
