Olympic Swimmer Dara Torres Interview

Better.TV's Rhiannon Ally talks to Olympic swimmer Dara Torres about her life and fitness.

Olympic Swimmer Dara Torres Interview Rhiannon Ally: She’s one of the most celebrated swimmers of all time holding three world records and 12 Olympic medals. Now at the age of 42, she’s still competes and often beats women half her age. The athletic and beautiful Dara Torres is here now in our studio showing her tips for getting back into the game and for staying in shape for many years to come. Thanks for joining us. Dara Torres: Thanks for having me. It’s great to be here. Rhiannon Ally: Well you look great. Dara Torres: Thank you. Rhiannon Ally: Okay. I have to ask, just for talking about swimsuits, you spent your life in the water basically. What’s your favorite style? Dara Torres: Well, I love speeders who compete in but that’s it. I can't go to the beach with Speedo. It’s funny because when I first started swimming again, the kids they wear their suits up kind of high in the rear but I'm like this granny walking around with my suit down and they caught up behind me and just like they get up, I'm like, “Woah” And so, I've kind of like to use the suits that's a little smaller in behind so I kind of like Brazilian to be honest with you. Rhiannon Ally: Okay. You could never look like a granny. I have to tell you that right now. Dara Torres: Right in his— that I get called a granny so— Rhiannon Ally: Okay. So I have to ask, you’re spilling all the beans in your new book about how you stay in such great shape and everything else. Tell us your secrets. Dara Torres: Well you know, one of the reasons why I wanted to share this with you is because so many people would come up to me and say, “What are you doing? What’s different? How can you do this at your age?” and I just felt like it was great to share what I do. What I have is basically a five-week plan. The reason why I do five weeks is because you're going to actually start to notice the difference when you’re doing this workout in five weeks. I have a five weeks meal plan. I have a five week plan for the gym and a five week plan for cardio and for stretching. Rhiannon Ally: Let me ask you this? During resistance training, a lot of women try to shy away from that. They think they would needed maybe just cardio. How important is that? Dara Torres: It’s very important for especially to make sure you don’t’ get injured before you work out. And the reason why I put that type of stretching in my book is number one I do it is — stretching and it’s resistance stretching. It really gives energy to your core. And when you do resistance stretching, you’re basically resisting against yourself. And the more you resist, the more stretch you’ll get. A lot of people just go on and, “I'm just going to touch my toes.” And “Oh my god, my hamstring—” you know. But when you do, the strength training aspect in the stretching, it really helps. Rhiannon Ally: Now are you training right now for anything? Dara Torres: No just the way I just normally work. I would like to go for 2012. I decided in August. I just had some major reconstructive knee surgery so I'm sort of waiting to see what happens and if what they did worked out. But I am working out right now with the intend in the back of my head like, “I need a stand shape just incase I'm setting with 2012” Rhiannon Ally: It’s probably hard to give it up. Dara Torres: It is hard to give up but the thing is just that I already have so much already. I have accomplished so much in my life. But you know if I’m still good at it, I’m still at the top of my game, why not. Rhiannon Ally: Why not—exactly. For complete five week plan for achieving a great body at any age, you can pick up Dara’s book called Gold Medal Fitness. It is available now. I want to ask you real quick, what’s your proudest moment? Dara Torres: My proudest moment is by far my daughter. I would never say a swimming event was my proudest moment. My daughter is my proudest moment. Rhiannon Ally: Well that’s an amazing accomplishment—your daughter that can’t be bad.