"Kaylee McKeown's probably one of the most headstrong people"- Mollie O'Callaghan makes her feelings known for 23-year-old swimmer

Olympic record holder, Kaylee McKeown shone brighter at Paris and took home multiple medals after achieving prominent feats. Recently, swimming star, Mollie O'Callaghan talked about how she confides in McKeown, who happens to be one of the people she can rely upon.

During one of the recent episodes of the “Unfiltered Waters” podcast, hosted by Olympic champions, Katie Hoff and Missy Franklin, O’Callaghan shared her experiences. She further revealed how two-title defender Kaylee McKeown has helped her during her journey, along with her family and coach.

“I also like leaning on my coach Dean; I think he's pretty good at hearing about the things outside of swimming, the things within swimming and how I can interpret that and add it to, you know, training or, you know to figure out ways how I'm going to get the best out of myself and the training in those conditions. And other people, like my family and friends, I think you know, being a very social person, I like leaning on those guys,” said O'Callaghan [24:36 onwards].

She continued:

“And I think another person I've spoken to a lot who I think could relate with how I feel and the things I'm going through is probably Kaylee, just because she has experienced so much, but also achieved so much in her career and has gone through everything and anything. And I think she's probably one of the most headstrong people I've ever known as an athlete and I think I go to her as more as a mentor."

"So I think finding people within the community that you can trust and, you know, building that connection and being quite vulnerable and that's something I've learned is I've got to communicate a lot more but also be quite vulnerable to get the best out of myself,” she added.

Kaylee McKeown secured her world record in more than three categories and clinched gold in two events in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the Paris 2024 Olympics. Her back-to-back Olympic successes have made her a top talent in competitive swimming.

Kaylee McKeown gives away her take on the most valuable trait she acquired

Kaylee McKeown at Swimming - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 4 - Source: Getty

Kaylee McKeown who started swimming at an early age shared a vital lesson she has learned as a competitive swimmer and an athletic personality. As per Wahl Australia & New Zealand, McKeown imparted the treasured advice saying:

“As a swimmer, I think it’s so important to love what you do. I don’t think you can really perform if you’re not happy. So, I always like to say, a happy swimmer is a fast swimmer.”

McKeown has become one of the most decorated swimmers globally and from the Great Southern Land. Known to be asthmatic, she has left her medical condition behind against all odds. The athlete took inspiration from her older sister, Olympic medallist, Taylor McKeown, who retired from the sport in 2022 after the Commonwealth Games.

The swimming icon, McKeown was honored with the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2022. She was also the Paris Olympics flag bearer of the closing ceremony. Her Olympic debut in Tokyo was successful from all four corners as she was able to secure four medals.