Habits and Hustle - Episode 61: Ryan Lochte – American Competitive Swimmer and 12-Time Olympic Medalist

Episode Date: April 28, 2020

Ryan Lochte is an American competitive swimmer and 12-time Olympic medalist. He is the second-most decorated swimmer in Olympic history measured by the total number of medals. In today’s episode, he talks about how he prepares mentally and physically for competitive swimming, how his relationship with Michale Phelps developed, and how success only made him hungrier for more.  Youtube Link to this Episode Ryan’s Instagram Ryan’s Website ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Did you learn something from tuning in today? Please pay it forward and write us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. 📧If you have feedback for the show, please email [e-mail]  📙Get yourself a copy of Jennifer Cohen’s newest book from Habit Nest, Badass Body Goals Journal. ℹ️Habits & Hustle Website 📚Habit Nest Website 📱Follow Jennifer – Instagram – Facebook – Twitter – Jennifer’s Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Welcome to The Habits and Hustle Podcast. A podcast that uncovers the rituals, unspoken habits and mindsets of extraordinary people. A podcast powered by habit nest. Now here's your host, Jennifer Cohen. So hi Ryan. Thank you for coming. Hi. Thank you so much for coming on the podcast Habits and Hassel. This is, technically this is our first pod, second actually our second podcast while we've been quarantined and basically staying at home. And so we've had some technical difficulty and the first time. So hopefully this time will be better.

So thank you for being paint-fint. Yes, of course, thanks for having me. Of course, it's great to have you. So Ryan, so let's start with the obvious, which is now that the Olympics, oh, jeez, what happened here. Well, now that the Olympics has been canceled, what happens now? Like, is it, are you happy that you have another year to train or are you kind of like

bummed because now you're thinking, oh, shit, I have another year, I have to be training this hard for. Like, what's your, what's your take on this? Well, I mean, when we first found out out about it I was kind of upset just because I mean I've been training for four years. Well actually for me it was more like two But I was just put a lot of hard work and I was ready. My body was ready. My mind was ready and I was ready to go and crush Which was hopefully hopefully my fifth Olympics. And then they said that it was getting postponed. And I was just like, I was just really bummed just because that means I have another full year of training and getting back ready, getting my mindset

back. And it was just, it's a lot. And especially for me at the age of 35, and I'll be 36 in August. So I'll be 37 going into the next Olympics. Wow. And that's really unheard of in the sport of swimming. Yeah, no, you're now, yeah, you're getting up there for sure. Oh, yeah. So I mean, that's, that another thing I had a sort of thinking about being like, well, can my body handle it? And everything, because the training that I do here at University of Florida is just its intense. I want to get that's what I can't talk about. I want to know, what do you guys like to get to the level, of course, that you like, you're like, aren't you the number two

get to the level, of course, that you're like, aren't you the number two, the best second best swimmer in all time, basically, according to the Olympic medals and all that stuff behind Michael Phelps, is that still? Right. So, I mean, to even get close to that level, right, the training, the mindset, the discipline, it had, like, what goes into it? Can you like just give me like a day in the life of like what a training regiment looks from, like from a physical standpoint, from a mental standpoint,

like what do you, what happens? So basically you're waking up around 7, 7, 30, getting breakfast, going to the pool and you swim for about two to two and a half hours, which you do anywhere is about, well for me, I do anywhere is about four to five miles. Okay, in that practice of swimming. And then afterwards I go to weights, which is anywhere I do a lot of Olympic lifting, which is anywhere, I do a lot of Olympic lifting,

cardio, a lot of abs, stuff like that. I do that for like an hour, hour and a half. Then I go home, if I'm able to take a nap, I take a nap, and then I go back to afternoon practice, in the afternoon from like two to, no, about three to, three to seven. And I do another four to five miles of swimming. So, I mean, is that what point does that happen?

Are you doing that the whole time? Or? Yeah. From Monday to Saturday, I practice in the swimming pool nine times and each time I swim, it's about four to five miles. And I do weights three times a week and abs and cardio three times a week. So if you put that all together, it's about 40 hours, 30 to 40 hours of training a week. But are you doing that like leading up to the training, leading up to the Olympic training,

or is it like, what does, what does it look like on just a kind of maintenance? Because that sounds to me like that would be something, or you're doing that like all year round. I'm doing that pretty much all year round. Wow. If there's like a month before the Olympic trials or the Olympics, I start tapering down. So I'll start doing less yardage and less weights and just kind of cleaning up on certain things. But for the most part, it's just grinding day in day out. Okay, so I mean, I have a bazillion questions for you just from like the the ability to kind of stay Disciplined with that stuff because you what doesn't it get boring ever like here I go again and I got to swim again

I got to go to the way if you're doing it to that level that many hours a day. I mean, that's basically More than half of your day be shooting sleeping sleeping and that, that's basically it. Yeah. I mean, it's all, yeah. What kind of cardio are you doing? Like, I'm just swimming with cardio. It is, but I mean, we do stuff outside the pool. Like, I like taking kid and my son play basketball, like stuff like

that. We go on family bike rides. Just anything like that. Just because if I just thought about swimming, just did swimming day in day out, like I would quit swimming. I need to be doing something else. And luckily I have two beautiful children that just keep me going all the time. Right, it's an active within. So I think that's one of the hardest things, especially being my age. And being a father is you don't have the luxury of like, oh, I'll just, you know, take a nap right now or I can just go get a massage, I can just do this and like have my quiet time and you don't get that.

I know. I have two kids. I get it. Yeah, it's very frustrating at times, but I mean, it's all sublesi. I love it. What I mean, it sounds like your schedule is very hectic. And I'm sure now with the training, well, now that we're like kind of quarantined, how are you training? Are you able to still practice and swim or like, what are you doing? Right now, I am trying to stay sane. Yeah. Like most of us. I am trying to stay sane. Yeah.

Like most of us. Yeah. It's just, it's insane. Swimming, there is no swimming, because they shut down every pool. So right now, it's just a stain fit. I have a bunch of weights in my garage that I can still, and I get weight programs from my weight coach, so I can still do that. And then, like I said, family bike rides a lot, pain rewals.

Yeah. I just, I'm doing a bunch of abs in the house. Like, you name it, I'm just trying to do everything. How do you stay motivated? I mean, not just now with a quarantine, but I guess overall, like, to even do the other Olympics now, like, what is your motivation? What is, let's start with like now,

how you get, how you stay motivated to train when we're locked in our house, day in, day out. I mean, there's not much, it's like, it's like Roundhog's day and it's very, very easy to kind of like fall in the slump and then not have that motivation. Yeah. I guess what is your motivation? How do you get motivated? It's keeping me going is, you know, my goals. I want to make my fifth Olympics. And I want to get another gold medal. I mean, that is my biggest goal. And I want to do that.

And I want to accomplish that. And I know if I fall short, I mean, at the end of the day, I don't want to have what ifs. Well, what if I just kept going and swimming? Would I have done it? Would I got my fifth Olympics? Would I got another gold medal? I never want to say what if I just kept going and swimming? Would I have done it? Would I got my set of Olympics? Would I got another gold medal? I never want to say what if.

So that is definitely one of my goals that I want to do. That's what keeps me going every day. And my family, I want to do this for my family. Yeah, that's a good reason. And now, let me go back from like a long time ago. Why swimming? I mean, I don't know much about your back. Like why swimming?

Like why did you put what you just naturally was faster than every other kid in the pool when you swam? Did you always love swimming? What was like, did you know, what was your reason? I was actually not a good swimmer growing up. I would get beat by girls in practice and stuff. Well, I loved being in the water. Like I couldn't be having the worst day.

But once I step foot in that water, everything just disappears. I'm just like, happy. It's like my home. I'm like, so calm. It's I'm like, and everything in swimming kind of came easy to me because I was just, I had a natural feel for the water. So learning new techniques, learning new strokes or anything like that, it became really easy to me because I mean, I was just, I don't know, I was just one with the water, I guess.

So, even though you weren't really, you weren't amazing in terms, you weren't like your girls were beating you like you said. You just liked it and so you kind of stayed with it. It sounds like and got better. Growing up. Growing up, I did like every sport possible. I was a better basketball player than I was a swimmer growing up but I mean it just no other sport did what Swimming did to me. I mean I didn't get good until my freshman year of college. Oh wow. Yeah. So you were all ready. I just loved swimming and I loved the competition

on because you can race every single moment in practice. Like you can race like every set, every practice and then when you get to swim, it's like, Monoie Mon is like, who wants it more? And I love that excitement. And I think that's what even drove me further in the sport of swimming. So then what happened? So then like, talk to me as if I know nothing about you, because let's pretend I know nothing about you.

Except, except, you know, what most people know, right? But let's just say, like, so here you are, even your freshman year college, you're becoming a better swimmer, then what's the next thing? Like how did it go from that to like being who you are today? Like what was the, what was the,

Oh wow, I can hear your kids. Yeah, I know. I'm just waiting by the way. Any second now, my kids are going to start being in on my door by the way. Just, just that. So that will happen. God, so my freshman year, I was kid and go see mommy.

Katie, go see mommy. Oh, my freshman year I was like 59, 157 pounds. I was a real scrawny kid. I just had a natural feel for the water, natural gift. My strokes were all pretty. And so University of Florida is a very hard university to like for training for swimming wise. It's a very hard school because they do it's a old school. It's like let's let's just grind grind grind. And in my events that I was getting chosen for to go get a scholarship was the freestyle events. And I was like the 9 to 10 fastest in the US for seniors out of high school. So all these colleges were really looking at the 9 or 10 faster guys than me. So there was not

many scholarships and I needed a full ride. So at the last minute, everyone turned down University of Florida and the coach came and said, I have a full ride waiting for you like, do you want? I was like, what? I'm packing my bags right now. I'm out of here. Wow. I signed the scholarship and everything and went to Florida and it was, I just remember one of my coaches at the time. He was like, all these colleges didn't want you. Every time you go to the swimming box, you have to stick it to him just because they didn't want you and you got gotta prove them wrong. Right, right. So when that happened, like I started,

I started training a lot harder. I drew like five inches, I went to six two, a hundred and like 94 pounds of muscle and it was just, I had a growth year. Yeah. And after my freshman year, I was like, wow, like you know what, I think I can make a name for myself in this sport. Like, I think I can do this. So I even went on.

So going in my sophomore year was 2004. And that was my goal was making the 2004 Olympics, but I had like the longest outside shot. had like the longest outside shot. But I mean, it was something that I wanted to do. And I just kept training, staying focused, having fun, and just getting better every day. And finally, in 2004, I had that opportunity. And I made my first Olympic team. And I got a gold medal and a silver medal at my first Olympics. I remember, I remember you when I was like a little girl and you were like so cute.

That's what I remember, by the way. That's what I remember. I remember, yeah, he's a good swimmer. But you were like the cute, like the hot guy on the team. And like you had like such a crazy trajectory, you know, like I remember Michael Phelps as Michael Phelps, right? Because, but like you weren't that like far away, you know what I mean? Like it wasn't that far, you weren't that far away, you know? And like I kind of remember you were like,

there was like a moment, like not a moment, like a big moment where that was like when the whole, there was like a moment, not a moment, like a big moment, where that was like when the whole, you became like a huge, I wouldn't say like a sex symbol, but kind of, on all the covers of the magazines, remember, of course you remember all this, right? Yeah. I mean like, that must have been like,

that's been a wild moment for you, but I was just before I just like went on and on and on. That was a long time ago. What. It was a long time ago. What? That was a long time ago. I know. Well, I mean, you've got to look exactly the same. It was, I started getting as like the rock star.

You were, yeah. Yeah. And that was like kind of my persona of just because I wasn't like a normal Olympian Like a normal Olympian is like you think they train they eat they sleep They do this they're like a robot. They do this every day. Right. They have nothing else Me that was the complete opposite. I was like swimming is just a sport that I like to do like it doesn't define who I am So I I did everything else possible.

I was just crazy. Going out to party all night. And then I was, I know, I know. Can you hear me or no? Yeah. Oh, okay. No, go ahead, I want to hear this. You're going to all the parties and.

Go to all these parties, all these red carpet events, but still training, it was just, I was just being really foolish and not. But like, really childish. But also like, I don't, well, before we even like talk about that stuff, whatever like being foolish, whatever, but like, do this, you're kind of like an example in a way

that like, isn't it more talent or is it more hard work or is it a combination in your part? Because if you were kind of like, it was like, yeah, yeah, yeah, I swim, but I also do this, this, I'm also like a normal guy, you know, that doesn't just define myself by swimming. Now, the reality is like, as you said, most people who get to that level at that point, like, that's all they're doing is they're sleeping and they're swimming. And that's it. So like when you just, you said you weren't naturally like the best. So how much of it?

I had a trade. But how much in your opinion is someone's talent versus their like work, like their discipline and their work ethic? I think in every, especially when you get to the Olympic level, you have to have some talent. No doubt on my mind. You have to have some talent. But for me, I have an ability to out-train anyone. It's something that I acquired. It's when like I'm swimming with like all that say I'm swimming with other people or working out with other people. And I know in my mind like the people next to me like they're just as tired.

And they're hurting probably just as bad, but like I down even deeper, because there's always something more inside you. You just have to reach deep down inside and find it. And I was always able to reach deep down and pull it out and train even harder. So when I started getting really tired in practice, I'd reach deep down and go even harder. And I just kept pushing my body to limits that I didn't know I was capable of doing. So once I did this every day, it just became

easy. And that's why I say like, I put so much when I step my foot on that pool deck it's business and I will joke around and practice and have fun but when it comes to swimming like I'm on a machine and I'm just so focused and I can I can race anyone and It's just and anyone can do it. It's just you have to just dig deep down inside you and find that extra something. Keep coming back, you got plenty of space! Oof, not how you would have done that. You like working with people you can rely on, like USAA, who has helped guide the military

community for the past 100 years. USAA, get a quote today. Vitamin water just dropped a new zero sugar flavor, called with love. quote today. neuroshoeger, nourish every you. Vitamin water is a registered trademark of glass O. So was Michael Phelps someone who gave you, like, did he like ignite more, like, did he keep you on flame and keep you more competitive because you, he pushed you more because of that or were you guys rivals, like, what was your relationship

and did you know him before you guys were kind of like on a team together? Did you like know of him? Um well I knew of him just because he went to the 2000 Olympics and he was like a superstar. Yeah. A young age. So I was like holy crap like I get to be on the same team as Michael Phelps like this is awesome. And then once I started swimming the same events as him and I started as the years went on, I started getting closer to him and closer to him. And then finally beating him, our rivalry became amazing.

And we help each other out. And I mean, if he was on here too, he'd say like, we want to be the same athlete as we are today if it wasn't for us because we helped each other out We helped push each other because he wanted to beat me and I wanted to beat him So going into practice every day in the back of our mind we'd be like I'd be like Michael Phelps Michael Phelps Like got to get him got to get him right right little something And so like but you guys and then like so that must have been a trip for you.

I'm seeing him in the Olympics and only knowing him as a superstar, not as someone that you were a peer to. And then becoming not that far later, you actually beat him a few times. You know what I mean? A bunch. And you guys were like neck to neck. Like that must have been crazy for you.

Yeah, when it finally, well, I mean, I guess I always knew I was capable of doing it. That's just my mindset going to every race. I know I can win just because of the work I've put in. But when it finally happened, it wasn't like a shock. Actually, when it happened, I was a little bit disappointed because I thought I could go faster. So, I mean, that's how I have to be. And that's how when you get to a certain point or a certain level in any career, like you have to, you can't stay consistent, you can't stay right there, you have to find ways to make yourself even better.

And I think that's the hardest point when you do get like a gold medal or you break a world record, is how can you get better because everyone else in the world is finding ways to catch you. So that is the hardest thing. better because everyone else in the world is finding ways to catch you. So that is the hardest thing. Um, that once I was able to beat him, I was like, I got to be faster. Like I can't think behind me. I got to keep thinking forward. Like what's next? Absolutely. What did he do? What was he, what have you said? Do you think he was like a little bit like, like, was he happy for you or not so much? I mean, I don't think he was ever happy. Like, I've known he was happy to lose.

I was gonna say, like, not happy for you, but was he like, where'd it go? Like, if you guys are good friends, or is it more like, fuck, like, I can't believe that just this guy just, I mean, it's disappointing that if you lose, cause it's like, I wanna win. But at the same time, it's not

where team USA and team USA just went one two. So yes, he was a little upset that he lost, but at the same time it's team USA one. So I mean, it's good for our country. Yeah, but I'm sure he's more than a little upset. It's still like ego. I mean, it's ego. And it's also like an individual. I know Team USA, blah, blah. But it's also, it's swimming as an individual sport, right?

Like you have your own records and everything like that. I would imagine that was kind of like a mind-fuck a little bit. When everyone's just revering you your entirefuck a little bit, you know, when everyone's just revering you your entire life. Yeah. You know, I do eat like, by the way, you didn't really mention this earlier, but like, what is your diet then? Because I remember like he was saying how he's eating like what, 10,000 calories, what

do you eat daily to swim like that? When you're using that much calorie exertion, what do you eat? Give me, it's like, what do you eat daily to swim like that when you're using that much calorie exertion. Like what do you eat? Give me it's like, what do you eat every day? When I was eating about 8,000 calories a day. You tell? Yeah. I'm 35 and if I can't know, I'll be joining the belly flop competition. That's right.

I can't. You can have the, I could, so it's definitely something like I have to watch what I eat because I mean, I eat like a candy bar like I'll see it. It's sure. It's so much. The world is the world you're doing and all the exercise you're doing. Even even with all the swimming, it's just, it's your metabolism slows down so much as you get older and it's a lot harder, especially if you gain the weight, it's a lot harder to take off. So, I mean, usually, I'm usually probably eating around

3000 calories a day, three to four thousand. So, what do you eat for breakfast? Breakfast, I'll have, they were a bagel with cream cheese and some fruit or a bagel. Yeah, just something little because I don't like eating so much before. And then I have practice and then I get a protein shake, then I get eggs, potatoes, like pancakes, I go nuts. Is there like anything that like what's your favorite, like what's your go to foods for like energy or just because you like it? Like give me like kind of like what you wait to

today. Where'd you eat today? Pizza. Okay. What did you eat for breakfast today? My go to pizza I can have any time of the day. Any time of the day. Any time of the day, me too. But when you're training hard and you're with the Olympics, what would you eat for breakfast? A break-old you said and for lunch you would have... It would be the same as you're doing now. Nothing has changed, except I eat more salads than now than I did before.

Do you have any like health hacks? Like what do you do for like I don't know? Do you have like supplements that you take or like healthy whatever like what you kind of like feels the things that you do to kind of keep you on point? Like there's a a lot of people are like, I wake up at five o'clock and I have to meditate or have to write in a journal. No, no, no, no. I just, I wake up and it's a new day every day. Yeah, so you have no, you have no like, you have ritual that you have to do. And that's why I say like, I'm not like your normal Olympian because everyone is so like

A-B-C-D-E and I'm just like, ah today's a D, today's a like I'm all over the place. It's just I'm living my life I'm not letting like swimming or anything like Like determine on what I have to do. It's just I'm a father. I wake up Play with the kids for a little and then I go to practice. I just do my practice, I come home, I'm a father. It's just every day is different. You sound like just like a regular guy that just like you said, this happens to swim sometimes, you know what I mean? Like, no, baby. So so let's go back to all the other stuff. So when you were kind of on that trajectory,

and I remember seeing you on the cover of all these magazines, and you were like the hot thing. Like in fact, actually, I remember, like even though Michael fells with Michael Phelps, yeah, yeah, but I felt like you were kind of in a way, like surpassing him a little, because I hate to say it, but you were cute, right? So brands wanted to work with you, right?

And you were like, do you remember when you had your hair white or silver? It was like the biggest deal. Do you remember the new one? It was on every news station and media cover. Like, oh my God. Why color is hair? Do you remember? Yes, I do. And what'm going to come. Why color is there? Do you remember? Yes, yes, I do.

And like what I mean to do. And then I wore my grills on the podium of getting my gold medal. Right. It's just absurd things. It's pretty much. But that's me. That was my personality just being different on it.

It works for you, you know. And then of course, you know, like it works for you. And like? And then it works for you. And it kind of like you brought personality to it beyond. And you were like being sponsored by everybody. I remember like you were like the golden, in a way like the rock star, golden boy. And then of course that whole faux pas happened. And then in Rio.

And then I mean, I would imagine it must have been really difficult for you to kind of like find your way again when you were such a You know people like just revered you and you were like getting so many amazing offers Yeah, I mean I think that was one of the most difficult things that I had to do was I mean like it like you said I was like almost on top of the world on and then one And like you said, I was almost on top of the world. And then one instance, I was stupid and I made a mistake. And it was so hard. And I'm still trying to climb out of that depold that I dug myself into every day. But I mean, everything happens for a reason.

And maybe it was someone saying, like, wake up and smell the coffee because I was starting to be like, oh, I'm on top of the world. I can just do this. I can do that. Bob, blah. Um, and I had like no woman in my life really. I was just like free for all. I was just, you know, a playboy having fun.

Right. But I still get, it was such a stupid thing. Like, it's crazy how something like you didn't kill anyone. It wasn't like a huge thing, right? It was such, it was a small incident. But yeah, I guess because you lied. But I mean, you were like, you were were like totally taken over the coals for that. I remember again.

Yeah. And, but why did you even do it? So stupid. It was such a stupid thing in the first place. You know what I mean? Like, what was the point? No, I don't, you got me. I don't know.

It was just me and a couple of guys letting off some steam. Like, after we worked so hard, we got a gold medal, and we were just going out on the night on the town, and we got a little two soft stop and it consequences, yeah. But if you just said that, why didn't it have to be a whole other thing? Why couldn't it just be, yeah, I got drunk,

and we all like party too much. And then it would have blown over, right? Yeah, well, when everything happened, I was still in toxicated at the point at the time. I am. Because it happened the next morning. So, I mean, I was still under the influence, but that doesn't give a reason for me to do everything that I've done. So, I pay the, I pay the price and You know every day I'm making myself better Trying to become a better man And just a better human being I just find it funny because not that's not funny I find it funny that how people do such much more awful things than what you did. Yeah, and they get they they get they get

things than what you did. And they get excused, much easier at field than you did. You know what I mean? Yeah. I mean, it is what it is. I mean, I can't. I mean, I've paid the price. I'm still paying the price. I'm still trying to just move forward.

And I have a family now. So I just got to do my best to I had to protect them. And you know make my fifth Olympic because that's one of the things I wanted to teach my children is you know in life you're going to get knocked out a lot and it's how you get back up is how what's going to define you as a person. And me, I've been knocked down too many times. But I'm still up. And I'm still fighting.

And that's what I want to teach them is we're fighter. And I'm still going. More from our guests, but first a few words from our sponsors. So we all need to break now and then, right? And now probably more than then for me anyway. And that's why I love that I have best fiends puzzle game on my phone. Because this game is not just so fun to pass the time with,

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When you did your own show, was it like the reality show on E was that was was it like the reality show on E? Was that was... Okay, another thing. Why did you do it? I don't understand why you said yes to that. Cause it was something... I mean, who could ever say like, oh, I had my own reality TV show?

Like, it was just something different. On the only thing I did not like is I had no control on what they put. It was like in reality TV is not reality TV. Oh, I know that. Because we would do scenes and I would say something. They're like, all right, well, let's redo this scene and you say it this way. And I'm like, well, I wouldn't say that, but I did it anyways.

And so that's the piece they use. And I was like, wait, that's not me. Like, what the hell? So this whole thing, I mean, but I mean, I had my own TV show. I met so many famous people because of it. Like, it was pretty cool. Because of that, I thought you'd meet

a million famous people just from your swimming career. I mean, that's both. Both, but I mean, I got into a new era. Like, I got into a new genre, like TV. So that was pretty cool. Can you also did another thing? And should you do like big brother or was it hold on? I just celebrity big brother.

Oh, I just did that like two years ago. Two years ago. Yeah. So I did that. That was really cool. I like that experience with that. Yeah. How long are you there?

Like what's the process that that? I don't know. I got kicked out the second week. Oh, you did? I was the second person to leave because I was a big threat because I was athletic. Really? Yeah. It's all like a whole game. It's like a mind game thing like in the app.

So it's basically you're in a house. Cameras all over the place. So it's basically you're in a house, cameras all over the place and you talk to people, eat, that's all you do. And they're watching your every move basically. Every move when you're sleeping, if you scratch your butt, everything. I can see it. I used to see it. There's mirrors all around the house.

So you can walk up to the mirror and be like, are you in there? Are you in there? Everything. Oh my gosh. And so are you sharing a room with them? Like who are you sharing a room with? Who are you sharing?

You share a room with a bunch of other people. No, I know. Like who did you share your room with? Like the person I shared my room with, I was, who did I share my room with? I can't even remember. Tom Green. He was one of my roommates in the beginning.

Tom Green, Tom Green, the guy that from the nearest go. So Tom Green was in there, Kato Kallen. No way. in there. Uh, Kato Kaelin. No way. Um, Ricky Williams, um, Jonathan Bennett, uh, Joey Lawrence. Oh my God. So like, we had a good group. Those of us just the guys like we had a good group. Uh, everyone had like a different personality. Um was a lot of drama that happened like on the girls side. Hold on, this is. What do you mean, hold on, I'm gonna say that again.

Okay, this thing is like. There was a lot of drama on the girls side in the house. Like what? Give me the camera. So there's this girl Lolo Jones, she was another Olympian. Yeah. So I knew her and she didn't. Something happened about her food. She and she flipped out being like, I'm an Olympian and I have to eat this certain way

and you guys are just messing this up for me and just flipping out. And everyone was looking at me, being like, well, you're Olympian too, you're not flipping out. I'm like, yeah, I don't ask me, I don't know. I think they're like, yeah. And then she'd get in fights with other girls on the... The production company almost had to come in the house and break it up because they were yelling at each other. Don't you yell at me,

bitch blah blah blah. I'm like, what? There's going to be a fight that's broken out like it's crazy. Breathe out. Get dressed. Head out. Grab some friends. Camp out. Get hyped up. Bye, Bap. Take your Dean.

Let it all out. That RRI co-op we're here for all the outs. We want you to spend more time outside our doors and in them. Try it out. Check out. Think it out. RRI co-op. All out.

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Croger, fresh for everyone. Well, yeah, the girls are worse than guys, I think, in a lot of ways. They're caddy, and they're itchy. I mean, I think I mean, I would love to be a fly on the wall with that. No, it's, yeah. It wasn't hilarious. Decade okayling, give you any dirt behind the scenes. No, no.

We never really talked about anything outside. Yeah, it was just mostly, what are you guys doing now and like what's up like how's our things and then it's like oh you talk shit about me what I'm gonna hit you. Yeah, how much do they pay you to be in the house? It was like 125,000 just to sign up for it. And then so was everyone making different amounts, right? Yeah, and then And that's guaranteed. Yeah, that's guaranteed. If you keep going you get more money. So the longer you last the more money you would be. Oh, well, so how much could you make if you like make it to the end? the more money you would be physically. Oh well, so how much could you make if you like make it to the end?

I think it was a little over 300,000 or something. If you make it to the end. Yeah, I think so. And you get actually like 50 gram for charity and stuff like that. Oh wow, okay. So you do it again if they asked you again? No. No. How about I don't like the whole mind game that people play in the house. And it's like, oh, I'm going to be really nice to you.

So you tell me like you want to team up with me, but then really, I'm already teamed up and I'm going to backstab it. Like I don't like that at all. Okay. It sounds, it sounds awful to me, to be honest. Yeah, yeah. And like, it doesn't. Well, I was able to say I did it and it was cool.

I got some good friends out of that show, so that I still talk to and hang out with. Cool, who do you still talk to? Jonathan Bennett. Who's that, should I know who that is, John Bennett? He's an actor, He was on Mean Girls. Oh God. That was like a long time ago. Okay. On him and like Joey Lawrence. Oh my from from Blossom. Yes. Yes. Oh my God. What is he doing these days. I'd say, nothing. And I'd do both. He's like, he really wants to become the next Batman. Are you serious?

Yeah. I think you have a better shot at that, you know, than he does. But why? That's just like his all-time favorite. No, I just feel like, yeah. Childhood dream. Yeah. To do that?

Oh, good luck. Yeah, I mean, I still talk to them all the time. So they're good friends. That's nice. And then why did you do dancing with the stars? Was it also like you're trying to like dig yourself out of that hole? No, I chose to do dancing with the stars before I went to the Olympics. Oh, was that before? No, I did dancing with the stars after the Olympics in 2016, but I agreed that I was doing it after before the Olympics started. So before the whole Rio incident, yeah, you already agreed to it? Yeah. Really? How come? Just, just, it was, I like doing things that challenge me and that are different. Yeah, definitely.

Definitely taking a fish out of the water is definitely very challenging. So I was like, let's try it. And so did you like the experience or? It was the hardest training I've ever done. I would have trained one year of swimming before doing two weeks of dancing. It was really hours every day nonstop on like, because it swimmers, like bodies are like hunched over. Like this is like how we make our swimming body. then dancing, it's like the complete opposite. It's like posture and like, yes, open on your toes and tights.

And like, yeah, it was hard. A whole, and it's actually a view of it. Did you train that much every single day? Yeah. Yeah, I had to, I had to learn the dances. I basically had to learn how to walk. So how long did you last on that show? I made it to, hmm, there was 12 weeks and I made it to 8.

Oh, wow. Yeah. And so how did they lure you in? How much does a show like that pay someone like you to go on the show because at that point it's about it's about the same as the big brother and Like at that point you kind of like you said yes Mostly because you wanted to try it because a lot of times people go on that show when they have a redemption to be made You know to kind of like you see you know, but you really honestly just did it because you wanted to have experience. Yeah, it was fun. Yeah, it was something different. It would be fun.

I love it. But I'm like, shit, that wasn't so much fun. It was hard. I'm so, I'm so proud. Dancing is hard. Hard. I agree. I mean, I'm surprised you didn't do the celebrity apprentice. Did they ask you for that, too? No.

Oh. Okay. Would you do that one? That seems like another one of these things. No, no, I think I'm doing those kind of shows for a while. Okay. Well, you're never enough. So what are you kind of doing now?

Are you doing any kind of, I mean, because I did see you one more thing before I get into any of that. I saw you, I was in the hotel and I saw you on that CNBC or MSNBC show with A-Rod, and A-Rod was... Yes, with A-Rod. Is it CNBC or is that what it is? Yes. And he was supposed to help you figure out your life, your finances or your business life and all that. Yeah, I did the A-Rod show,

which I mean, it was good. And everything. Has he changed your life? Have you been mentoring you financially? No. No. No. No. Yeah.

I think it was only just for that show. Yeah. I figured it was much now. But yeah, I did the show. But now, now I'm working with this new company called Pinyata. And it's yeah. So Pinyata is like a visionary company that's on a mission to change like how the world thinks about rent

Because I mean everyone fuck hates pain rent and it's just a hassle It especially me being like I've rented for so long that I know what it is and It's basically Pinyata is like committed making rent smarter and making it like rewarding. So basically if you use Pinyata, you can earn rewards. Like you know how if you go to a hotel or you use your sky miles like you earn rewards. Yeah. So they're doing, it's a platform that they're doing for renters So you use pinata and you can start earning rewards and start getting expenses paid off your rent

I mean, you want that no, so yeah, that sounds great So basically someone like if I was someone who was renting if what every time I pay my rent I would get a reward of some kind every time I pay my rent, I would get a reward of some kind, every time I pay my rent. That's amazing, especially now, with everyone like having to be quarantined and not being able to go to work. Yes. So, they're basically telling people if they pay their rent, they'll help them with some kind of reward or bonus.

Yes. That's amazing. Basically, yes. I mean, it's so, it's amazing what they're doing and what they want to do is they're doing especially with this COVID-19. They're doing a rent relief program that's letting landlords nominate a tenant who especially deserves like a breakthrough their rent pay because you know how people can't go to like work and it's so hard to pay rent. So the tenants, the landlords are picking and nominating a tenant and we're

gonna pay their rent for a whole month. So okay so like if I was if I was a landlord I can say Joe Blow is a really good tenant and he deserves to have his rent paid free. And we pay it for a full month. Oh, wow. How many people are you guys picking to do this with? I don't know. They have to sign up on the website.

If you go to the website, you can sign up on it. That's a great way to the time. What's the website? Tell us because I think that's a really timely thing for now. Yeah, it's it's pinata.ai. No, yes'll do the lip. Okay. That's amazing. Yeah, also, every time that any renter uses Pinyata to pay their rent, we are donating one meal to homeless people. Wow. You guys are going a lot.

How long has this company been around for? It's just starting. Like, in the Pinyata wants to, the program is launching the rent relief, the COVID-19 rent relief thing, is starting next week, is launching next week. Oh, so it hasn't started yet. Okay, so what's the date? It's starting with days that because we're going to be, this will be up next week.

So I don't know what the exact date. Yeah, but it's by the time this comes. Yeah. Well, by the time this gets posted, I think that that program is going to be up. So that's basically it. I just checked out the website. It's pinata, hold on, spelt, p-i-n-a-t-a dot ai. Yeah. Yeah. And, yeah, so the most important thing, like, because I know swimming is I'm not going

to be swimming forever. So I need something. you are You're like The way this is going I might I might I want to do something I want to be with a company that like I I truly want to be with And I really believe in this company because not only like being a renter myself I understand that how hard it is. But then giving back is what really got me. Because I love giving back.

I love helping other people out. And what they're doing is just amazing. So I'm very excited to be with them. And yeah, so basically me being in quarantine, that's what I've been doing, like making phone calls and trying to help them out. Wow. And so what's your role with them?

Are you like a supposed to ambassador? I'm a ambassador. Yeah. And ambassador. Yeah. That was good to me. Yeah. Yeah.

Because after this is going to be my job, like I'm going to try to get landlords and other people using Pinyata. And I think this is going to go worldwide, because it's the only platform of its kind. I was going to say it's kind of like a no-brainer. I've actually never heard of basically, why would someone not do it? Like if you're paying rent anyway, if you're a renter and you're paying rent anyway, why wouldn't you use something like this? If it only gives you a benefit.

Yes, exactly. And it's going to be start where you use your phone. You know, if you go to Starbucks and you had that little code, you can use that. It's going to be start using that. You have like a little periodic code and start using them. There's your reward. You get rewards, like $15 off that bath and beyond or something like that. This is a no brainer and it's going to be. No brainer. It's going to be amazing. No, I love that. So that's basically, is that your

main business project that you're working on right now or you're involved with or do you have anything ever. I have other ones. You ever heard of Spire Institute? No, who are they? It's this big school for sports in Cleveland. It's like the biggest, they have every kind of sport possible at the top of the line. And I'm there like swimming basseter there because they have a swimming pool and it's, they want me to like, kind of like help out. And not only is it just bringing people for like training and stuff like that, it's like they're going to have dorms, they're going to have, they have a school. So kids are going to be going to school there and they can train. Oh

Nice Yeah, so I mean I'm just getting involved with that too Other than that Just being a dad and trying to keep these kids not from going crazy I know my gosh, it's like and how old are your kids? Are you a baby, I thought, right? Yeah, so I have a two, well, yeah, two and a half year old boy and a nine, 10 month girl. Oh my God, is that, are you done now

or do you wanna have more kids? I mean, I guess I have no say. Yeah, basically, that's true. Yeah. But if you did have a baby. Yeah, basically, that's true. Yeah. But my wife keeps saying, oh, I want another one. I want another one. I was like, can I just please make it to the next Olympics? And then you can have as many kids as you want.

Right. Exactly. Because if I have another one, if I have another one before the next Olympics, it's just too much for me. I want to be able to handle it. I mean, the fact that you have two small ones like that, you're in that age, those kids you're in the weeds at that age, I mean, it's hard. So that's what I was saying, the luxury of taking naps and everything, I don't really get.

Whether you're doing a dance to your favorite artist in the office parking lot, or being of taking naps and everything. Yeah. I don't really get. Whether you're doing a dance to your favorite artist in the office parking lot, or being guided into Warrior 1 in the break room before your shift, whether you're running on your Peloton tread at your mom's house while she watches the baby, or counting your breaths on the subway. You're inhaling and long exhale out.

Peloton is for all of us, wherever we are, whenever we need it. Download the free Peloton app today. Peloton app available through free tier or page description starting at 1299 per month. No, you don't. Absolutely not. I mean, especially when now, when you guys are all stuck in the same small space and kids yelling and crying, and I always say to my friends, like they don't understand like single people who are with no kids or

they don't understand like how like what a luxury that is. The time that you're in the luxury, you know what I mean? Yeah. You don't have that luxury when you're a parent because you don't have like you don't have the ability to be like yeah you know I don't want to play with you right now. I don't want to feed you right now, you know, like, you know, like, you find something else that, you know, you can't do that. So it's super difficult and oh, man, so that's hard because you're, so you, so even now you say that you go like, not right this minute, but when you're training, you're already training twice

a day, you're doing the morning, the morning swim, you're, you're strength training, and then you're going back to the pool, like in the afternoon, right? So like you're really not, like it's really more your wife that has to take on the, the brunt of everything, typically, yeah. Well she, um, she takes on about three hours in the morning, three to four hours in the morning, because my son goes to school. So, how is going to school? Or, how lucky you are. How did that happen? How come you're in the morning?

Well, no, not right now. No, no, no, no, no. I'm talking about, like, before this COVID, yes, he was going to school, so she didn't really have to worry about him because I always picked him up after my weights Right, I was able to pick him up So all she had to do was take care of our daughter But so like three or four hours in the morning she's with them and then I'm home and then it's They like they don't even want to be with her They want to be with me because daddy's the fun man.

And I have the most energy and I can run around with them and stuff like that. So I do that. And then when I go to afternoon practice, well, now I don't have afternoon practice. I don't have swimming. So. Right. But basically, when you do have, yes, if if I do I go back to swim practice for three hours So other day, it's like six hours that I'm not with them

Okay, that's not so I mean that's I mean that's just what you that's how you're making your living right like that This is how this is like so have you seen it like it's way better than going to a nine to five job? Oh, absolutely. I mean, have you seen though, like you said like we're joking and laughing like how you're getting older, you're going to be like 110 in the pool, but you said that you're training, you know, you're training is like super like you're like on point right now. Like do you feel like you're not slowing down in that way again? Like you feel like you're just as sharp and fast or are you as sharp as fast as you were back in 2004 or before this whole COVID night. Before this whole thing happened, yeah. Yeah, before this whole And I was actually on point to go the best time. Wow.

I was seeing times in practice then I was seeing back when I was in 2012, like at my peak. So me and my coach, we were very excited. I'm knowing what was going on or what was gonna happen for me in the summer. So, I mean, we were definitely, we were so pumped. And I was just ready mentally,

but now that this all happened, it just makes me, I guess you gotta think of the positive side, that you have one more year of training to do under your belt. That means you have one more year of getting better, one more year of getting better, one more year of getting stronger. And just learning more about yourself and about swimming and making you a better person in and out of the swimming pool. So I think I'm even going to be even faster

than I am what I think I am right now. I mean that that's a great, I mean, talk about resiliency and having a good, and having a strong positive mindset, you know, and I think that, I mean, that's amazing. Is there any, like, is there any kind of, who do you look to, do you have any mentor or anyone that you help that help kind of guide you or help give you like that, like ammunition or you just kind of get it from what,

you've always had it from within to have that. I've always had it within, but it's always like my wife or something, or even my son sometimes he's like, you can do it daddy. I'm like, fuck yes, yes I can. So like little things like that, I have people like churrenin,

but yeah, it's mostly comes from me. Well, I think that's amazing. I'm rooting for you. I hope that you're welcome. You're welcome. I know you're going to win the goal. You're going to win the gold. I can feel it.

Yes. That's what I have. That's what I have. I can feel it. You know what? I remember when I even saw you, I told you, I said when I saw you in that A-Rod, C-NBC show, I felt that you had this come back in you. I was, I was rooting, even before I even like spoke to you

today, I was rooting for you. I've always been rooting for you. Thank you, I appreciate it. It's true because I feel like you kind of like, yeah, you fucked up and everyone fucks up and you know, move on. It's not like you killed buddy and it's not like you did. I mean, I just and I feel like you're a good guy and I'd like to see you win. Yes. Well, thank you so much. And hopefully I do. Yeah, you will. And you'll be coming back on the podcast and with another gold medal.

Yes. Yes. I wouldn't mind that at all. Yes, it's going to happen. Exactly. It's going to happen. So where do people find you, Ryan, if they're more curious about hearing about you

or we're ready to hold people about your new business project, Panada, which is the for renters and for landlords. I get those great rewards by paying rent when you pay rent. What other ways we can find you as a person now? I mean, you can honestly just follow me on all my socials, just at Ryan Mockney. And I pretty much post a lot or my wife does she posts a lot about me on like what I'm doing and stuff.

What's your name? Kayla. Kayla. Okay. Kayla, yeah. I think her handle is Kayla Reed. I think she has her last name, is her handle? I don't know.

All right, well in the meantime, we're gonna tell people to look for you. Ryan, what do you do? Yes. You can find you on Instagram, Twitter, are you under there? Yes. Okay, good.

So you can, yeah, find me. I'll be posting stuff about my life. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Sounds good. Well, thank you. You've been awesome. And I apologize for, I mean, for the technical, there's been a little bit of disruption, not just to you, Ryan, but in general. So people, if you're listening and you have had a little bit of like chaotic disruption

with the technical issues, I'm sorry, but you know, this is what happens when we're doing everything through technology now. Yes. So you've been a great guest. Thank you for coming on Happy Plum. Thank you for having me. And I'll be watching you and I'll be speaking to you soon. All right, you got it. Bye.

Bye. This episode is brought to you by the YAP Media Podcast Network. I'm Paula Tah-Hah, CEO of the award-winning digital media empire YAP Media, and host of YAP Young & Profiting Podcast, a number one entrepreneurship and self-improvement podcast where you can listen, learn, and profit. On Young & Profiting Podcast, I interview the brightest minds in the world, and I turn their wisdom into actionable advice that you can use in your daily life. Each week we dive into a new topic like the art of side hustles, how to level up your influence and persuasion and goal setting. I interview A-List guests on Young & Profiting. I've got the best guests. Like the world's number one negotiation expert,

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