Special Edition: Anita Alvarez Interview

TJ asks Anita for the reasons behind the name change of Synchronized Swimming to Artistic Swimming (1:06). Anita breaks down the sport and explains the different events in Artistic Swimming (2:46), if they can hear the music underwater (5:27) and what kind of cues they use while performing (6:35). She also talks about what it was like to train John Legend in Artistic Swimming (9:14). They discuss why Anita chose to pursue Synchronized Swimming (11:42), Anita's relationship with her mom in the sport of Synchronized Swimming (13:51) and what it was like to move across the country on her own, in high school, to join the USA Senior National Team (16:25). Anita talks about what it was like to make her first Olympic Team (18:17), her grandfather's involvement with the "Miracle on Ice" in the 1980 Winter Olympics (19:48) and the moment when it hit her that she was at the Olympic Games (21:08). TJ asks Anita why placing 9th in Rio was such a huge accomplishment (23:52), what separates the top few teams in the world from the others (25:34), how the US can get back on the podium for the first time since 2004 (27:07), and why this may be the first US team that qualifies for the Olympics since 2008 (28:38). Anita explains what it is like being the veteran on the National Team at 23 years old (30:42), what their training consists of (32:09), how her training differs from other teammates with all of her various roles (33:58), what training consists of outside of the water (36:33) and the battle wounds that are suffered at practice (38:28). TJ and Anita talk about how she trains to hold her breath for her performances (39:55) and how long Anita can hold her breath for (41:27). Anita talks about how COVID-19 has altered her training (42:22), her team's Zoom calls with the rest of the world (44:47), how she has stayed leading her team via social distance (45:41), what the message from her team's sport psychologist has been during quarantine (46:56) and potential benefits quarantine has had on her training (48:09). TJ addresses rumors about her potential retirement post Tokyo (49:17) and they discuss why some athletes retire at such a young age in Artistic Swimming (50:35). Anita talks about what some of her superstitions are going into competitions (52:06) and why she yawns before every competition (53:23). TJ asks about Anita's interests outside of Artistic Swimming (54:43), why she decided to be a RISE mentor and what that involves (56:03) and finally, what the biggest misconception is about Artistic Swimming (57:40).