7.12 Natalie Coughlin: Believe In Yourself

“You have to believe in yourself when no one else does – that makes you a winner right there.” - Natalie Coughlin

Do you believe in yourself? When is it hardest for you to believe in yourself, and what helps you push through it?

Natalie Coughlin is one of the most accomplished swimmers in U.S. history. She’s a twelve‑time Olympic medalist—winning 3 gold, 4 silver, and 5 bronze medals across the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Games.

She once said, “You have to believe in yourself when no one else does – that makes you a winner right there.”

But how? Where does that belief and confidence in yourself come from?

Self-belief isn’t about arrogance. It’s about trust—trusting your preparation, your effort, your character, and your ability to grow.

It comes from showing up, doing the work, learning through failure, and proving to yourself that you can keep going.

Belief isn’t built in one moment. It’s built over time, through moments. Coughlin also said, “Success is not about being the best. It’s about being better than you were yesterday.”

Have goals, go after them, learn from both success and failure, and keep going, trying to be better today than you were yesterday.

Don’t get too caught up trying to compare yourself to others. Instead, trust the process. Trust yourself. Trust that you are capable of achieving great things.

And know that excellence is not a skill, it’s an attitude. Skill is what you are able to do, mindset is how you do it. Belief in yourself starts with having the mindset to show up and do your best no matter what obstacles you are facing.

Question of the Day: When is it hardest for you to believe in yourself, and what helps you push through it?