Inspiration and motivation to complete a task in swimming, indeed life, can come from many different sources. It can come from within, a family member, coach, teammates or some other external source.

Once swimmers are inspired to complete a difficult task, the resulting action often involves a test of one’s limits.

Perhaps one of the most celebrated examples in swimming is Jason Lezak’s overhauling of Frenchman Alain Bernard in the men’s 400-meter freestyle relay at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

His motivation was obvious. He had teammates, a country’s national pride and gold medals at stake. Testing limits was surely in play, as his 46.06 relay split, the fastest in history, attests.