Maddy Banic

Maddy Banic has a history of rising to major challenges, whether it was the hard work of becoming a world-class swimmer or emerging from her struggles with depression.

Banic was a 9x SEC conference champion and an NCAA champion while swimming for the University of Tennessee.

Today, she’s a professional swimmer and as driven as ever to get the most from whatever life brings her way.

After all of the success you’ve had in the pool, what continues to drive you?

I’m someone who always feels that I can do better or be better in the sport. When I reach a goal, I can see how far I’ve come, but then I think about how much further I can go. There’s a curiosity on how good I can be.

Explain your mantra, “Thrive, don’t just survive.”

In 2017, I had a hard bout with mental health. I had been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I was a student-athlete and had left school and swimming as I went and got treatment. At that time, I was just trying to survive – survive class, survive the day, just get through it. Later, I could really see I was thriving – attacking life with passion and focus. It means more than just showing up. It means having ambition, having energy and having goals.

What does “healthy life” mean to you?

I think a healthy life means balance. It’s balancing self-discipline with self-reward. Many think about it in terms of eating healthy, exercising and getting enough sleep. To me, it means doing what’s needed for self-improvement. Some days, that means pushing yourself. Sometimes it means taking a day to recover.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I have a dog, Remi, and I like to take her on walks along the river. I like to be outdoors and enjoy kayaking. In the last couple of years, I’ve really gotten into cooking and that’s become a relaxing time of the day for me.

Tell us about your professional swimming career and what’s in store for the future.

I’ve been swimming professionally for three years now. I’ve been a part of the ISL, or International Swimming league, for all three years. It’s set up like an NBA or NFL league where you get drafted to a team, and the teams compete for an overall winner. It’s given me the opportunity to travel the world to places like Budapest, Italy and the Netherlands!

Right now, I’m training for the next ISL season which starts in June! From June to December 2022, I’ll be traveling and competing.

What BiPro product do you recommend?

BiPro ELITE powder is my go-to, and I love the chocolate and vanilla. I also really like the waters. They’re great when you want something refreshing and not so heavy.