A poolside chat with Siobhán Haughey | Tatler Front & Female

Summary

In this inspiring interview, Kate Appleton, Editorial Director of 'Toddler's Front and Female', engages with Siobhan Haughey, a celebrated Hong Kong swimmer known for her Olympic achievements. They delve into Haughey's journey, from her introduction to swimming to her record-breaking performances. The conversation highlights the importance of passion, discipline, and mental resilience in sustaining high performance. Haughey shares personal anecdotes, her approach to handling fame, and her future aspirations beyond swimming, showcasing her multifaceted personality.

Takeaways

• 🏊‍♀️ Siobhan Hahi's swimming journey began at a young age as her parents believed in the importance of swimming as a life skill, especially living in a place with many beaches like Hong Kong.
• 🏅 She excelled in swimming and won silver medals in the 100 and 200-meter freestyle events at the Tokyo Olympics, setting a new world record in the 200-meter freestyle by the end of 2021.
• 🧘‍♀️ Siobhan identifies as an introvert, preferring one-on-one meet-ups and enjoying board games like Code Names over video games.
• 🕰 If given the chance to time travel, she would choose to go back to the past to experience life without technology.
• 🤸‍♀️ Apart from swimming, Siobhan was involved in other sports and activities like dance and rugby, and she believes these experiences contributed to her discipline and time management skills.
• 💪 She emphasizes the importance of passion in her swimming career, stating that it drives her to strive for excellence and go beyond just seeking rewards.
• 🌱 Siobhan appreciates the advice from her coach to focus on being 1% better every time, which she applies not only in swimming but in all aspects of her life.
• 🌼 She draws a parallel between her attention to detail in swimming and the meticulous approach of Chanel in their skincare line, using sustainable and organic ingredients.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Siobhan acknowledges the importance of her support network, including her family, coaches, and teammates, who have been instrumental in her success.
• 🎓 She has a degree in child psychology and is interested in working with children's development in the future, showing her passion for psychology and children's well-being.
• 📚 Siobhan enjoys reading books like 'Atomic Habits' by James Clear and listening to psychology-related podcasts, such as 'Hidden Brain' by NPR, indicating her continuous pursuit of knowledge and self-improvement.

Q & A

Who is Siobhan Hahi and what is her recent achievement?

Siobhan Hahi is a Hong Kong swimmer who won silver medals in the 100 and 200-meter women's freestyle events at the Tokyo Olympics. She also set a new world record for the women's 200-meter freestyle at the end of 2021.

What is the significance of Siobhan Hahi's achievements in the context of the last couple of years?

Siobhan Hahi's achievements are significant as they provide a welcome dose of positivity and inspiration during a time that has been challenging for many due to various global events.

What is the theme of the conversation between Kate Appleton and Siobhan Hahi?

The theme of the conversation is sustainability, focusing on how to achieve and maintain a high level of performance over time, and building mental resilience.

How did Siobhan Hahi first get into swimming?

Siobhan Hahi started swimming because her parents believed it was an important life skill, especially living in a place with many beaches like Hong Kong. She and her sister were taught to swim at a young age, and she later joined a swim club.

What other sports did Siobhan Hahi participate in during her childhood?

In addition to swimming, Siobhan Hahi also participated in dance and a bit of rugby during her childhood.

What advice did Siobhan Hahi receive from her coach after the 2019 World Championships?

Siobhan Hahi's coach advised her to focus on being one percent better every time, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement without the need for drastic changes.

How does Siobhan Hahi's passion for swimming drive her motivation and success?

Siobhan Hahi's passion for swimming is a significant factor in her motivation and success. She is willing to go above and beyond to achieve her goals because she loves the sport, not just for the potential rewards.

What is the connection between Siobhan Hahi's approach to swimming and the values of Chanel?

Siobhan Hahi's attention to detail in every aspect of her swimming aligns with Chanel's values of going above and beyond for excellence. Both focus on sustainability and organic, sustainably sourced ingredients in their respective fields.

How does Siobhan Hahi handle the fame and social media attention she has received?

Siobhan Hahi initially tried to reply to all the messages she received after the Olympics but realized it was not sustainable. She now tries to find a balance between sharing glimpses of her life and maintaining her privacy as an introvert.

What is Siobhan Hahi's approach to race day preparation?

Siobhan Hahi prefers not to think about anything on race day to avoid nervousness. She likes to explore the city and sightsee to relax her mind before the competition.

What are Siobhan Hahi's future plans after her swimming career?

Siobhan Hahi plans to work in a field related to psychology and child development, leveraging her degree in child psychology and her experience working with kids of different age groups.