Dara Torres-Amazing

Actually yes, she is a good role model. Sorry, I really can't buy this at all. What makes her a role model - that she can train hard and dream? This is her job and it's a really cool sweet job we'd all love to have but that's really about it. I don't get the role model/hero status that people are heaping upon her. Everyone out there at trials has an impressive story, they just don't get the press and drag their kids on the podium. If you set aside the PED discussion I will gladly grant she is inspirational or motivational but is she someone you want to emulate, up to you I guess. I happen to be familiar with the mother of one of our Olympians. What she has done for the local swimmers and her family to support Olympic dreams is much more worthy of praise. When you see hundreds of people come up to her to thank and congratulate her, well that is much more of what a role model should be.

I really don't think it is sour grapes. Dara got a bunch of yuck when she made a comeback at 33. Almost as much as she has lately. Gary Hall is the same age as Dara was when she made her comeback in 2000. We haven't heard as much about him as we did when Dara was 33. Why is this? A few thoughts: 1) 33 isn't as "old" for a male athlete anymore, 2) Dara is 41 and that trumps 33 by quite a bit, 3) Gary Hall Jr. is a more controversial figure in general, 4) Hall isn't working the publicity machine as well. What does Dara having more publicity have to do with your friends' issues with Dara? That sounds even more like sour grapes to me...

Don't we all need to be more humble? No, we're not all listing our accolades and state titles. I'm sure some could even use a bit more cockiness. I won't throw an egg. You can live in the dark ages if you choose. Just don't chastise the rest of us for not embracing the stepford wife model. As gobears says, work or stay at home -- either route can work out just fine. I think Dara is a role model, although, as I've said, not sure that pro athletes are the best role models in general. It's a good think to be healthy, fit and active as you go through life. Kids would likely benefit from seeing more of this rather than being taken to McDonalds. Hall is overshadowed by Dara at the moment.

Wow, I would consider myself a peer of Dara's (though my highest swimming achievement was simply qualifying and competing at OT's). I don't feel she should do anything differently than she has. Just because I chose to go the conventional route and marry/have kids/etc, I don't assume others should do the same. Sounds like sour grapes from some of those ex-swimmers you know... I really don't think it is sour grapes. Dara got a bunch of yuck when she made a comeback at 33. Almost as much as she has lately. Gary Hall is the same age as Dara was when she made her comeback in 2000. We haven't heard as much about him as we did when Dara was 33. Why is this?

Interestingly enough, from the folks I have talked to, the ones that are the hardest on Dara are women my age with an extensive swimming background, Dara's peers so to speak. Wow, I would consider myself a peer of Dara's (though my highest swimming achievement was simply qualifying and competing at OT's). I don't feel she should do anything differently than she has. Just because I chose to go the conventional route and marry/have kids/etc, I don't assume others should do the same. Sounds like sour grapes from some of those ex-swimmers you know...

There is some folly, to be sure. There is a substantial difference between staying in shape and competing consistently on the international elite level. I'm not sure what TaeBo has to do with any of this. I'm not even really sure that TaeBo is, some kung-fu huckster video series I suspect, that made someone rich. Actually there are quite a few "videofits" who swear by Taebo and use it to keep them in shape. I have done it, it is very hard. I just don't like Billy Blanks style, but it made me very sore, so it does work you. Also, the people who are filmed in these work-outs do a lot of prep work preparing for the work-outs. There is lots of practicing to learn the routines and look polished on screen, plus they watch their diets close to filming and work really hard to look very buff on screen. Because it is a product, them looking outstanding sells. If you do xxx video, you will look like xxx.

O.k. I know I'll get some eggs thrown at me on this one, but is Dara Torres the role model we want for 41 year old women? . Actually yes, she is a good role model. What is wrong to daring to dream that you can achieve more even at the "old" age of 41. We are not in her life so we don't know what kind of a mother she is. After all, besides the training, she CAN be with her daughter. The rest of us normal 40 somethings are juggling work, family, so the idea of that kind of training would take us away from family. So her life set-up is different than ours, and I don't believe we can judge her for that.

Elise- Balance is exactly right. Balance is something you find for yourself and your family. Don't proclaim that the balance you have found is what others need to comply with or by judged by. Lighten up. Tree O.k. Looks like I rubbed a few the wrong way. Sorry about that. Just expressing an opinion. Nobody is a bad person for working out 5 or 6 hours a day when they have kids. Not even Dara! Certainly did not mean to come across as judgmental! Isn't the purpose of this forum to express opinions and share what we've learned with others?

Just pointing out the folly of that statement. There is some folly, to be sure. There is a substantial difference between staying in shape and competing consistently on the international elite level. I'm not sure what TaeBo has to do with any of this. I'm not even really sure that TaeBo is, some kung-fu huckster video series I suspect, that made someone rich.

Had even hoped to take a shot at going pro. It was, however, not worth the toll on my family. No athletic endeavor is when you have kids. ...for you and your family. Athletic endeavors do not always equal a toll on families. Your situation may be very different than other people. For some it is possible to pursue certain athletic endeavors (or other activities) and still raise their children with the same love and attention.