Answer:
Thoughts like "I might be sleeping right now" raced through my mind as I felt pains in my arms and legs, fighting to breathe. To overcome my self-doubt, I envisioned swimming to a stranger who was in need.
For my mile-long swim in May, I didn't stop once to prepare for joining the Coast Guard, I practiced every morning with my father. There were so many moments when I wanted to quit - even on day one.
When I thought of helping a drowning individual, it pushed me The sound of my father's clapping caught me off guard. What a relief that I had.
