There's Something To Be Said About Going All In

There's Something To Be Said About Going All In – by Carles Coll Marti

Life is full of distractions. Opportunities to veer off course are everywhere, but I’ve come to realize one simple truth: if I don’t give everything I have, I’ll never be the best. That knowledge fuels me every single day.

I’m an extremely competitive person. Whether it’s sports, academics, or anything else, I strive to be the best version of myself.That’s why I made the sacrifices to wake up at 5 a.m. every morning, pushing my body and mind to their limits. 

I know that kind of dedication is necessary to succeed. If I don’t go all in, I’ll always wonder: What if I tried harder? What if I gave more?

I don’t want to live with those questions. I want to give everything I have, so no matter the outcome, I can hold my head high knowing I left it all in the pool.

Making a Decision 

At 14, I faced one of the hardest decisions of my life.

At the time, I was playing soccer and swimming. Both demanded more and more of my time, and it became clear I couldn’t do both anymore. I had to choose.

Ultimately, I chose swimming. It wasn’t an easy decision, but there was something about the sport’s individual nature that drew me in. In the pool, it’s just you, the water and the clock.

There’s no one else to rely on, no one else to blame. It’s pure accountability, and I loved that.

Maybe I was just better at swimming than soccer, but whatever the reason, I went all in. I committed myself to countless hours of training, pushing my limits every single day.

Looking back now, I’m so glad I made that choice. It set me on a path that would change my life.

 

The Best of Both Worlds 

Swimming wasn’t the only thing I cared about. For me, being great wasn’t just about athletic performance—I wanted to excel in academics, too.

Where I grew up in Spain, that kind of dual pursuit wasn’t encouraged. You were either a student or an athlete, but rarely both. The system didn’t allow for balance. 

But in the United States, I found something different. Here, they understand that being a student-athlete is possible. They embrace the idea that you can thrive in the classroom and the pool.

That’s why I set my sights on competing in the NCAA. It’s the best league in the world for swimmers under 25, and I knew if I wanted to be the best, I had to compete against the best.

Following in my dad’s footsteps, I reached out to Virginia Tech. My dad had been a swimmer too, and he knew the head coach there. I didn’t even consider other schools. I trusted Virginia Tech’s reputation for academic and athletic excellence. 

Coming to the U.S. and joining Virginia Tech was one of the best decisions of my life.

The College Experience 

Virginia Tech didn’t just make me a better swimmer; it transformed me as a person.

I fell in love with the team dynamic of college sports. Back home in Europe, swimming teams are small, and everyone focuses on their own goals.

But at Virginia Tech, we’re united. We’re all striving to achieve something bigger—lifting the team to greater heights. That’s what makes college sports special. It’s not just about individual accolades; it’s about representing something greater than yourself.

Adjusting to life in Blacksburg wasn’t easy at first. I grew up in bustling Barcelona, a city alive with energy and distractions. Blacksburg, on the other hand, is a small, quiet town surrounded by nature. 

A Visualization Come to Life 

Winning the World Championship wasn’t just a dream; it was a visualization I’d been cultivating for years.

I had pictured that moment so many times in my head—the adrenaline, the sound of the crowd, the touch of the wall. When it finally happened, it was surreal, yet everything unfolded exactly as I had imagined.

I knew I was capable. I had put in the hours, the sweat, the sacrifices. When the moment came, I trusted my preparation. I stayed calm under pressure and let my training take over.

Standing on that podium, representing Spain and Virginia Tech, was a feeling I’ll never forget. It wasn’t just a personal victory; it was a testament to everyone who had supported me along the way.

But I’m not done yet.

The Road Ahead 

The World Championship was a milestone, not a finish line.

I still have goals I want to achieve—times to beat, challenges to conquer and dreams to chase. 

Every day, I remind myself why I’m doing this. I remind myself of the 5 a.m. mornings, the sacrifices and the vision I’m working toward.

I don’t know exactly what the future holds, but I know one thing for sure: I’ll keep giving it my all. I’ll leave everything I have in the pool, every single time. 

Because there’s something to be said about going all in.