Episode 24: Teddy Blake - Evolving, Not Just Repeating

In this episode, host Anton Beregovoi sits down with Teddy Blake, a swimmer at Penn State University entering his junior year, to talk about growth both in and out of the pool. Teddy opens up about his goals for the season, how he's adjusting to a new coaching staff, and what it takes to stay motivated when everything around you is changing. He also shares his academic approach - from tackling challenging coursework to mastering practice tests as his secret study weapon - revealing the mindset that keeps him sharp in the classroom and in competition.

Key Lessons

1. Adaptation is a daily practice. Teddy highlights that when you move into a new training environment (new coach, new expectations, new team culture) it’s not enough to simply keep doing the same things - it is imperative that you adjust, reflect, and adjust again. The athlete who thrives isn’t the one who waits for the system to fit them, but the one who finds ways to fit into the system and shape it in small ways.

2. Motivation can’t be external alone. With changing circumstances, external motivators (wins, recognition, praise) don't do their job like they used to. Teddy emphasizes that the more sustainable drive comes from internal commitments - “how I want to show up,” “who I want to become,” rather than “what I want to get.” This orientation gives you steadiness when results don’t immediately follow.

3. How you do one thing is how you do everything. Teddy shares a compelling link between his study habits and swim performance. Using practice tests, deliberate review, and strategic rest in his academic routine helps him stay mentally sharp. That same mental clarity helps him in the pool when he has to execute under fatigue and pressure.

Final Thoughts:

Teddy’s story is a timely reminder that progress isn’t always visible, and success isn’t always linear. When your environment changes - new coach, new season, new demands - the immediate instinct might be to cling to what has worked in the past. But as Teddy demonstrates, the athlete (and student) who thrives is the one who evolves what worked, rather than insisting on repeating the same script. If you’re facing change - new job role, new team, new semester - lean into adaptation, deepen your internal drive, and apply your best habits across every arena of your life.pen your internal drive, and apply your best habits across every arena of your life.