The Rush: Katie Ledecky on making history, mental health, hosting Jeopardy and more
Living legend Katie Ledecky joins The Rush, chatting with Liz Loza about her swimming experience in Tokyo, which accomplishment she’s most proud of, what she plans to do in her time off before returning to the pool and her thoughts on the important conversation being had in the sports world about mental health. Plus, we get to know the GOAT with a game of Freestylin’ with Katie and find out how the Olympian is treating herself thanks to her Wells Fargo Active Cash Visa Card, which offers unlimited 2% cash back on purchases.
Video Transcript
KATIE LEDECKY: The U.S. swim team had a really great performance, but we also just had a lot of fun together, and tried to enjoy each day together.
LIZ LOZA: I'm here with one of the best swimmers of all time, pool queen, Katie Ledecky. How you doing champ?
KATIE LEDECKY: I'm doing well. Thanks for having me.
LIZ LOZA: Absolutely. How's your neck feeling? Is it a little cramp from all the weight of the medals that you're wearing around it?
KATIE LEDECKY: It's OK. No. I'm taking a little break from wearing them. I do have them nearby so I can show you.
LIZ LOZA: Ooh. Also, I love like the, the low key flag. This is one of them.
KATIE LEDECKY: This is one of them.
LIZ LOZA: They're just around.
KATIE LEDECKY: Yeah. Here's another one of them.
[LAUGHTER]
LIZ LOZA: Yes, queen. Do it. All right. So Katie, we had you on "The Rush" back in May. And to be honest, like I wasn't 100% sure that the Olympics were actually going to happen. When did it hit you, Oh, I'm at the Olympics in the midst of a global pandemic?
KATIE LEDECKY: You know what? I actually was surprised at how similar it felt to the past Olympics. I think, given all of the protocols, that it still felt very similar. I think the biggest thing was the masking, and the hand sanitizer everywhere, and those plastic or glass blockades, so you couldn't really speak to the person across from you. We were really happy to just follow the protocols and do all the testing and masking, and all that, that we needed to, to make it happen and pull it off as a successful games.
LIZ LOZA: You have been a historical figure in sports, all sports for quite a while now. In fact, we're showing a graphic of your insane resume right now. Is there one accomplishment that stands out to you or feels the most special?
KATIE LEDECKY: Oh, I don't know. I mean, I think all of it is still really sinking in, not just from Tokyo but from the past nine years. I don't know if my first gold medal has sunk in yet, but I think three-peat in the 800 free in Tokyo was really special. I know, I knew, going into that, that nobody had ever done that before. So that was cool. Just, just a fun, fun final race in Tokyo. And I was really happy to pull that off.
LIZ LOZA: Athlete mental health has been a very prevalent discussion over these games. How have you coped with mental health over this past 16 months?
KATIE LEDECKY: I'm really proud of everyone that has participated in that discussion and has brought it to the forefront. And I actually majored in psychology at Stanford.
LIZ LOZA: Right.
KATIE LEDECKY: I just finished my degree, and so I know how important mental health is and it goes hand in hand with physical health as well. And so I feel like I'm in a great place. I feel like I have so many great people around me, supporting me. And I'm really thankful for that.
LIZ LOZA: Well, you have a little bit of downtime before you jump back in the pool and start chipping away at those goals. So what are you looking forward to, and how are you going to pay for all that full stuff you want to do?
KATIE LEDECKY: Well, I'm, I'm taking a little bit of time away from the pool these next couple of weeks, and I'm going to be spending time with my family and friends. And so I'm going to be using my Wells Fargo Active Cash Visa Card to celebrate, to treat my family to some good meals.
I get 2% unlimited cash back so I don't feel guilty going out for a great meal with my family, or going to show, or just, just enjoying the time being together with them. I'd encourage everyone to check out the Wells Fargo. These are active cash card. It's, it's awesome.
LIZ LOZA: Treat yourself. Absolutely. All right. So a lot of times, the athletes we cover, keep a lot of things close to the vest until they retire. But since you are not retiring, thankfully, are you down to play games that we can get to know you a little bit better?
KATIE LEDECKY: Sure. I think so.
[LAUGHS]
LIZ LOZA: It is now time for free styling with Katie Ledecky. What is your favorite meal of all time, home cooked or restaurant?
KATIE LEDECKY: Oh, I like a good pizza, but I also love a really good steak.
LIZ LOZA: What do you do for fun? And swimming does not count.
KATIE LEDECKY: I just love spending time with my family and friends. During the pandemic, I wanted to stay connected with people as much as I could, so I did a lot of Zoom calls with friends, and we played some games. We did some trivia nights with my cousins, all that.
LIZ LOZA: What was the last book you read?
KATIE LEDECKY: I read "All the President's Man" a couple of months ago. Yeah.
LIZ LOZA: I know that you loved "Saturday Night Live." So what's your favorite sketch or SNL character of all time?
KATIE LEDECKY: The van down by the river. Charlie Sketch, that's a good one.
- I am divorced. And I live in a van down by the river.
LIZ LOZA: As a side [? hoka, ?] would you consider a stint hosting Jeopardy?
KATIE LEDECKY: Oh, for sure. That would be so cool.
[LAUGHS]
LIZ LOZA: All right. Keep it 100 on this one. When was the last time you peed in the pool?
KATIE LEDECKY: I don't.
[LAUGHTER]
LIZ LOZA: But I was at the pool over the weekend, and I definitely know that some of the toddlers in the shallow area did. So had that.
KATIE LEDECKY: No. I try not to.
[LAUGHTER]
LIZ LOZA: Fair enough. All right. Katie Ledecky, the first lady of freestyle. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments. And thank you so much for being with us today.
KATIE LEDECKY: Thank you. Thanks for having me.
