OUTSIDE THE LANES
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​I wasn’t afraid of the ocean. I wasn’t afraid of the unseen depths beneath the water, or what lurked below.
I was afraid of being trapped in my own mind.​
​Record-breaking swimmer Becca Mann was a young swimming prodigy. A two-time USA National champion, she was the youngest person ever to place in the Top 10 in four events at a single Olympic Trials and represented Team USA at four World Championships. But after years of sacrifice, relentless drive, and coming heartbreakingly close to Olympic glory—three times—Becca’s dreams came crashing down.
In Outside the Lanes, Becca shares her journey from the disappointment of Olympic defeat to making history as the first—and only—person to conquer the grueling, 21-hour, 40-mile Maui Nui Tri-Channel Crossing. She also opens up about the mental battles that shaped her: confronting the sacrifices she endured, OCD, and the relentless pressure to succeed.
More than just a story of a young athlete, Outside the Lanes is a powerful exploration of resilience, reinvention, and redefining what it means to win. This is an inspiring read for anyone who’s
ever dared to chase a dream, faced unexpected setbacks, and found a new path forward—learning that true success comes from swimming outside the lanes.
PRAISE
“Outside the Lanes captures the heart of a young athlete’s relentless pursuit of greatness, revealing the sacrifices, heartbreak, and self-discovery along the way. It’s a testament to the invaluable lessons sport teaches us—how we grow through losses, adapt through challenges, and find our true selves beyond the results. Beautifully honest, it reminds us that success isn’t just about the destination but about the resilience, humanity, and wisdom gained on the journey.
– 10x Olympic Medalist Allison Schmitt
“A deeply vulnerable journey into the heart and mind of an elite athlete. This is the most honest account I’ve read about the price of chasing greatness—sacrificing everything for a dream, only to come achingly close. It’s raw, inspiring, and unforgettable.”
– 2x World Champion and Olympian Ashley Twichell
“Becca Mann’s book beautifully portrays all the strife and beauty that goes into chasing your dreams—achieving some and falling short of others. Her ability to find peace in the journey—even when it looks differently than envisioned—is something everyone can learn from.”
– 2x Olympic Medalist Katie Zaferes
“A powerful and important read that’s inspiring and gripping. Written with heart and with Becca’s signature sense of humor and insight, Outside the Lanes is a daring exploration of what it means to pursue what you love, and risk it all.”
– World Champion, 2x World Championship medalist, and Pan American gold medalist Eva Fabian
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