How Bad Do You Want It, Swimming Editions

If you’re a swimmer, or any athlete, you’ve probably seen some version of this video from youtube. The swimming edition (above) was created last year, and BC Swim created their own version in 2011.

If your swim team has created a version of this video or you’re planning to produce a version, please send to SwimSwam and we’ll post.

Here’s BC Swim’s version:

Here’s the original version, known as the best motivational speech on the web:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTFnmsCnr6g

Eric Thomas’ “viral” speech, the first part, what has been replicated in video after video:

There was a young man, you know, who wanted to make a lot of money and so he went to this guru, right. And he told the guru you know I wanna be on the same level you are and the guru said if you wanna be on the same level I’m on, I’ll met you tomorrow at the beach.

So the young man got there 4 A.M. he already to rock n’ roll. Got on a suit – should of wore shorts. The old man grabs his hand and said: How bad do you wanna be successful? He said: “Real bad”. He said: Walk on out in the water. So he walks out into the water. Watch this. When he walks out to the water he goes waist deep and goes like this guy’s crazy.

Hey, I wanna make money and he got me out here swimming. I didn’t ask to be a lifeguard. I wanna make money he got me in – so he said come on a little further – walked out a little further – then he had it right around this area – the shoulder area – so this old man crazy – he making money but he crazy. So he said come on out a little further – came out a little further, it was right at his mouth – my man, I’m not about to go back in this guy is out of his mind. And the old man said: “I thought you said you wanted to be successful?” He said: “I do.” He said: “Then walk a little further.” He came, dropped his head in, held him down, hold him down, my man (kept scratching) hold him down, he had him held down, just before my man was about to pass out, he raised him up. He said: “I got a question for you.” He told the guy, he said: “When you want to succeed as bad as you wanna breathe than you will be successful.” 

Thanks to SwimSwam contributor and photo artist Tim Binning for pointing this swim version of the video out to me.