Tell us about your pets' breeds, ages, and how they became a part of your family.
Hanzo is a 100% Siberian cat, born on May 24, 2021. Zorro’s mom is also 100% Siberian, but we don’t know what breed his dad was. Zorro was born on June 15, 2023.
Getting Hanzo was more planned — we knew we wanted a cat and made the decision to bring him into our family. Zorro, on the other hand, was a bit of a bonus! Some friends had kittens and suggested that we come and meet them. The moment we met Zorro, it was game over. There was no way we were leaving without him. He was coming home with us and becoming part of the family.
What do your pets mean to you as a teammate and companion?
They mean a lot to me, especially because they couldn’t care less about swimming or results. Whether I’ve had the best race of my life or a terrible day, to them I’m still just the person who feeds them and gives them cuddles.
In that way, they’re actually great teammates. They help me switch off, slow down and leave the competitive side of life behind for a while. They’re always there, always happy to have me home.
How have your pets supported you through your professional journey?
Professional sport can be intense, and there’s always another race, another goal or something to improve. Coming home to Hanzo and Zorro helps me switch off from all of that.
They don’t know if I’ve won a gold medal or had a bad race, and they definitely don’t care. They just want food, attention and a comfortable place to sleep. I think that’s a very healthy reminder that there’s a whole life outside of swimming.
How have your pets supported your mental health as a professional athlete?
As a professional athlete, there can be a lot of pressure and focus on performance. Hanzo and Zorro help me completely switch off from that world.
How do you approach nutrition as a professional athlete and why do you want the same benefits for your pets?
As a professional athlete, I’ve learned that good nutrition isn’t just about performance, it’s also about feeling good, recovering well and staying healthy over time. I try to give my body what it needs to perform, but also to function well every day.
Hanzo and Zorro are a part of our family, so of course I want to give them good-quality nutrition that supports their health, energy and wellbeing.
Why did you choose Nulo for your pets?
I want to give them high-quality food that gives them the nutrients they need to stay healthy, active and happy.
