Get to know Discovery Vitality Ambassador Tatjana Schoenmaker

After missing a place on the 2016 Rio Olympics team by a mere one-hundredth of a second, Tatjana Schoenmaker doubled down on her training, dug deep and focused on making sure she was part of the team headed to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Tatjana not only achieved her goal, but won gold in the 200 m breaststroke and set a new world and African record. She also won silver in the 100 m breaststroke. Tatjana is the first South African female medallist to win gold since Penny Heyns' two gold medals at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. She also became the first South African in 22 years to break a world record.

Tatjana, who hails from Pretoria, is inspired by some of the great sporting heroes to achieve her best, while insisting that she wants to follow her own sporting path.

It was a pleasure for Discovery to catch up with the warm and down-to-earth Tatjana to find out more about her:

Discovery: When was the first time you knew you loved swimming and what do you love about it?
When I started doing really well and making the national team, then I thought, okay, this is what I love doing. I love what it teaches you as a person. It gives you discipline, perseverance. I wouldn't say I love the training, having to do it every day, twice a day, but I love racing.

Discovery: Do you have any idols?
I am inspired by sporting heroes like Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt and our own Penny Heyns. They inspired me to want to go to that level. But I've never dreamt of being anyone else, I can only be myself and I've always wanted to create my own way in swimming.

Discovery: What was the Tokyo Olympic experience like?
It was my first Olympics so it felt amazing, even during COVID-19 times. It was absolutely such an experience. People say you must take in as much as you can, and that's really true because I am sitting here now and thinking that a month ago I was living the biggest dream of my life, but now it's over.

Discovery: What was your goal going into the Olympics?
Just doing my best and focusing on my own race. No one can ask anything more of you. I wanted to get as close to my times in trials as possible, because they were fast. If I could go faster, that would be even more amazing. In the heats of both my races, I was already the happiest I could be and I could have left with a smile on my face.

Discovery: Now that you have won, what are your next goals?
Definitely the 2024 Olympics, although I am getting a little older. I would like to take in the experience a bit more as it goes by so quickly. There's also the Commonwealth Games next year and World Champs.

Discovery: What was your training routine leading up to the Tokyo Olympics?
The same as it is every year - about 10 to 11 sessions a week. Every day, double sessions, except Saturday when I had one session and Sunday I had off. Sessions range from an hour-and-a-half to two hours, with two of them gym sessions.

Discovery: What keeps you motivated to try to do your best?
Trying to beat or better what I did before, or trying to get as close to that as possible. You don't want to have been the one-hit wonder.

Discovery: When it comes to money do you consider yourself a spender or a saver?
Both a spender and a saver. The spender in me would be excited to go to the mall and buy nice stuff, but then the saver side kicks in and asks, 'is it really necessary?' and I end up buying nothing.

Discovery: Are there any causes close to your heart?
Yes, Precious Blessings Home, in Die Wilgers, Pretoria, which looks after abandoned babies. I love spending time there and would love to get more involved.

Discovery: Last year you and Makazole took an active stand against gender-based violence. Do you have plans for any other causes?
I support whatever causes I feel strongly about and I'm in the process of opening an NGO.

Discovery: Thank you for this opportunity to get to know more about you. A final last question before we finish, if you could go back and give advice to your 15-year-old self, what would you say?
I am happy with the person I am, so even if I had to go through tough times, in sports and non-sports, it was worth it because otherwise I wouldn't be who I am today. I would say, 'you, just do you!'

Discovery is proud to welcome Tatjana Schoenmaker as a Discovery Vitality Ambassador and look forward to seeing all that this #DiscoveryWaveMaker achieves.