Today we introduce you to Olympic gold medalists @ashleighjohnson. Ashleigh is the goalie for @usawp women’s national team. She recently graduated from @princeton and finds her days traveling the world playing waterpolo. Follow along this week as we talk about life, waterpolo and @netflix.
Why water polo?
I started playing water polo because it was a convenient and fun after school sport for my siblings and I, but I continue to play because I love it. I love how exciting and challenging it is to play, and I love how big of a role it’s played in my life.
What is paradise?
Paradise is being able to make home wherever I am.
Any pregame rituals?
I love to dance before a game, but I also like to dance generally.
What song do you play to pump you up?
I'm not consistent with listening to a particular song, but I’m super into Khalid right now for pregame listening.
What did you like / dislike about where you grew up?
I both liked and disliked how far away from everything I lived. It gave me the opportunity to spend a lot of time with my family, but it didn’t make it easy to have friends over or go over to theirs.
What’s your good luck charm?
I don’t have one!
What’s the oldest thing you own?
The oldest thing I own is a stereo/radio that was given to me by my oldest brother when he got tired of it.
What’s the most disgusting sounding word in the English language?
Never thought about this before, but the word "slut" hits my ear wrong, also "gherkin."
What was the biggest realization you had about yourself?
The biggest realization I’ve had about myself recently is that I’m messy. I’ve always had this idea of myself as understatedly organized, but that was a lie.
What awful movie do you love?
"The Taking of Deborah Logan"! I’m all in with bad Netflix horrors.
What’s the cutest thing you can imagine? Something so cute it’s almost painful.
I cry every time I see a video of a family member or dog reacting to a soldier coming home—it’s so cute. Those get me good.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received has been: however much I invest into something is what I can expect to get out of it. That has held true for many important things in my life including relationships, school, and water polo.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to go to the Olympics?
I would advise someone who wants to go for the Olympics not to make making it to the Olympics the end-all-be-all of their aspirations. If you’re going to pursue a goal like this, you have to make it about more than just making it there. Not only will this allow you to experience the other positive and negatives of the process in a different way, and give everything that you’re putting into your sport more meaning.
What near-future predictions do you have?
This is going to sound eerily on point, but Netflix will keep releasing originals, and I’ll keep watching them.
What do you need help with most often?
I struggle the most with staying connected, but the people who I am closest with excel at it.
What do you do to make the world a better place?
I’d really love to make an impact on drowning rates by giving swim lessons, especially in communities of color.
What did you eat so much of that now you hate it?
The only food I really dislike is okra and I didn’t have to eat much of it to get there.
In what situations do you wish you could throw down a smoke bomb and disappear?
Ugh, I’m so awkward meeting in new situations with new people sometimes. Maybe I need a reset button more than a smoke bomb, though.
Do you have any post-game rituals?
Usually a good meal with family and friends.