Outside the Lanes
A Pro Swimmer's Story of Resilience, Reinvention, and Redefining Success
Published on 8. April 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
266 pages
978-1-963183-11-5 (ISBN)
Description
Becca Mann was born to swim. With a fierce determination and a passion for the water, she chased her dreams from the chlorine-soaked pools of her hometown to the elite ranks of the USA National Team. But after she poured her heart into the sport for decades, Becca's dreams came crashing down when she narrowly missed the Olympics three times.
In Outside the Lanes, Becca shares the highs and lows of her swimming career with unflinching honesty and a splash of humour. But this isn't just a story about swimming. It's a story about a girl who refused to be defined by the expectations of others and had the courage to chart her own course. As Becca navigates self-doubt, injury, and the nagging question of "is it all worth it?" she discovers that true success isn't measured by the medals around her neck, but by the strength of her spirit and the depth of her resilience.
Determined to push her limits even further, Becca sets her sights on becoming the first person to complete the grueling 40-mile Maui Nui Tri-Channel Crossing. As she trains, Becca must confront her deepest fears and prove she has what it takes to make history.
Becca's story is a splash-of-cold-water wake-up call for anyone who's chased a dream or felt lost in the pursuit of perfection. With heart, humour, and saltwater-scented wisdom, Becca shows us that life's greatest adventures happen when we dare to swim outside the lanes.
In Outside the Lanes, Becca shares the highs and lows of her swimming career with unflinching honesty and a splash of humour. But this isn't just a story about swimming. It's a story about a girl who refused to be defined by the expectations of others and had the courage to chart her own course. As Becca navigates self-doubt, injury, and the nagging question of "is it all worth it?" she discovers that true success isn't measured by the medals around her neck, but by the strength of her spirit and the depth of her resilience.
Determined to push her limits even further, Becca sets her sights on becoming the first person to complete the grueling 40-mile Maui Nui Tri-Channel Crossing. As she trains, Becca must confront her deepest fears and prove she has what it takes to make history.
Becca's story is a splash-of-cold-water wake-up call for anyone who's chased a dream or felt lost in the pursuit of perfection. With heart, humour, and saltwater-scented wisdom, Becca shows us that life's greatest adventures happen when we dare to swim outside the lanes.
Reviews / Votes
"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."-Allison Schmitt, ten-time Olympic medalist, four-time Olympian, and American record holder
"Becca's book beautifully portrays all the strife and beauty that goes into chasing your dreams-achieving some and falling short of others. The rawness of all the emotions and candidness of the multifaceted challenges during the process is so relatable and just real. Her ability to find peace in the journey even when it looks differently than envisioned is something everyone can learn from."
-Katie Zaferes, two-time Olympic Medalist
"Becca dives deep into her incredible career as a professional and elite international athlete, daring to be vulnerable about what it takes to be the best in the world, giving us a rare glimpse at the raw experience of elite athletics. A powerful and important read that is at times inspiring, heartbreaking, gripping, and hilarious. 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."
-Eva Fabian, World Champion, two-time World Championship medalist, and Pan American Games gold medalist
"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."
-Ashley Twichell, two-time World Champion and USA Olympian
"Becca's story is one of triumph and honesty. Her story convinces us that hard things are worth doing just for the sake of love, hard work, and dedication to a craft. Her writing is honest and brings you in as if you're in the water, swimming with her."
-Hillary Allen, author of Out and Back
"A deeply captivating, self-reflective journey of a girl navigating the complexities of high level sports, finding her place in the world, and growing up. Becca perfectly encapsulates the process of swimming that is so painful but so addicting. Her journey and career is one of a kind and a must read for anyone wanting a glimpse into the mindset of those who dare to want and dream."
-Erica Sullivan, Olympic silver medalist and seven-time USA Swimming National Team member
"This is a must-read for young swimmers especially, but is very enjoyable for any swim fan, or anyone battling mental health issues."
-Dan D'Addona, Swimming World Magazine
"Perfect for both teens and adults, Becca Mann's Outside the Lanes expertly captures the passion for life and newfound freedom the author discovered and poured into the pages for us to read, enjoy, and connect with."
-Reader Views
"Honestly? I couldn't put it down."
-Cody Miller, Olympic champion swimmer and 8x American record holder
"A powerful reminder that the end of one dream can be the beginning of something even greater."
-People
"Mann's honesty and the book's narrative structure make it a compelling read."
-A Triathletes Diary
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Random House USA Inc
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 224 mm
Width: 150 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
392 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-963183-11-5 (9781963183115)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Becca Mann is a writer and athlete who graduated with a BFA in Writing for Screen and Television at the University of Southern California. She previously worked as the writers' assistant on Amazon's The Bondsman, script coordinator on Apple TV's The Morning Show, showrunner's assistant on Amazon's The Wilds, and writers' PA on Freeform's Cruel Summer. Becca balances her storytelling passion with her other love: swimming. A member of the USA Swimming National Team from 2012 until 2021, she was the 8th fastest swimmer in the world in the 800-meter freestyle for 3 years in a row, was the youngest person ever to place in the Top 10 in 4 events at a single Olympic Trials, and is a 2x USA National Champion. She has represented Team USA at 4 World Championships and is the only person to have consecutively swum the triangle between the Hawaiian islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai.