By Timothy Wilson
Joshua Liendo is more than just a fast swimmer with Olympic potential; he also has a strong and resilient attitude. This mindset has been developed through his persistence, careful focus on the small things, and the realization that achieving excellence requires steady, everyday effort, not just natural ability. His progression from a developing swimmer to a top Canadian athlete demonstrates how people can achieve their highest potential, whether in sports, studies, careers, or life overall.
Born in Toronto, Ontario, to parents from Trinidad, Liendo spent his formative years in Trinidad and Tobago, where he first learned to swim and competed with the Silver Sharks Swim Club. His family moved to Scarborough when he was nine, and he continued his swimming journey with the Toronto Olympian Swim Team before joining the North York Aquatic Club. He later credited Michael Phelps as his motivation for specializing in the butterfly stroke.
Liendo finished his third college season by winning the 100-yard freestyle at the 2025 NCAA Division I Championships for the third year in a row. He also won his second gold medal in the 100-yard butterfly event in a row.
At the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, Liendo won a bronze medal. He swam the butterfly part for Canada in the mixed 4×100 m medley relay. He finished 30th in the 50 m freestyle heats, so he didn’t make it to the semi-finals. He also finished 13th in the 50 m butterfly semi-finals.
At the last event of the 2025 Swimming World Cup in Toronto, Liendo set a new world record for the 100 m butterfly in short course. His time was 47.68, and he beat his fellow Canadian Ilya Kharun, who got silver, and Noe Ponti, who held the old record and won bronze.
The Rise of a Relentless Competitor
Joshua Liendo didn’t become an elite swimmer overnight. His ascent was steady, shaped by years of disciplined training, setbacks that turned into fuel, and a commitment to refining the smallest aspects of his performance. From early competitions to world championships and Olympic medals, his story is a testament to growth — both physical and mental.
Liendo represents the power of representation, too: becoming the first Black Canadian swimmer to win an Olympic medal, he has opened doors and created new possibilities for young athletes who see themselves in his achievements. But ask him what matters most, and the answer is simple: the work, not the spotlight.
Lesson 1: Start Where You Are — Not Where You Think You Should Be
One of the most powerful aspects of Liendo’s journey is that it began just like anyone else’s: small steps, early lessons, and gradual improvement. He didn’t wait to be great; he became great by starting.
In a world obsessed with instant success, Liendo reminds us that the first step — even if imperfect, uncertain, or unglamorous — is the most important. Becoming your best self starts when you decide to begin.
Lesson 2: Master the Little Things
Liendo often speaks about “the small details” — the technique changes, the discipline in training, the micro-adjustments that add up over months and years. This is where champions are made.
For those outside the pool, “small details” translate into:
- refining your habits
- improving your routines
- learning one new thing consistently
- staying committed even when motivation drops
Big change is the result of hundreds of small improvements that compound over time.
Lesson 3: Stay Humble, Stay Coachable
Even after global medals and major accolades, Liendo stays grounded. He remains open to feedback, continues to seek refinement, and surrounds himself with people who challenge him to grow.
Being coachable doesn’t mean lacking confidence — it means respecting the value of learning. Humility isn’t a weakness; it’s a growth strategy.
Lesson 4: Let Setbacks Make You Better, Not Bitter
Success in swimming, like in life, isn’t linear. There are races you lose, goals you miss, and days that simply don’t go your way. Liendo’s rise includes all of these — but what sets him apart is how he responds to them.
Setbacks are not signs to stop; they are signals to adapt, adjust, and advance. Becoming your best self requires resilience — the willingness to keep moving forward even when progress feels slow.
Lesson 5: Build for Something Bigger Than Yourself
As a trailblazer for Canadian swimming, Liendo’s success carries weight beyond medals. He inspires young swimmers, uplifts underrepresented athletes, and shows what’s possible when you push past limits.
Your own journey can have this ripple effect, too. When you improve yourself, you create possibilities for others: by leading, inspiring, supporting, or simply showing what’s achievable through dedication.
How You Can Apply Liendo’s Principles Today
You don’t need to be an Olympic athlete to adopt a champion’s mindset. Here are practical ways to live Liendo’s lessons:
- Set goals that stretch you — but take them on step by step.
- Prioritize consistency over intensity. A little every day is better than a lot once in a while.
- Focus on improving one small thing each week.
- Stay open to guidance and constructive criticism.
- Treat setbacks as data, not failure.
- Remember who else your journey might inspire.
Becoming Your Best Self
Joshua Liendo’s story is a modern reminder that greatness isn’t magic — it’s a craft. It’s built through patience, resilience, humility, and details that most people never see.
To become your best self, you don’t need perfect conditions. You need a willingness to grow, a commitment to the work, and the courage to believe in what you can become.
The pool is just where Liendo performs. Becoming your best self is where you perform — every day.
