Outside the Lanes - by Becca Mann (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Record-breaking swimmer Becca Mann shares how she turned her failed Olympic dreams into making history as the first--and only--person to ever swim the 21-hour Maui Nui Tri-Channel Crossing

I wasn't afraid of the ocean. I wasn't afraid of the unseen depths beneath the water, or what lurked below.

I was afraid of being trapped in my own mind.

Record-breaking swimmer Becca Mann was a young swimming prodigy. A two-time USA National champion, she was the youngest person ever to place in the Top 10 in four events at a single Olympic Trials and represented Team USA at four World Championships. But after years of sacrifice, relentless drive, and coming heartbreakingly close to Olympic glory--three times--Becca's dreams came crashing down.

In Outside the Lanes, Becca shares her journey from the disappointment of Olympic defeat to making history as the first--and only--person to conquer the grueling, 21-hour, 40-mile Maui Nui Tri-Channel Crossing. She also opens up about the mental battles that shaped her: confronting the sacrifices she endured, OCD, and the relentless pressure to succeed.

More than just a story of a young athlete, Outside the Lanes is a powerful exploration of resilience, reinvention, and redefining what it means to win. This is an inspiring read for anyone who has ever dared to chase a dream by adventuring outside the lanes.

Review Quotes

"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

About the Author

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.