However, Jacobys impact goes beyond the lanes of the swimming pool.
Simone Manuel: Congrats on being named one ofGlamours College Women of the Year!
What does this mean to you?
Portrait: Alex Helm / All other images: Getty Images / Design by Channing Smith
I chose it in large part because of Carol Capitani.
Shes the head coach here and one of the few female head coaches in the country for swimming.
So that was a big attraction.
Why was working with a female head coach important to you?
Im very grateful to have her as my coach.
What did breaking those barriers mean to you?
I think a lot of people have seen thevideo of my hometown celebratingtogether.
Has the meaning of this victory changed today?
When you first win a medal, you don’t quite know how to process that.
So its meant a lot to realize how inspiring that is to people and how much it means.
So just being able to share that has been the biggest thing.
Was it always your dream to become an Olympian?
As a young athlete, I think thats what everybody strives for.
So I just really embodied that and manifested it.
Whats it like winning a gold medal?
I feel like sometimes its hard to put into words.
Thats a hard one.
The biggest thing is that it really isnt an individual sport.
Swimming has afforded you the opportunity to travel quite a bit.
Whats one of your favorite places youve been to?
Its hard to choose just one, but Paris is probably my favorite.
I loved Singapore this summer for training camp.
It was so different from anywhere Id ever been.
And yeah, I love Cornwall in the UK, so those are definitely the top three.
Whats the best piece of advice youve ever gotten about being a student athlete?
There was definitely a point last year where I was getting super overwhelmed.
So you dont have to put 100% of yourself into everything; its not sustainable.
Thats a lesson Ill take with me.
Is there a particular woman that inspires you?
One of my biggest role models growing up was Jessica Hardy.
So its been really special to think about now how I could potentially be that for someone someday.
Its like a ripple effect.
So now were going to jump into some of your passions.
You love fashion, photography, decorating, and cooking.
Whats fulfilling about pursuing and making time to explore these things outside of the pool and the classroom?
Youre really into fashion.
How did that interest begin and how do you see yourself integrating fashion into your daily life?
It started when I was little.
I was into dolls, but mainly just dressing them.
I would go thrifting a lot when I was younger, so it all came together.
And now Im partnered with [performance swimwear brand] Arena, working on a suit line.
Its been fun to see how fashion fits into so much of our everyday lives.
If youre dressed well, you feel good, and I think thats pretty special.
Whats a beauty product you cant live without?
Perfume is the big one.
So I always put a little bit on before bed to go to bed smelling good.
Whats your favorite trend in fashion right now?
Being able to put on a matching sweatsuit and still look cute and trendy, its perfect.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Motivated, creative, and adventurous.
What might you tell seven-year-old Lydia right now ?
To enjoy the process.
So just enjoy life and enjoy the process.
