ADVERTISEMENT













ADVERTISEMENT

Olympic Swimmer Dara Torres Talks About Her 'Darkest Point'

Canvas background demo

 

Legendary Olympic swimmer Dara Torres proves that Age is Just a Number with her new memoir about her history-making achievements, and she tells our own Mark Steines that the road to glory was paved with some serious obstacles, including an eating disorder.

"Everything that's happened, even when I was at the darkest point of my life when I had my eating disorder, I still learned from my mistakes … and I look at it as just growing and becoming a better person," she says.

Dara struggled with bulimia in college, and she says, "Right when I started binging and purging I realized that I had a problem because it becomes habitual, and it's sort of like an addict. … It went out of control and it took me many years to get over it. The first thing you have to do is admit [you need help], and that took five years to do."

A motivational and inspirational story about staying fit, aging gracefully and pursuing your dreams, Age is Just a Number chronicles Dara's feats as the first American swimmer to compete in five Olympic Games, as well as the oldest female swimmer in the history of the Olympics at age 41. The L.A. native made headlines when she launched her Olympic comeback as a new mother at 41, eight years after her last Olympics, and walked away with three silver medals. All-in-all, Dara has won twelve Olympic medals (four gold, four silver, four bronze).

"Don't put an age limit on your dreams," says Dara. "Athletes are human. We all have our ups and downs. Mine happened to be with swimming, but I had an eating disorder, I dealt with my father passing away, jealousy on the team -- things that people deal with every day."

Watch ET for more with Dara!

Posted April 20, 2009 12:02:00 AM
See All: celebs Dara Torres mark steines olympics

E-Mail | Print | | RSSRSS | 

Recent Headlines

Kate Winslet vs. Mariah Carey: Celebs Sport Same Red Carpet Style
November 8, 2009, 01:29 PM (PDT) 24 minutes ago
Christmas Comes Early at Weekend Box Office
November 8, 2009, 01:23 PM (PDT) 30 minutes ago
Rob Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart Talk 'New Moon'
November 8, 2009, 09:09 AM (PDT) 4 hours ago
Tops & Flops: A Week in Fashion!
November 8, 2009, 08:30 AM (PDT) 5 hours ago
Dennis Hopper on Cancer Battle: 'Everything's Good Right Now'
November 7, 2009, 08:10 AM (PDT) A day ago
Susan Boyle to Sing on 'Dancing with the Stars'
November 7, 2009, 07:08 AM (PDT) A day ago
Jennifer Lopez Sues Ex-Husband Over Alleged Home Videos and Movie Project
November 7, 2009, 07:02 AM (PDT) A day ago
R Family Vacations Sails On
November 6, 2009, 04:45 PM (PDT) A day ago
New Pics: Selena Gomez at Disneyland
November 6, 2009, 04:40 PM (PDT) A day ago
Sneak a Peek! Brand-New 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' Pics!
November 6, 2009, 04:11 PM (PDT) A day ago

Jennifer Lopez Sues Ex-Husband Over Alleged Home Videos and Movie Project
Nov 07, 2009 07:02 AM (PDT)
 
Sneak a Peek! Brand-New 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' Pics!
Nov 06, 2009 04:11 PM (PDT)
 
Choose the Model Who Will Join Heidi Klum When she Hosts the Victoria's Secret Fashon Show!
Nov 06, 2009 02:10 PM (PDT)
 
ADVERTISEMENT
  • StylistAnya: Tune in to THE INSIDER this week to see the most fab coats, gloves, scarves and more! It's time for WINTER FASHION!
  • BradBesseyET: In the wake of the Ro-Kelli split, we're happy that R Family Vacations will sail on with gay-family vacations - www.rfamilyvacations.com
  • StylistAnya: Have a fashion question? Style emergency? Just go to theinsider.com and click on "Ask Anya" I will answer your questions!
  • BradBesseyET: Golden Girl Hospitalized! Rue McClanahan is recovering from heart bypass surgery performed yesterday in New York. Speedy Recovery Rue!!!
  • BradBesseyET: Just saw some behind-the-scenes of Oprah and Ellen's photo shoot for the special December issue of O Magazine...great stuff!

Catch Hollywood's brightest stars out on the town!

View Star Sightings Gallery

Do you think your fave celeb's style is super sweet or totally beat?

View Hit or Miss Gallery

See whose glamorous style is turning heads around town!

View Glam Squad Gallery

See First Lady Michelle Obama's fabulous fashions within the first 100 days and more!

View the Michelle Obama Fashion Gallery