--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Michael wasn't on the pool deck, which…" description: "\"Michael wasn't on the pool deck, which was hard for me. None of my old Coral Springs teammates were around. Still, that old plane of cement felt like h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d7/dara-torres-27628_benches_michael-wasn-t-on-the-pool-deck-which-wa_287557.jpg" --- # Michael wasn't on the pool deck, which was hard for me… ![“Michael wasn't on the pool deck, which was hard for me. None of my old Coral Springs teammates were around. Still, that old plane of cement felt like home. I folded my clothes and put them on the bench. I placed my water bottle under my starting block, and I dove in. Once again, I felt that…” quote by Dara Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d7/dara-torres-27628_benches_michael-wasn-t-on-the-pool-deck-which-wa_287557.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d7/dara-torres-27628_benches_michael-wasn-t-on-the-pool-deck-which-wa_287557.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d7/dara-torres-27628_benches_michael-wasn-t-on-the-pool-deck-which-wa_287557.jpg) > “Michael wasn't on the pool deck, which was hard for me. None of my old Coral Springs teammates were around. Still, that old plane of cement felt like home. I folded my clothes and put them on the bench. I placed my water bottle under my starting block, and I dove in. Once again, I felt that ultimate state of transition, my feet no longer on the ground, my hands not yet in the water.” [Dara Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dara-torres/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator describes a nostalgic return to a familiar swimming environment, feeling a sense of transition and belonging despite missing teammates. **In simple terms:** Returning to a familiar place brings comfort and a feeling of transformation. Key Takeaway Embrace familiar spaces to reset and transition. Themes nostalgia transition belonging Mood reflective hopeful Type personal inspirational When to use this quote - training sessions - personal reflection - overcoming loneliness - reconnecting with sport Key Concepts identity place attachment flow Questions to Reflect On - What does this space represent for you? - How can you recreate that sense of transition elsewhere? A Different Perspective The feeling may be fleeting and not address deeper emotional needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Benches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benches/) [Clothes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clothes/) [Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dove/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/home/) [Planes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/planes/) [Spring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spring/) [Teammate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teammate/) [Transition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transition/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) ## Related quotes > [“April 11, they moved into an apartment in Coral Springs.Atta stayed in Florida, awaiting”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/april-11-they-moved-into-an-apartment-in-coral-springs-atta-stayed-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Aware she’d likely never tasted such a thing before, she took a cautious sip. Nothing came up. “The straw’s defective.” Dev shot her a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/aware-she-d-likely-never-tasted-such-a-thing-before-she-took-a/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“Morning,” Derrick called as Janelle stepped off the bus. Janelle turned. “Oh ... umm ... hi.” She shook her head. “Were you waiting for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carmen-desousa/morning-derrick-called-as-janelle-stepped-off-the-bus-janelle-turned/) [Carmen DeSousa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carmen-desousa/) > [Forget bottled water; tap water is just as good! Pour it into a reusable water bottle, and always have fresh water on the go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlan-gorse-cousteau/forget-bottled-water-tap-water-is-just-as-good-pour-it-into-a/) [Ashlan Gorse Cousteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlan-gorse-cousteau/) > [I used to have a Milton steel water bottle that I would wield like a hammer, almost! My answer to all my bullies was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaba-gupta/i-used-to-have-a-milton-steel-water-bottle-that-i-would-wield-like-a/) [Masaba Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaba-gupta/) > [As nervous as I am to pick up a water bottle, that's how nervous I am to perform. My confidence is very high. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gucci-mane/as-nervous-as-i-am-to-pick-up-a-water-bottle-that-s-how-nervous-i-am/) [Gucci Mane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gucci-mane/) > [We did the opening tailgate party - I'm not a big football person - and it started to rain. I was a little sick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-nicks/we-did-the-opening-tailgate-party-i-m-not-a-big-football-person-and/) [Stevie Nicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-nicks/) > [“You are the strangest girl I've ever met," he said, like he thought I was joking. He picked up his water bottle and gave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-kacvinsky/you-are-the-strangest-girl-i-ve-ever-met-he-said-like-he-thought-i/) [Katie Kacvinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-kacvinsky/) > [“Keri shook the cobwebs from her head, took a swig from her water bottle, got out, and headed back inside the station, reminding herself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-pierce/keri-shook-the-cobwebs-from-her-head-took-a-swig-from-her-water/) [Blake Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-pierce/) > [“I'm about to wake Brianna up to see if she knows anything when Carolyn comes in. Her hair is pulled back into a ponytail…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-verdi/i-m-about-to-wake-brianna-up-to-see-if-she-knows-anything-when/) [Jessica Verdi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-verdi/) > [“I sounded so bad ass, but I was really weak, tired, and pretty much shattered inside. If he gave me a hard time, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-d-davis/i-sounded-so-bad-ass-but-i-was-really-weak-tired-and-pretty-much/) [L.D. Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-d-davis/) > [“Clean," Peter said. "Can I get a water bottle or something to clean his hands?" I scanned the crowd. He drew my attention back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dani-alexander/clean-peter-said-can-i-get-a-water-bottle-or-something-to-clean-his/) [Dani Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dani-alexander/) > [“She never used to compare her appearance to Nan, but now that Brody was so near both of them again, she couldn’t help but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanda-hahn/she-never-used-to-compare-her-appearance-to-nan-but-now-that-brody/) [Chanda Hahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanda-hahn/) > [Going green doesn’t start with doing green acts - it starts with a shift in consciousness. This shift allows you to recognize that with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-somerhalder/going-green-doesn-t-start-with-doing-green-acts-it-starts-with-a/) [Ian Somerhalder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-somerhalder/) > [“God, I’ve just figured out what’s missing – you ditched the hallowed Albermarle Teddy Bear!’ I nodded.   ‘Banished to a dark cupboard for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tabitha-mcgowan/god-i-ve-just-figured-out-what-s-missing-you-ditched-the-hallowed/) [Tabitha McGowan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tabitha-mcgowan/) ## More by Dara Torres > [Being an Olympic Medalist was a team effort. So I am honored to be a part of CBS Sports' WE NEED TO TALK cast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dara-torres/being-an-olympic-medalist-was-a-team-effort-so-i-am-honored-to-be-a/) [Dara Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dara-torres/) > [There are days when I don't feel motivated and I don't want to get up to go to practice. I'm a very goal-oriented person,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dara-torres/there-are-days-when-i-don-t-feel-motivated-and-i-don-t-want-to-get-up/) [Dara Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dara-torres/) > [I'd proven to the world that maturity, experience, dedication, and ingenuity can make up for a little senescence. Muscle tightening is not the only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dara-torres/i-d-proven-to-the-world-that-maturity-experience-dedication-and/) [Dara Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dara-torres/) > [Setbacks have an upside; they fuel new dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dara-torres/setbacks-have-an-upside-they-fuel-new-dreams/) [Dara Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dara-torres/) > [I don't think you should let your age stop anything you want to do. Don't put an age limit on your dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dara-torres/i-don-t-think-you-should-let-your-age-stop-anything-you-want-to-do/) [Dara Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dara-torres/) > [Never put an age limit on your dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dara-torres/never-put-an-age-limit-on-your-dreams/) [Dara Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dara-torres/) > [I've wanted to win at everything, every day, since I was a kid. And time doesn't change a person, it just helps you get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dara-torres/i-ve-wanted-to-win-at-everything-every-day-since-i-was-a-kid-and-time/) [Dara Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dara-torres/) > [Most people who see me in pictures know what I look like. I'm going to continue to try to workout to maintain, but I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dara-torres/most-people-who-see-me-in-pictures-know-what-i-look-like-i-m-going-to/) [Dara Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dara-torres/) > [I'm thinking that I shouldn't have filed my nails last night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dara-torres/i-m-thinking-that-i-shouldn-t-have-filed-my-nails-last-night/) [Dara Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dara-torres/) > [I've always kept my body in shape and I will continue to always keep my body in shape.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dara-torres/i-ve-always-kept-my-body-in-shape-and-i-will-continue-to-always-keep/) [Dara Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dara-torres/) > [The water doesn't know how old you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dara-torres/the-water-doesn-t-know-how-old-you-are/) [Dara Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dara-torres/) > [I think if you can be a goal-setting person, it makes it easier to stay motivated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dara-torres/i-think-if-you-can-be-a-goal-setting-person-it-makes-it-easier-to/) [Dara Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dara-torres/) > [I really believe in setting goals, no matter what it is: whether it's losing five pounds or making the world championship team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dara-torres/i-really-believe-in-setting-goals-no-matter-what-it-is-whether-it-s/) [Dara Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dara-torres/) > [When I revealed the campaign, some lady in the front row, a photographer, asked "is that airbrushed?" So I just lifted my shirt up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dara-torres/when-i-revealed-the-campaign-some-lady-in-the-front-row-a/) [Dara Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dara-torres/) > [“Swimmers know full well that every second has a beginning, a middle, and an end.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dara-torres/swimmers-know-full-well-that-every-second-has-a-beginning-a-middle/) [Dara Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dara-torres/) [Explore all 20 Dara Torres quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dara-torres/) ## More Benches quotes > [No judge can stop us from praying for our country and I pray that on May 6, millions of Americans will join me in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-graham/no-judge-can-stop-us-from-praying-for-our-country-and-i-pray-that-on/) [Franklin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-graham/) > [I don't think I've ever bench-pressed anything in my life. Until about two years ago I swam a mile almost every day. Then I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-antosca/i-don-t-think-i-ve-ever-bench-pressed-anything-in-my-life-until-about/) [Nick Antosca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-antosca/) > [What if it turns out there really are witches and vampires and werewolves living right here alongside us? After all, what better disguise could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-lukyanenko/what-if-it-turns-out-there-really-are-witches-and-vampires-and/) [Sergei Lukyanenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-lukyanenko/) > [ A nominee \[to Supreme Court\] must possess the competence, character and temperament to serve on the bench. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/a-nominee-to-supreme-court-must-possess-the-competence-character-and/) [Herb Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kohl/) > [Truly, the bench is a boon to idlers. Whoever first came up with the idea is a genius: free public resting places where you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hodgkinson/truly-the-bench-is-a-boon-to-idlers-whoever-first-came-up-with-the/) [Tom Hodgkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hodgkinson/) > [I'm not one of those actors who romanticizes his trials working out and brags that he can bench press a panda now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/i-m-not-one-of-those-actors-who-romanticizes-his-trials-working-out/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [ The model for an NHL without fighting is right there in front of us. The \[playoffs are\] the time of year that fans love… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-dryden/the-model-for-an-nhl-without-fighting-is-right-there-in-front-of-us/) [Ken Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-dryden/) > [We're just a fragile team right now. It seems like when we have a little bit of adversity, when something goes wrong, you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-walz/we-re-just-a-fragile-team-right-now-it-seems-like-when-we-have-a/) Wes Walz > [There were crimson roses on the bench; they looked like splashes of blood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/there-were-crimson-roses-on-the-bench-they-looked-like-splashes-of/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [Every man in the game, from the minors on up, is not only fighting against the other side, but he's trying to hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ty-cobb/every-man-in-the-game-from-the-minors-on-up-is-not-only-fighting/) [Ty Cobb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ty-cobb/) > [I was in a garden at the Rodin Museum. For a few minutes I was alone, sitting on a bench between two long hedges…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irving-howe/i-was-in-a-garden-at-the-rodin-museum-for-a-few-minutes-i-was-alone/) [Irving Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irving-howe/) > [Israel has incredible entrepreneurial spirit and a deep bench of technology talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roelof-botha/israel-has-incredible-entrepreneurial-spirit-and-a-deep-bench-of/) [Roelof Botha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roelof-botha/) > [At 200 pounds, with a 17-inch neck, a resting pulse of 78, a bench press of 200 pounds, I was very much indeed a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-benedict/at-200-pounds-with-a-17-inch-neck-a-resting-pulse-of-78-a-bench-press/) [Dirk Benedict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-benedict/) > [When lifting weights, nothing feels better than achieving a high point on the bench press with no help from your spotter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cheeke/when-lifting-weights-nothing-feels-better-than-achieving-a-high-point/) [Robert Cheeke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cheeke/) > [It's so worth-while being a judge, because, if I make good, I can help prove that a woman's place is as much on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-ellinwood-allen/it-s-so-worth-while-being-a-judge-because-if-i-make-good-i-can-help/) [Florence Ellinwood Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-ellinwood-allen/) [Browse all 305 Benches quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benches/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Michael wasn't on the pool deck, which was hard for me. None of my old Coral Springs teammates were around. Still, that old plane of cement felt like home. I folded my clothes and put them on the bench. I placed my water bottle under my starting block, and I dove in. Once again, I felt that ultimate state of transition, my feet no longer on the ground, my hands not yet in the water.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dara Torres" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dara-torres/michael-wasn-t-on-the-pool-deck-which-was-hard-for-me-none-of-my-old/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Benches" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dara-torres/michael-wasn-t-on-the-pool-deck-which-was-hard-for-me-none-of-my-old/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d7/dara-torres-27628_benches_michael-wasn-t-on-the-pool-deck-which-wa_287557.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d7/dara-torres-27628_benches_michael-wasn-t-on-the-pool-deck-which-wa_287557.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d7/dara-torres-27628_benches_michael-wasn-t-on-the-pool-deck-which-wa_287557.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Michael wasn't on the pool deck, which was hard for me. None of my old Coral Springs teammates were around…” — Dara Torres", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dara Torres", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dara-torres/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Michael wasn't on the pool deck,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dara-torres/michael-wasn-t-on-the-pool-deck-which-was-hard-for-me-none-of-my-old/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dara-torres/michael-wasn-t-on-the-pool-deck-which-was-hard-for-me-none-of-my-old/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```