Swimming is incredibly demanding — not only physically and mentally but on your time as well. On a daily basis, you have to train, do dryland, lift weights, stretch and foam roll, and travel to and from the pool. That's not to mention the discipline needed focus on your diet or rehab injuries. The list is endless. As athletes, finding balance can be extremely challenging.

You are not the only one facing these issues and digging deep for motivation from time to time. Thus, we turned to the experts to share the exact pep talk you need to hear when something goes wrong… or sometimes even when everything is going right.

1.) When you feel like your best isn't good enough

Nobody knows winning and success like legendary UCLA men's basketball coach John Wooden. But if you ask him, he doesn't think about winning — it is simply a byproduct of prioritizing success. Doing everything you can do to the best of your ability and focusing on the details will make you a successful person. By doing that, you will become a winner.

2.) During fall training, when you feel like you can't swim another lap

Diana Nyad was the first person to accomplish the 110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida at the age of 64 — on her fifth try, no less. In sharing her experiences and perspective on the trek, she teaches us to never, ever give up. The journey is great no matter what and, if you can make it, the destination is even greater.

3.) When you are killing your training & ready to take your mental game to the next level

Sports psychologist Martin Hagger explains how to gain a champion's mindset. He breaks down the keys to think like a winner as well as what type of mindset can cause failure. You will gain insight on how to change your attitude and behavior to take your performances to the next level.

4.) When you hit the midseason slump & want to skip that morning workout

October and November can get difficult. The newness of the season has worn off. You are traveling for meets more often, and you have to stay up late studying for exams or finishing projects. Motivation to get up at 5 AM can be hard to find or postponing your afternoon nap to rehab a sore shoulder might not be appealing. But the hardest part is just getting up. Mel Robbins knows what it is like and she has a great five-second trick to help beat these blues.

5.) When you narrowly miss a cut or your goal time

Dr. Carol Dweck has spent many years researching the type of mindset that yields successful results. Listening to her describe a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset will remind you not to give up or believe that you will never reach your goal. Know that falling short is not a failure, it simply is a "not yet." Though many of her examples include studies done on students, the parallel can easily be made to swimming or any other pursuits, for that matter.

Keep coming back to this list throughout your season — from the good times to the bad. The key to being mentally strong is to practice. Just as you would study what you learn in school, study the words of those who have seen or experienced it all.