Michael’s parents emigrated from South Africa (his dad was a navy diver), settling in Aberdeen, South Dakota and later in Lawrence, Kansas.
In 2013, Andrew turned professional at the age of 14 and became the youngest American swimmer to do so. As a junior swimmer he broke more than 100 National Age Group records (long course meters and short course yards combined), more than any other American swimmer.
In 2017, Andrew became the first person to achieve three world junior records in one session at a World Junior Swimming Championships.
At the 2019 World Aquatics Championships, he became the first male swimmer to final in all four strokes, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle, in the 50 meter events at a single World Aquatics Championships.
At his first Olympic Games, the 2020 Summer Olympics, he won a gold medal and set a world record as part of the 4x100 meter medley relay, Michael is the first swimmer to represent the United States at an Olympic Games in an individual breaststroke event as well as another individual event other than an individual medley in the then-125-year-history of swimming at the Summer Olympics.
Optimal performances require optimal sleep, and this Gold Medalist and World Record Holder knows where to turn. He is dripping with passion for the things he loves, and we’re thrilled he loves his Afloat Waterbed and that we can call him our resident Afloat Athlete.
“…I am so happy to have a bed that I can share from time to time with my favorite pets, whether they have 4 legs, or no legs…”
In June 2022 Michael won 5 medals at the World Games in Budapest, Hungary: Mixed 4x100 Medley Relay (Gold), Men’s 4x100 Medley Relay (Silver), Men’s 50 meter Freestyle (Silver), Men’s 50 meter Backstroke (Bronze), and Men’s 50 meter Butterfly (Bronze).
Michael resides right next to the ocean in southern California with his pet snake, Barbossa.
Becoming an Olympian is hard but beating everyone else in your race at the Olympics is beyond difficult and comes with great sacrifice. It takes discipline and work ethic that is rarely required by the average person at work. Michael is in the pool for hours every day of the year and in the gym each day to support his swimming success.
And Michael knows that his efforts in the pool or gym are only as good as the recovery his body gets after those workouts.
“…tenths and hundredths of seconds can separate first from last at any competition, so I’m looking for every possible advantage. Afloat provides me with better recovery each day, and so I have found my new liquid home away from the office.”
Michael with his prized snake Barbossa chilling on his Afloat California King waterbed
Check out my videos on why I love my Alfoat waterbed