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Treading Water
Sydney Hanley was four years old when her mom gave her the nickname “Fishy Girl.” Growing up by a lake, Sydney was always in the water—often deeper than her mother would have liked. She played mermaids with her sister, catch with her brothers, and swam laps to her neighbors’ buoys and back. She would spend hours in the lake for days at a time. She could never just be by the water; if she was near it, she had to go under, had to swim. At freshly nineteen, in the spring of her senior year of high school, Sydney learned how to properly tread water for the first time.
Now in college, Sydney reflects on her time spent as an athlete throughout her life with her memoir, Treading Water. She refuses to hold back the raw moments of her journey toward college athletics as she extends a lifeline to those struggling in a world obsessed with the curation of self-images. Treading Water breaks into “writing sketches” to convey Sydney’s personal entrapment with the relentless pursuit of perfection, the emotional toll of being consistently reduced to statistics, and the lull that follows a blatant failure to meet expectations. The memoir also delves into critical moments in Sydney’s life where seeking help and embracing vulnerability propelled her toward a stage of healing and self-acceptance.
With Treading Water, Sydney shares how sometimes just keeping her head above water was exhausting. Sometimes, she even gave up completely. But ultimately, she created her own path back to self-fulfillment and acceptance. Her memoir is a testament to the importance of mental health in sports, the courage it takes to speak out, and the strength in the legs of those still treading.
Now in college, Sydney reflects on her time spent as an athlete throughout her life with her memoir, Treading Water. She refuses to hold back the raw moments of her journey toward college athletics as she extends a lifeline to those struggling in a world obsessed with the curation of self-images. Treading Water breaks into “writing sketches” to convey Sydney’s personal entrapment with the relentless pursuit of perfection, the emotional toll of being consistently reduced to statistics, and the lull that follows a blatant failure to meet expectations. The memoir also delves into critical moments in Sydney’s life where seeking help and embracing vulnerability propelled her toward a stage of healing and self-acceptance.
With Treading Water, Sydney shares how sometimes just keeping her head above water was exhausting. Sometimes, she even gave up completely. But ultimately, she created her own path back to self-fulfillment and acceptance. Her memoir is a testament to the importance of mental health in sports, the courage it takes to speak out, and the strength in the legs of those still treading.
110 pages, Paperback
Published September 5, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 8, 2025
*Treading Water* is a raw and deeply personal memoir that dives beneath the surface of athletic success to explore the emotional and psychological toll of competitive sports. From her childhood nickname "Fishy Girl" to her collegiate athletic career, Hanley vividly recounts her lifelong connection to water. Yet, this memoir goes far beyond nostalgia, offering a nuanced reflection on the pressures of being defined by performance metrics in a world obsessed with perfection.
What makes *Treading Water* stand out is Hanley's unflinching honesty about the darker moments burnout, self-doubt, and the crushing weight of expectations. Her vulnerability in sharing these struggles feels both brave and relatable, especially for anyone who has ever felt the need to "perform" in life.
The "writing sketches" she uses to structure her reflections give the memoir an intimate, journal-like quality that pulls readers into her journey.
Ultimately, this is a story of resilience and self-acceptance. Hanley's path to healing, from seeking help to redefining herself outside of athletic achievements, is inspiring. Her insights into mental health and the importance of letting go of
perfectionism are profound and empowering. *Treading Water* isn't just for athletes-it's a beautifully written reminder that sometimes, just staying afloat is more than enough.
What makes *Treading Water* stand out is Hanley's unflinching honesty about the darker moments burnout, self-doubt, and the crushing weight of expectations. Her vulnerability in sharing these struggles feels both brave and relatable, especially for anyone who has ever felt the need to "perform" in life.
The "writing sketches" she uses to structure her reflections give the memoir an intimate, journal-like quality that pulls readers into her journey.
Ultimately, this is a story of resilience and self-acceptance. Hanley's path to healing, from seeking help to redefining herself outside of athletic achievements, is inspiring. Her insights into mental health and the importance of letting go of
perfectionism are profound and empowering. *Treading Water* isn't just for athletes-it's a beautifully written reminder that sometimes, just staying afloat is more than enough.
August 18, 2025
*updated review!
I finally finished (finally meaning I read it all in one sitting...) I couldnt put it down. Sydney has such a way with words, and as an ex-athlete myself who hung up my cleats for mental health reasons and injuries, this spoke to me more than I thought it would. I recommend everyone who is anybody to read this. It is so personable and it hit me way harder than I thought it would. I knew I would connect with Hanley's words, but not in this type of way.
I mean this genuinely, every athlete should read this. Athlete mental health needs to be prioritized. If not now then when? Athletes are put under so much pressure from such a young age, and the sole statistic of 7% of athletes become college athletes should tell you how difficult it is. The recruiting, the pressure, the training, the two a days. Your life becomes your sport, and on top of that being a student? It is beyond difficult. I learned so much from being a college athlete and I loved it, but the cons outweighed the pros, and it got to a point where I needed to be selfish and prioritize me. I forgot how to do that with the years of perusing success and making my coaches happy.
Moral of the story, READ THIS BOOK. Wether your an athlete or not, it will connect with you on a level you wouldnt imagine.
I’m extremely excited to dive into Treading Water. Hanley is such a talented author, and her writing style flows exactly how my brain thinks. It feels as if she’s putting my own thoughts into words, which makes the reading experience incredibly immersive. This is exactly the kind of book I’ve been craving. It is engaging, relatable, and beautifully written. I can already tell it’s going to be a story I won’t want to put down.
I finally finished (finally meaning I read it all in one sitting...) I couldnt put it down. Sydney has such a way with words, and as an ex-athlete myself who hung up my cleats for mental health reasons and injuries, this spoke to me more than I thought it would. I recommend everyone who is anybody to read this. It is so personable and it hit me way harder than I thought it would. I knew I would connect with Hanley's words, but not in this type of way.
I mean this genuinely, every athlete should read this. Athlete mental health needs to be prioritized. If not now then when? Athletes are put under so much pressure from such a young age, and the sole statistic of 7% of athletes become college athletes should tell you how difficult it is. The recruiting, the pressure, the training, the two a days. Your life becomes your sport, and on top of that being a student? It is beyond difficult. I learned so much from being a college athlete and I loved it, but the cons outweighed the pros, and it got to a point where I needed to be selfish and prioritize me. I forgot how to do that with the years of perusing success and making my coaches happy.
Moral of the story, READ THIS BOOK. Wether your an athlete or not, it will connect with you on a level you wouldnt imagine.
I’m extremely excited to dive into Treading Water. Hanley is such a talented author, and her writing style flows exactly how my brain thinks. It feels as if she’s putting my own thoughts into words, which makes the reading experience incredibly immersive. This is exactly the kind of book I’ve been craving. It is engaging, relatable, and beautifully written. I can already tell it’s going to be a story I won’t want to put down.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews