Relentless Spirit ─ The Unconventional Raising of a Champion

What does it take to become a champion? Gold medalist Missy Franklin, along with her parents, D.A. and Dick, tell the inspirational and heartwarming story of how Missy became both a legendary athlete and a happy and confident woman, something they accomplished by doing things their own way and making the right choices for their family. 

At seventeen, Missy Franklin won five medals—four of them gold—at the London Olympics. She hopes to represent the United States at the 2016 Games in Rio, and her parents will be at her side for all of the excitement.

Since her Olympic debut, people who have met Missy and her family or seen them on TV have wondered what it was like to raise such an incredible champion. What was the training like? How did Missy handle school? How did the family find the right facilities, coaches, and support network? Missy, D.A., and Dick explain how it all happened, sharing their family’s story of how Missy became the champion she is today, something they accomplished through hard work, trust, and making the choices that were right for them. 

Anyone inspired by Missy and the rest of the Franklin family will now be able to read about them and be moved by their wonderful story.

Melissa “Missy” Franklin is a competitive swimmer and four-time Olympic gold medalist. Among her numerous distinctions, she is a World and American record holder, an eleven-time World Champion, and an NCAA champion. Missy currently lives with her parents in Centennial, Colorado, and trains with her coach, Todd Schmitz. She plans to return to UC Berkeley after the 2016 Olympics to continue her studies in psychology. Missy’s parents, Dick and D.A. Franklin, are originally from Canada but moved to the United States, eventually settling in Colorado.