2021 PARALYMPIC MEDALIST, JAMAL HILL

Jamal Hill

Personal Information:

  • Born: 2/24/1995
  • Sport: ParaSwimming
  • Accomplishments: 
    10x National Champion. 
    Pan American Games Silver Medalist. 
    Tokyo 2020 Bronze Medalist. 
    World Championships Silver Medalist. 
  • Current Team: Swim Up Hill Victors @swimuphillvictors
  • Foundation: Swim Up Hill Foundation @swimuphilldotorg
  • Race Schedule: September 2nd, Men's S9 50m freestyle. Relay participation TBD.
  • Favorite H2O Product(s): Sonar Pro

Jamal Hill was only 10 years old when his body started to fail him. He experienced total paralysis and doctors considered amputating his right arm. The diagnosis: Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) – a hereditary neurological condition that can result in progressive loss of muscle tissue and touch sensation in the body.

CMT threatened to alter Jamal’s entire life, including his passion for swimming. But through sheer will, faith and determination Jamal has not only, over the years, regained his mobility, he is at the top of his game as a competitive swimmer. Today, at 26, the Los Angeles native is ranked #1 in the US Paralympic 50 Free and #3 in the world! As a result, competed in Tokyo as a member of the 2021 US Paralympic Swim Team where he won Bronze. 

Jamal developed a love for swimming through a local YMCA “Mommy & Me” swim class. It was evident that Jamal was a natural born swimmer. After his paralysis and recovery at age 10, his parents encouraged him to use CMT as an opportunity to overcome challenges and inspire others.

Jamal pushed through the pain and fear of being seen and treated differently and swam competitively in high school, receiving a swimming scholarship to Hiram College in Northeast Ohio. In three years, Jamal left Ohio to train under the University of Southern California’s Dave Salo and USC’s prestigious Trojan Elite Swim Team.

Jamal, who trains 14 hours every week, is now working with mental performance coach and swim consultant Wilma Wong. Jamal credits her innovative training style and techniques with improving his standing from unranked amateur to number one in the nation within one year.

Jamal’s passion for swimming extends well beyond his personal and professional accomplishments of a Bronze medal in Tokyo 2021. The latest statistics from the World Health Organization show that roughly 360,000 people lost their lives to drowning in 2016. In the US, drowning ranks fifth among the causes of unintentional injury death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In an attempt to lower the global drowning rate, Jamal founded the Swim Up Hill Foundation Inc. which will be teaching one million students how to swim annually by fall of 2028.

Get to Know Jamal Hill

What inspired you to pursue your sport?

I’ve been a lifetime swimmer since the age of 10 years old. It was during my junior year of college that I decided pursuing a professional career in the sport was something I wanted to do as a long term goal - envisioning competing through LA28

What are your Go Beyond achievements and milestones in your sporting career?

During the 2023 season I broke 16 American Records

Why did you choose to work with H2O Audio?

I chose to work with H2O audio because as a founder and serial entrepreneur I connected with the vision and ethos of Kristian Rauhala. The brands’s story of resilience and track record of remarkable partnerships, with the likes of swimming legends such as, Michael Phelps made it a clear choice!

How has H2O Audio enhanced your training and performance?

My training performance has an even better rhythm to it now, almost like a choreographed ballet dancer or synchronized swimmer. Each timing mechanic of my stroke is married with the rhythm and beat drop of passionate musical expression! I feel like it puts a little exclamation mark on the end of every set - like a swimming musical!

What is your favorite music or playlist to listen to during workouts, and what type of workout do you use it for? (We can create and link this playlist from our Spotify account).

Funny enough, my favorite playlist isn’t even on Spotify. It’s a recording of 31 biblical affirmations that reinforce and remind me of, who I AM! Outside of that, my favorite musical artist is the late, Nipsey Hussle

Can you share a memorable moment or story from your training where using H2O Audio waterproof headphones made a significant difference?

I think the most memorable difference has been the team atmosphere. Oddly all of my training partners also wearing H2O Audio waterproof headphones has helped us create a stronger bond in practice. Any competitive swimmer knows you don’t get much opportunity to talk much during swim practice as it is, but something about looking over during a challenging set and seeing my buddy rocking out both tickles me and fires me!

How do H2O Audio waterproof headphones help you stay motivated during tough training sessions or competitions?

Training is all about the voice in your head. It’s mental. What are you saying to yourself when things get challenging? My H2O Audio waterproof headphones have helped to make that motivational voice in my head louder than ever.

What advice do you have for aspiring athletes?

Confidence is something that’s cultivated. It is a delicate and rare flower that  requires daily attention and intention. When tended to properly the world smells fresh and you are bestows with the perfect pair of rose-tinted lenses. Your entire perception of self and your abilities blossom beyond limitation 

Additionally, if you have a personal website or another site you would like to link to, please let us know so we can include it on your page. At this time the page will also have one hero image of you, if you have one in mind you would like to use please send my way. The page will also be pulling from social with additional images with you using H2O Audio.

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