How a Trial Attorney Finds Clarity and Solutions in the Pool: What Swimming Gives William Robinson Beyond the Courtroom

William Robinson didn’t wander back into swimming.

He came back with intention, stayed with conviction, and now swims with a sense of purpose that goes well beyond the lane lines.

At 69, William swims with Team Gold in Florida. He’s an attorney who still loves his work, a Masters swimmer who trains consistently, and someone who sees swimming as one of the great stabilizing forces in his life.

He grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, where his father worked at Yale and made sure William learned to swim early. His lessons came from Olympic champion Don Schollander, a remarkable introduction that planted a seed even if it didn’t fully take root at the time.

Life got busy. Swimming faded.

Years later, it returned through his daughters.

Taking his three girls to swim lessons brought William back to the pool. Watching their joy, their confidence, and their comfort in the water reminded him of what swimming had once given him. This time, he stayed.

Distance Swimmer at Heart, Sprinter in Spirit

William gravitates toward longer swims. Open water holds a special place for him, especially a challenging swim to the lighthouse in Islamorada that stretched four and a half miles out and the same distance back.

His daughter’s warning still makes him smile: there are no fences in the water.

That respect for distance shapes how he trains today. Three to four swims a week at Victory Pool in North Miami Beach. Two to three thousand yards at a time. Steady, consistent, and honest work.

His favorite set says a lot about him. Ten 100s on a sustainable interval. Enough structure to stay focused, enough space to think, and just enough pressure to keep showing up.

And yet, for all the distance he swims, his favorite event is the 50 freestyle. He laughs about it, knowing he’s not the fastest, but drawn to the challenge anyway. He lines up next to legends like Cab Kavanaugh and imagines what longevity might look like if he keeps going.

That mix of realism and aspiration feels very William.

The Pool Clears the Noise

William has spent decades practicing law. He thrives on helping people, solving problems, and thinking deeply. Swimming supports all of that.

Some of his best clarity comes between the flags and the wall. Long swims give him room to process. Ideas surface. Stress softens. Perspective returns.

He doesn’t separate swimming from the rest of his life. The pool supports his work, his thinking, and his ability to show up fully in other spaces.

That integration is part of why he’s stayed with the sport for so long.

Pride, Purpose, and Paying It Forward

One of the most powerful moments in William’s story has nothing to do with his own accomplishments.

He’s the father of four, including three daughters who swam. One of them went on to become the first Black woman to earn a PhD in nuclear engineering from MIT.

He shares that with pride and humility, knowing exactly how much support, access, and belief matter along the way.

That awareness shapes how he views the Masters community.

William loves the warmth of Masters swimming. He also believes it can grow. He wants to see more African American swimmers on deck. More kids introduced to the water early. More pathways created through scholarships and strong programs.

He points to role models like Simone Manuel and sees momentum building. He also knows momentum doesn’t sustain itself.

“I need to do my part,” he says.

That sense of responsibility sits right alongside his love for the sport.

An Open Lane

William Robinson swims because the water has given him clarity, connection, and community. He stays because he believes swimming works best when more people are invited in.

His story is about showing up consistently, staying curious, and making space for others along the way.

If you enjoy Masters swimming stories that explore purpose, community, and longevity, this one will feel familiar. Share it with someone who finds their footing in the water or someone who might be waiting for an invitation. You can also stay connected by joining our Mojo Messages, short encouraging notes delivered to your inbox to help you live well and swim well. And if you’re in a position to widen the lane for someone else, take it. The ripple matters. We’re cheering you on.

Email us at HELLO@ChampionsMojo.com. Opinions discussed are not medical advice. Please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.

You can learn more about the Host and Founder of Champions Mojo at www.KellyPalace.com