Ashley Owens: podcast appearances and interviews

Ashley Owens is an American Paralympic swimmer from Georgia. She was born on October 2, 1989, and grew up in the greater Atlanta area. Owens graduated from Stockbridge High School in 2008 and began swimming competitively at age eight. She participated in the sport through middle school and attributes her athletic success to her first coach, Judy Burdette. Burdette, a former competitive swimmer, physical therapist, aquatic therapist, and coach, guided Owens and pushed her to excel. Owens represented the Tara Tarpon Swim team in Clayton County beginning in July 2005. The team was based in Jonesboro, Georgia, and Owens was a member of the Cobb County Stingrays swim team at age seven, competing in events such as the 25 yard backstroke and later the 100 and 200 yard races. She won a notable event at the Georgia State Invitational Swim Meet in March 1996. Owens has achieved recognition for her accomplishments in swimming, including medaling at both the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.