Though Milwaukee swimmer Emilio Perez, 22, has spent most of his life swimming at local pools, he’s now focused on building his career and potentially competing in the Olympics.
Currently, he’s training for a competition in Mexico in April, which will determine who earns a spot on the world championship team.
To prepare himself, the Greenfield resident wakes at 5:30 a.m., walks his German shepherd, eats breakfast and heads to the YMCA in Mukwonago, where he trains with his swim coach, Bridget Carter.
“He puts in the time and effort needed to be the best version of himself,” Carter said.
For Perez, the best way to stay consistent is by showing up on the days he doesn’t want to and sacrificing family vacations to train.
“There’s days in swimming where it’s boring, like when I have to do aerobic swim,” he said. “If I give up two or three days of training, I can lose out on stuff that I’ve been working on for weeks.”
Perez also prepares by watching YouTube videos about using specific energy systems, creating zones and other swim techniques.
“I just want to understand how to use the water and not be one of those people that just slaps it as hard as they can,” he said. “I’m definitely learning how to move smarter in the water.”
Path to success
Perez, who grew up on the South Side, learned how to swim at 5 after watching his three oldest siblings take on the hobby.
“I saw how my siblings swam and they just paved the way for me,” he said.
His brother, Enrique Perez, still coaches Emilio through practices and meets. Enrique said he practices tough love with Perez by not holding back on critiques and being blunt.
“We’re both very understanding and want to see long-term success,” Enrique said. “We don’t take things harsh or personally, so everything said is for the best.”
Taking time away
As a teenager, Perez swam for the Southwest Aquatic Team at Wilson Pool and then for Greenfield High School. But he quit swimming during his freshman year to play football and basketball.
“When I played football and basketball, everything was so much fun, even the conditioning,” he said. “The things my teammates hated to do, I actually loved it.”
After sustaining a broken ankle and torn ACL and meniscus, Perez found his way back to the pool sophomore year.
Enrique says he admires his brother’s pivot back to swimming.
“From my perspective, I know that was a very hard choice to make, but I think it was a great example that if you love something, let it go. If it’s meant to be, then it’ll come back to you,” Enrique said.
Breaking records
Throughout Perez’s swim journey, he found success often. His high school team finished second during the 2021 Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 1 State Swimming and Diving Championships, and he set two state records.
That year, he was named Athlete of the Year at the Journal Sentinel High School Sports Awards and WIAA Swimmer of the Year.
Taking it global
After high school, Perez began to swim internationally, competing in the 2022 Campeonato Nacional de Invierno in Cancun and the 2024 Speedo Grand Prix in Guadalajara, his family’s hometown. He also competed at the 2023 and 2024 Kosuke Kitajima Cup in Japan.
“I got to swim in an Olympic games venue where the 2021 Tokyo Olympics was,” he said.
Perez has dual-citizenship in the U.S. and Mexico and hopes to represent either country on a global stage. As he works toward that goal, Perez is finding other ways to make a living as a swimmer.
Swimming as a business
Perez participated on a club swim team at McKendree University but realized resources after college are scarce.
“They don’t tell you that when you get out of college, you’re on your own,” he said. “Swim doesn’t pay good monthly, so a lot of swimmers will have other jobs, especially when they are starting out.”
By seeking opportunities and making connections with organizations, Perez is able to keep swimming.
He is part of Aquatics Ambassadors Milwaukee, an initiative of the Milwaukee Parks Foundation. He even designing the group’s logo.
In addition, he is sponsored by A3 Performance, a swimwear brand in Oconomowoc that works with Perez to create custom swim gear and provides other support.
“I am also always looking for new opportunities to partner and work with others,” he said. “It’s hard making a living on this.”
Becoming a coach
Aside from those activities, Perez coaches the Schroeder YMCA Swim Team, working one-on-one with swimmers on their technique, heart rate zones and other conditioning.
He coached Carter’s oldest son after her family moved to Milwaukee from Delaware in 2022.
“My son and others looked up to him,” she said. “They had fun with him at practice and he communicated with these swimmers as a teammate, not just a coach.”
Milwaukee is always home
In 2022, Perez trained with the Phoenix Swim Club in Arizona, then returned to Milwaukee after realizing he has pride for the city
“I’m very big on being loyal,” Perez said. “Milwaukee means so much to me because I was born and raised here, so it’s special.”
That humbleness and loyalty are part of what makes Perez special, Carter said.
“He is Emilio first and a swimmer second,” she said.
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