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BC SWIMMING ALUMNI: MICHELLE LANDRY
May 22, 2026
Michelle Landry’s swimming career is defined by discipline, resilience, and a ‘never-give-up’ mentality. She first started competitive swimming with the Chena Swim Club from 1993 to 1999 before moving to the UBC Dolphins from 1999 to 2008. This period also included her Varsity years representing the UBC Thunderbirds from 2002 to 2007. Today, she remains connected to the sport as a swim parent, watching her kids learn to swim and compete in the same North Vancouver pool where her journey began.
Throughout her career, Landry was influenced by many important individuals who shaped her development in and out of the pool. Mentioning longtime coach Derrick Schoof as being the most profound, she emphasized his unwavering support and consistency. From age 13 through the end of her career, from incredible highs to devastating lows. “He was a leader who was positive, action-oriented, and deeply connected to my best interests” she says. Landry credits sports psychologist Dr. Dana Sinclair for helping her navigate the demands of being a student-athlete and high-performance sport. For providing the tools to perform under pressure and instilling the importance of focusing on the process rather than the outcome.
Landry highlights the importance of family throughout her journey. Her husband, Scott Dickens, has been a constant source of support and perspective since the early days of their swimming careers, helping her find strength within herself. She recalls a defining moment at the 2005 CIS National Championships, when Scott sat with her at her lowest point and refused to leave until she was repeating the words “I will win” over and over. She went on to win the race the next day. She also credits her parents, whom she calls her rocks and her heroes. From 4:30 am practices to the stands at every major meet, and through every setback in between, their unconditional support shaped who she has become and taught her that success is always a team effort.
One of Landry’s most memorable moments came in her fifth and final year at UBC, when she and her teammates captured the CIS (USPORTS) National Championship in Halifax. The team title completed her perfect 5-for-5 career record at the National Championships and marked UBC’s 10th consecutive national title. Cementing what would later be known as the program’s “Decade of Dominance.” She remembers how the entire team rose to the challenge. Landry noted, “Celebrating the 10th title with parents who flew across the country – is a feeling I’ll never forget. It taught me that championship cultures are built on everyone performing at their best when the pressure is highest.”
Another standout moment came at the 2007 World University Games in Bangkok. Landry recalls the rare experience of being part of a team where every athlete achieved a personal best. “That experience stands out because it represented the ‘perfect taper’ and perfect team synergy. It wasn’t just about my own races; it was the joy of watching a whole roster of friends achieve their dreams simultaneously.” For Landry, the experience represented the ideal combination of preparation, performance, and shared success, further strengthened by the opportunity to travel with family following the meet.
Since stepping away from competition, Landry has focused on family and her career. Alongside her husband, Scott, whom many may know as a two-time Olympian, she is raising two children and embracing the full-circle moment of watching them stand on the same starting blocks that she once did. Professionally, she has built a successful career in the tech industry and now serves as the Regional Vice President of Sales – Retail/Consumer Goods, Canada at Salesforce.
Reflecting on her journey, Landry expresses a deep sense of gratitude for the sport and the community around it. She credits swimming with shaping her identity, saying, “Those years of competition didn’t just define my athletic career; they truly shaped the person and leader I am today.” The one piece of advice I would give my younger self is simply this: Savor and enjoy every single moment.
Take a breath and realize how incredible it is to travel the world with your best friends, to be in the best shape of your life, and to achieve things that most people only dream of. The teammates and coaches who are pushing you today will become the foundation of your lifelong support system.
I would tell that younger girl to look up from the black line at the bottom of the pool once in a while, smile, and realize she is part of something truly special.