Bob Bowman has been studying the great coaches and leaders since his days as an undergraduate at Florida State University, where he captained the school's nationally ranked swim team.

In addition to Phelps, Bowman has been the primary coach for six other Olympic medalists, including Alison Schmitt (a three-time gold medal winner in London), and was the head coach of USA Swimming for the past two Olympics.

As a consultant he has advised swimming federations in the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey, among others.