How are you enjoying your success? Been inundated with Jimmy Choos?

Not really! My parents bought me a pair to say well done and I have about five pairs. Shoes are the one thing that I can dress up in and feel feminine because I sometimes find it hard to find clothes that fit me. I haven't suddenly become a millionaire; that doesn't happen in swimming. I hope to be financially comfortable in a few years, but it's not about that for me.

How much of your success is natural talent and how much hard work?

It's a little bit of both, to be honest. I have to work so hard; you can't just rely on talent. I'm up at 5am most days. At the moment, all I do is swim, sleep and eat and it will be like this for the next four years. I was going to go back to college after the Olympics, but there's no time.

Were you a water baby?

My parents took me swimming when I was about 4 to have lessons and I've been doing it full-on since I was about 12 or 13.

Any body issues about wearing swimming costumes so much?

I have the same body issues as everyone else; more so probably because we have to wear skimpy costumes every day. I have really big shoulders, which aren't very feminine or flattering in a strapless dress, but they help me with my sport. Also, our costumes are so tight that they suck you in, in places you never knew you had - like massive control pants! Maybe I should wear mine all the time.

You must be in super-fit shape.

When I got back from Beijing I was indulging in loads of cakes and stuff. I have put on quite a bit of weight since then, which I want to lose, but I can't diet while training. I'm trying to cut out the rubbish and eat a bit healthier. I'm tall and my body shape is naturally big and broad; not fat, just naturally bigger. I need the power from my build to swim well, but at the same time I have to work really hard at staying slim.

Do you have to eat a lot while training?

I normally eat about 2,500 and 3,000 calories a day. It's not really about calories; it's about making sure that I am getting enough protein and carbohydrates. It takes a lot to make me feel full.

What is your daily regimen like?

I do ten two-hour swimming sessions a week. Two on a Monday (and one gym session), two on a Tuesday, one on a Wednesday (and one gym session), two on a Thursday, two on a Friday (and one gym session), one on a Saturday and then I collapse on Sunday and don't take my pyjamas off all day.

Sounds punishing

It's always difficult, but so is going to work for some people. It's what I love to do, and I wouldn't change it for the world. I know that if I don't get out of bed in the morning, and miss training, I won't have the edge in a competition.

Do you have a lucky costume?

I tend to wear a different costume each time, but at the Beijing Olympics I wore only one costume because I did well in the 400m heat and by the time the final came along, I was superstitious about it. At least then, if I didn't do well, I could blame the suit.

Are you normally superstitious?

I have to have the television volume on an even number, I'm not sure why.

Ever suffer bad pre-race nerves?

I get them really bad. Before the Olympics,I felt so sick that I had to lie down so I didn't faint. But I handled it, and it got my adrenalin going a bit more. It was just my body's way of getting ready to race.

Your boyfriend's a swimmer too; ever challenge him to a race?

We're competitive about little things, but not in the pool. He does butterfly, which I can't do to save my life. We always have a laugh with it; if we are being competitive, it's just a joke.

Green tea or your GP?

I'll take a paracetamol only if I'm ill to the point where I can't get out of bed. If I have a headache, I'll just lie down for ten minutes, close my eyes and have a little nap.

Future ambitions?

I want to go to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi 2010. Swimming isn't a lifelong career because of the demands on your body, but I love the sport and when my career is over, I want to help other people get involved.

Times recommends

• Tewkesbury: when the memories flood back
• How I lost the gift of joy for a while
• The A-Z of winter style rules