About Me
My name is Trent Frandson. I grew up in Iowa and moved to California to study engineering and compete in swimming at the highest collegiate level possible. My time here at UC Berkeley has been one of the most educational and rewarding experiences of my life.
Early Life
Growing up in Iowa, I was an only child with an extreme curiosity about how things worked. My parents were often exhausted by my constant questions—'How does that work?' and 'How do they make that?' Recognizing my curiosity, they encouraged it by providing me with tools and old electronics to take apart and experiment with.
After a few inexperienced mistakes that led to tripped circuit breakers in the house, I picked up woodworking as a hobby. As I grew older and more capable, I began helping my dad on the farm with mechanical repairs, welding lessons, and various construction projects. These experiences instilled in me a strong mechanical sense, a love for hands-on development and testing, and a passion for independent exploration and problem-solving.
Background and Hobbies
Swimming
Swimming is my largest hobby, and it eventually became a central part of my life. I started swimming when I was 5 years old, beginning with swim lessons and quickly joining a YMCA team. Since then, I’ve never looked back. After logging well over the 10,000 hours it takes to become a master at something, I still truly enjoy swimming and plan to use it to stay fit for the rest of my life.
Being a dedicated student of the sport and maintaining discipline in training has taught me many valuable skills. Perhaps the most fulfilling is the ability to continuously seek that extra 1% improvement—even when it feels like there’s nothing left to give. This mindset has become a core principle that I apply in my daily life.
Hiking and Outdoor Activities
Hiking and outdoor activities are my favorite ways to destress. I’ve hiked the Tetons, explored trails all over Marin and the Berkeley Hills, and trekked through Yellowstone and Santa Barbara. Coming from Iowa, having access to such beautiful and diverse natural landscapes has been a dream come true.
There’s something about being in nature that brings me a sense of inner peace, and it’s a feeling I haven’t been able to match anywhere else.
Building and Fixing Things
Fixing things around the house and building projects from scratch bring me some of the greatest joy of all my hobbies. The euphoria of completing a project and stepping back to admire the finished product is incredibly rewarding.
At the same time, I often notice small imperfections—things no one else would ever see but that stand out to me as the builder. These imperfections push me to strive for even better results next time. This pursuit of perfection mirrors my experience in swimming and reflects one of my core values, instilled in me through my upbringing.
