['When I was a kid I almost drowned so I would be nervous getting in the pool...but since my parents put me in swimming lessons I gained confidence and even joined the swim team', 'Wow, good for you finding the courage to overcome your fear! I can understand why you were nervous after what you went through.', "Yes it was scary.  But I'm grateful for my parents for nipping it in the bud...sometimes that kind of fear stays with a person for the rest of their life"]
I completely understand. Your parents sound like great people.
I used to be nervous getting in the pool when I was a little kid because it would remind me of when I almost drowned...but swimming lessons took care of that, I'm glad my parents pushed me and gave me confidence to be on the swim team