The swim is absolutely an accomplishment, but this is laying it on a bit thick:

> He seems to feel pride about having achieved autonomy—from society, his parents, higher-level institutions, and the pressures to conform.

And what does this autonomy from society and his parents look like?

> Paris’s 15th arrondissement, near where he lives in a small studio apartment attached to his parents’ home

Ah yes, it's the autonomy of being 19 and having an apartment in a trendy, arty bit of central Paris (Montparnasse), paid by your mom the Mayor.