[2][3][4] Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1976, Nall is named after record-setting gymnast Nadia Comăneci, who competed that year in the 1976 Summer Olympics as a 14-year-old.

Murray Stephens, her coach at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, said of Nall after she broke the world record, "Physically she's a strong girl.

[8] The head coach of Northwestern University's women's swim team was quoted just prior to the Olympics that year as saying, "Anita has technically a perfect breaststroke.

[8] The next year, Nall's swimming faltered, attributed to chronic fatigue syndrome and blood pressure abnormalities.

[1][4] Nall attributes her past health problems to food sensitivities affecting her immune system, which went undiagnosed until 2005, combined with poor nutrition.