Performance versus Potential The word ‘performance’ makes me cringe. It brings me back to high school swim meets. Spending time before a race visualizing a qualifying time that would earn me a spot in the State swim meet. Then diving off the blocks and falling apart. The weeks, months, years of practice completely escaping me. Anxiety and overthinking taking over. Potential, I can get behind. Everyone has potential. With my swimmers, I cultivate curiosity, resilience, and a growth mindset….

Alone, together This week I had the pleasure of layering coaching sessions with three swimmers; the intersections colored each person’s learning in new shades and launched them up the spiral of learning. But it wasn’t without reservations. From me: will they feel like they’re getting the same benefit as they would one on one? What if they don’t like each other? And I imagine, for them: each had to give up valuable one-on-one time and allow group dynamics. It was a risk. Do you prefer doing…

LESSONS FROM THE WATER READ PREVIOUS ARTICLES WEBSITE SCHEDULE SUBSTACK Where are you gripping? I was driving in traffic the other day and caught myself humming. It’s a practice my coach taught me — a simple way to find myself when I feel scattered or braced. Humming helps ensure I’m continuously exhaling in the water, something I continue to struggle with. While I was surprised to catch myself humming in the car, that wasn’t what was interesting — it was how tightly I was gripping the…

What’s it like for you? Do you have an easy time showing up for your training sessions? Or is it a struggle to make it happen? (🙋♀️ Yep, I’ve been there.) Showing up is half the battle, but making each stroke count—that’s the real challenge. In community, we support each other in putting our best effort forward. Yes, there are times when showing up is all we can do and it’s enough. But let’s be real—water time is precious. We need to make it matter. This isn’t about hollow conversations,…

Effort vs. Exchange As the seasons change—with cooler weather, darker days, and at times, water falling out of the sky—I’ve found myself on my rowing machine for movement. (Remember those Zones 4 and 5 I’m chasing to “age gracefully”?) After last week’s 550 yards, I’m reminded there are many ways to build the engine. Rowing, like cycling and running, builds cardiovascular capacity that carries over to the water—which is why I tell triathletes they’ve got it made. Their bike and run training…

Hi there, Yesterday I wrapped up Session 1 of Intro to Efficient Swimming at Rogue X. One participant — a lifelong swimmer who joined because she wanted to keep swimming kind to her joints — described the experience as “revolutionary.” The word struck me—because we weren’t chasing speed or performance, we simply slowed down enough to feel what actually supports the body. The exciting part? What supports the body will actually result in speed. If you’ve been curious about exploring swimming…