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Epic Insights from OG, Wayne Goldsmith plus Heavy Or Not clarifications, flashback and previews for #13

Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide

Release Date: 03/07/2025

Steps along the pathway for a coach's wellness journey show art Steps along the pathway for a coach's wellness journey

Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide

Barry Healey cares about the coaching profession and aims to improve sports In this candid conversation, episode #77 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, coaches Barry Healey and Mark Rauterkus discuss the real‑world challenges of running a swim program. Wellness matters to those on the pool decks. Burnout to compliance…. They sharing practical tricks that actually work. Learn how small changes can protect coaches, calm parents, and boost program growth. What you’ll discover: The hidden costs of coach burnout and why many lack a support system. Proven strategies for managing young...

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Challenge Accepted: Filling the Big Data Void in Aquatics show art Challenge Accepted: Filling the Big Data Void in Aquatics

Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide

Nicole's heavy lift. A vision for data collection for swimming instruction. Nicole Fairfield explains why the aquatic education field lacks solid research data and how her Joyful Waters curriculum craved that data. She aims to fill the research gap and is planting seeds for scientific validation for all types of aquatic developmental benchmarks. She also outlines the vision for a secure, comprehensive database to track developmental and adaptive outcomes. In this episode, #76, of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, you’ll hear from the ambitious instructor in Georgia and learn: Why current...

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This Polo Coach Cracked the Code to Athlete Growth (No Pool Needed) show art This Polo Coach Cracked the Code to Athlete Growth (No Pool Needed)

Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide

The 30-Day System That’s Transforming Young Athletes – Here’s How “Everyone says hard work is the key… but what if that’s not enough? In this episode, we unpack a 30-day system that’s turning water polo players into unstoppable athletes — and it might just change how you train forever.” In this episode of Heavy Or Not, we dive deep into Coach Ron Usher’s 30-day growth system built for young water polo players but powerful for any athlete striving to improve. From mindset to skill development to daily habits, this episode unpacks the core principles behind real...

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400 IM - How Phelps and Marchand set records and insights from India's Coach Partha. Negative SPLIT show art 400 IM - How Phelps and Marchand set records and insights from India's Coach Partha. Negative SPLIT

Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide

Unlock the secrets behind mastering the 400 IM with elite coach from India, Partha Pratim Majumdar. Learn the strategic, aerobic, and mental tools that power world‑record swims like Phelps and Marchand. In this video you’ll discover: Why the 400 IM is a strategic race, not just brute strength nor conditioning, and how the “lactate penalty” impacts performance. How to build a massive aerobic engine by focusing on long‑axis strokes (freestyle & backstroke). The “200‑meter rule” and why mastering each 200 -meter stroke guarantees a smoother 400 IM. Training methods...

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Rich Coach or Poor Coach -- Get a Learn To Swim Lesson Program and UCANSwim.org can help show art Rich Coach or Poor Coach -- Get a Learn To Swim Lesson Program and UCANSwim.org can help

Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide

“From Drowning Stats to Million‑Dollar Swim Schools: How Coaches Turn Pools into Profit (and Safety)‑First Empires” Swim Coaches Can Earn Six Figures by Adding Structured Lesson Sessions The Australian Success Secret: Integrated Lesson Programs Drive Performance and Profit In this episode, Steve Friederang breaks down why every swim coach should run a lesson program—and how it can become a serious revenue stream while boosting safety and recruitment.  He shares real‑world numbers, proven strategies, and the pitfalls to watch out for. Why lesson programs are essential for...

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Negotiated Surrender - Vote‑of‑No‑Confidence for the Head Coach Highlights Team's end-of-season Banquet show art Negotiated Surrender - Vote‑of‑No‑Confidence for the Head Coach Highlights Team's end-of-season Banquet

Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide

Safety Dilemma and League Issues. Have mercy on the Foxes as they are sly! In episode #72 of Heavy or Not we break down the bizarre “vote‑of‑no‑confidence” resignation tactic of a Fox Chapel Area high‑school coach and its athletic department. Sure, there is a deeper safety and fairness crisis driving it. Plus, I’m certain some wire pullers are lurking like sly foxes do. We also explore the district’s league‑restructuring proposal and why athletic reform matters now more than ever. What you’ll learn: How a coach’s “negotiated surrender” forces parents to vote on his...

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How Insurance Gaps and Governance Failures Threaten Swim Coaches' Careers show art How Insurance Gaps and Governance Failures Threaten Swim Coaches' Careers

Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide

How Insurance Gaps and Governance Failures Threaten Swim Coaches' Careers Uninsured. Unheard. Undervalued. Real challenges facing swim coaches are pondered. Why they’re left out of the decision‑making table, the insurance maze, and what’s needed to keep the sport of swimming (and others) thriving. Coach Barry Healey, BC, Canada, and Mark Rauterkus, International Swim Coaches Association in the USA, break down the roadblocks and propose concrete steps. Why coaches aren’t at the table with health and policy makers. The tangled insurance landscape (LEI, Lloyd’s, Marker, SwimBC,...

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Swimming's Geo Political $.02 - Tiny snip of a conversation with Jonty, Dennis and Mark show art Swimming's Geo Political $.02 - Tiny snip of a conversation with Jonty, Dennis and Mark

Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide

Take a peek at Coach Jonty’s holistic approach to athlete development and the geopolitical factors shaping swimming. This clip highlights a few insights from Jonty Skinner’s recent WAFSU seminar. In this video you’ll learn: How Coach Jonty connects with kids and leverages holistic development. The genetic and regional patterns that produce world‑class runners and swimmers. South Africa’s historical impact on elite athletics and its modern swimming scene. Emerging swimming talent from Tunisia and broader African nations. Where to watch the full two‑hour seminar on...

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Christmas Break Just Got Lit - AI generated anthem to launch your holiday training with serious vibes. (#Plan Now) show art Christmas Break Just Got Lit - AI generated anthem to launch your holiday training with serious vibes. (#Plan Now)

Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide

The Swim Team Song You Didn’t Know You Needed An AI Made This Swim Team Song You won’t believe what happens when AI writes a holiday anthem for swim teams heading into Christmas break! Christmas Break Planning Happens NOW. Swimmers, this one’s for YOU. Episode #68 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide drops a brand new AI-generated song to launch your holiday training with serious vibes! This AI-generated track is about to become your new favorite swim team anthem for winter break. Okay, we let AI take over the studio. Do you have room on your holiday training playlist, for travels, for...

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Hire Coach Terry Smith, says a PSU fan, because ... (Know your why) Heavy Or Not, #67 show art Hire Coach Terry Smith, says a PSU fan, because ... (Know your why) Heavy Or Not, #67

Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide

Matt made signs and took them to the recent games and sent a letter to the President of Penn State University to support Terry Smith. It seems like you are under a lot of pressure to deliver a national championship. You may not remember me, but we met briefly in the Marriott lobby the day before the Rose Bowl. You were kind enough to record a quick, encouraging message for my friend’s wife while she was battling cancer. That moment stayed with me—and with my friend—for a very long time. That video meant more to their family than you could ever know. From a fan of over 30 years who...

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More Episodes

We have a 13th episode.

We were blessed and fortunate and made a trip to Equator and the Galapagos Islands – and our ship, the Isabella II, had no cabin #13. Stay tuned for some housekeeping on past and future content – after we hear some epic content from an O.G. – Wayne Goldsmith.

The essence of coaching is an art and its roots are in changes. People of sports are change makers. The heavy part of sports and coaching is emphasizing that it's not just about the technical aspects like volume, intensity, and frequency. Sports and coaching is about inspiring athletes through emotional connections. Anyone can access workout content. The true difference between a good coach and an exceptional one lies in the intent behind the coaching. Let's focus on building relationships among athletes and people of sport. Leaders and coaches are great at inspiring people to make choices that elevate their performance.

Let’s take a look at the first dozen jump cuts for Heavy Or Not. Allow a moment for clarification and housekeeping.

I’m Mark Rauterkus, long-time journeyman coach, publisher and advocate in Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Jump Cuts are not SHOW episodes. The long-term destiny for Heavy Or Not is as a SHOW with a production team and broadcast quality episodes. The show treatment is published at U CAN Swim. Org / heavy-or-not. If those in Hollywood or at ESPN or Disney are interest – give me a call.

These jump cuts are delivered with a number, more like a lap in our journey of life. Another aim of the jump cuts is to find our voice, use the tools and AI and engage with our aquatic community.

Subscribe. Review. Refer to others. Heavy Or Not is now available on all podcast outlets.

Do wade into the archives of these timeless and evergreen bits of wisdom.

  • Jump Cut #01 covered the mindset for an athlete.
  • #02 was more technical with swim drills and kicking
  • #03 peeked into AI in sports
  • #04 went hyper-local into aquatics in Pittsburgh Public Schools
  • #05 covered Maglischo’s and Daylands intel gathering in Europe
  • #06 made us think about mentors and work and play
  • #07 asked about lifting and what ages to starting
  • #08 was a recap from Steve’s Competitive Swimmer Magazine
  • #09 peeked into the ebook, Readings from the Book of Coach Mark
  • #10 was a beat down on the 20-minute film, A Swim Lesson.
  • #11 introduced Barry Healey from BC – much more with him is upcoming.
  • #12 covered supplements
  • #13 – OG Wayne Goldsmith, always a source of wisdom.
  • The next jump cut #14 presents a mind journey.

A recent panel discussion from big-time coaches at the Eastern States Clinic is worth listening in a future LAP.

Considering what Wayne Goldsmith preached as the technical aspects: Volume, Intensity and Frequency. These jump cuts for Heavy Or Not could strive for a daily frequency – but that would cause burnout. That’s a golden rule of mine – Don’t Burn Out. Live to fight another day. We have enough content to make this daily, but then nothing else would get done with those other looming, big projects.

So, expect Heavy Or Not to drop two times a week, on Mondays and Thursday, moving into the future.

We’ll also be turning up the intensity with IT solutions. Our digital world in swimming and sports is pretty wacked. I’m not happy with the tools we have throughout our shared landscape. We’re going to bring new solutions to the marketplace and we’ll talk about them here, within these jump cuts. You, your teams, your schools and your athletes are going to want to say in the loop.

Just hours ago I got some great news from an O.G. that all of your you should know, 

Doctor Ernie Maglischo. He is a member of the ISCA Hall of Fame – and he has been one of our greatest authors. Well, he just re-wrote and delivered[to me a whole new section, fully updated on PROPULSION.

Wow. We will bring that out as soon as possible.

The next huge upcoming event is the release of a set of books from Sport Psychologist from Canada, John Hogg. 

His Mental Skills for Young Athletes is a universal book for all youngsters. Furthermore, he has specific books geared to those of different age groups for swimming.

Have you seen or heard the other ISCA supported podcast from Summer Fink called Lane One? 

She talks with coach and dad, Joe Finke and another episode is with Mark Berandino.

The interactive parts of Heavy Or Not are coming soon. 

Think about what you’d like to share.

Clinics.

The Eastern States Clinic in the Philly area, Central States Clinic in Chicago-land and the International Swimming Hall of Fame Clinics in Fort Lauderdale have had a change of ownership, again. Sue Davis, long time coach at Swarthmore, retired, was a cornerstone of those events for decades along with others – such as Peter Dayland. Mark Schubert has partial ownership – and recently, other fractional owners of Doug Fonder and Brad Glenn have departed and Coach Schubert has picked up ASCA, the American Swim Coaches Association as a partner. More on clinics and from clinics are sure to be woven into future jump cuts.

A three part series for starting and coaching water polo, geared especially to swim coaches, is coming with the seminars of WAFSU.org – World Aquatic Federation of Schools & Universities. See W-A-F-S-U dot Org.

Dozens of past seminars are in the WAFSU.org LMS already.

Parting question.

  • What other podcasts do you listen too? 

In our family, we’re sad to hear of the termination of the ABC / Disney pod, 538. 

Personally, I was also sad to miss the big high school swim meet in my backyard – the WPIAL Swimming Championship – District 7 of the PIAA. I had been lucky to serve as the color broadcaster in past seasons.

  • How did Westmorland Sports Network do? 

The NFHS Network has been gobbling up the rights to high school meets. So, next question.

  • How is the NFHS doing with the promotion of high school swimming and diving (as well as other sports) in your neck of the woods?

Chime in.