New Olympic Swim Events for LA28 + Pool Energy & a recap of 2 dozen jump cuts
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Release Date: 04/22/2025
If you’re a new coach, this is your unfair advantage…
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
The path to elite swim coaching isn’t what you think—mentors, conversations, and unspoken rules are more powerful than any degree or software. Episode #84 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide explores truths behind elite swim coaching with insights from a 2023 international survey of 123 top coaches. Discover how these pros actually learn, coach, and use (or ignore) technology. And, we wonder have things changed so much in the past few years. Peer‑to‑peer learning dominates – 89% say conversations with other coaches are their primary knowledge source. Mentorship matters –...
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Athletic Matrix Formulation - From General Prep to Taper
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, episode #86, goes to the realm of a TRACK coach. Much of the planning is similar to swimming and other sports. Unlock the secret behind elite performance: a step‑by‑step guide to building a winning training matrix. Learn how to turn a chaotic schedule into a precise, adaptable roadmap for any athlete. The three‑tier hierarchy: training plan, program, and matrix explained Coach Jose’s 8‑week sprint matrix: phases, intensity, volume, and recovery How to progress workouts safely while boosting performance When and how to adjust the matrix for...
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AI Coaching Wizard: Grant Application for Transforming Youth Swimming into a Community‑Driven Learning Lab
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
See the proposal on the web at Reimagining Pool Coaching: AI Connects, Learns, and Empowers Young Athletes Welcome to episode 85 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, where we reveal a grant proposal to the to build an AI‑powered Coaching Wizard for youth swimming programs. We’ll explain the vision, the tech, the partnership model, the budget, and the roadmap to launch. The core concept: AI as a connector, not a director, to spark reflection and conversation. How the Coaching Wizard works: personalized prompts, voice/text reflections, and 3‑D avatar...
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College Football Is Broken — This Radical Fix Might Save It
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
With chaotic realignments, rigged outcomes, and rising costs — this proposal might present the best hope to save the sport we love. This episode breaks down a bold proposal to reset everything — from the playoff system to who even gets to compete. The NCAA system is broken — and Heavy Or Not, episode #83, lays out the urgent blueprint to fix it. From rigged playoff paths to disappearing rivalries, NCAA Division I football has become less about performance and more about power. In this summary of the reform proposal, we explore a bold new structure: 80 top teams, regional pods,...
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Relegation Revealed: How Promotion Can Revitalize American Sports and College Football
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Relegation & Promotion as part of Sports Reform, especially for NCAA Football D1 Pods In Episode 82 of Heavy or Not, Mark Rauterkus and Barry Healey break down how relegation and promotion work in European soccer and why these concepts could transform American sports. They dive into the mechanics, incentives, and how a U.S. version might look. How parachute payments soften the financial blow for relegated clubs The playoff system that lets teams 3‑6 fight for promotion Real‑world examples: Wolves beating Man U, Canadian owners climbing from the bottom Why a tiered...
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Steps for Fixing NCAA DI Football: Structure Changes Begin by Blowing Up the Conferences. Return to Regional Rivals
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
College football needs a structural reset, and Mark Rauterkus lays out a clear, geography‑first plan for a top‑flight “pod” system. In this episode we break down the proposed 80‑team tier, regional pods, and how promotion and relegation would work. The 80‑team “top tier” built on performance, not brand prestige. Eight regional pods (Gridiron, Trench, Tackle, Pressure, Block, Blitz, Huddle, Grandstand) and their member schools. Promotion/relegation: yearly movement of five teams between the top tier and sub‑tiers. Preserving traditional rivalries and reducing travel through...
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Cal Baptist Cuts Men’s Swim & Dive Team: A Costly Consequence of Division I Ambitions
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
From NAIA Champions to Elimination: The Rise and Fall of CBU Men’s Swimming Coach Steve Friederang Speaks Out on Lost Opportunities for Male Swimmers at CBU The Cal Baptist men’s swim team has been cut, sparking debate over Division I moves, Title IX, and the future of smaller collegiate sports. Hear coach Steve break down what went wrong and why it matters. In this episode you’ll learn: The history of Cal Baptist’s swim program from NAIA champs to Division I. How facility decisions and budgeting errors contributed to the cut. The impact of Title IX and NCAA...
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School Sports Saved -- past position paper turned the tide of massive cuts
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
In episode #79 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, we break down a prior war with the Pittsburgh school‑district’s Superintendent of Schools. She had a proposal to slash $600 K in sports programs and the comprehensive counter‑proposal helped keep those programs alive. It wasn’t a victory, but it wasn’t a defeat. Coach Mark walks through the financial, strategic, and community arguments that turned a budget cut into a reform opportunity. The district’s cut list (high‑school swimming, tennis, golf; middle‑school volleyball, wrestling; all intramurals) and the $600 K savings...
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Level 1 Swim Secrets from Suriname and Coach Yash
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Coach Yash Daryanani shares his Goldwater Sports coaching system, from philosophy to day‑to‑day session management. Learn the core principles that helped him build national teams and clinics. What you’ll learn in this episode, #78 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide: Coaching philosophy: discipline, patience, and individual attention as the foundation for swimmer development. Essential safety & pool‑management practices (pre‑session checks, shadowing, emergency preparedness). Setting clear parent‑coach boundaries and communication rules. Teaching fundamentals for...
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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...
info_outlineIn "Heavy or Not #24," we explore the evolving landscape of swimming and sports leadership. From Olympic changes to community challenges.
- Discussion on the inclusion of 50-meter stroke events in the Olympic program and its implications.
- Insights from Dr. G on the importance of developing an aerobic base for young swimmers.
- Barry Healey's thoughts on sustainable pool management and community impact.
- A recap of the first 24 episodes of "Heavy or Not" and the journey so far.
- Upcoming focus on mental health for student-athletes and its significance beyond the pool.
Join us as we continue to navigate the waters of sports, technology, and community leadership.
Our 24th episode of Heavy or Not!
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The Evolution of Olympic Swimming: Discover the exciting changes coming to the Olympic swim program, including the addition of the 50 fly, 50 back, and 50 breast events. What does this mean for future athletes?
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Building an Aerobic Base: Dr. G shares his expertise on why developing an aerobic base in young swimmers is crucial for long-term success. Spoiler: It’s not just about speed!
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Power and Innovation in Swimming: Barry Healey dives into the power dynamics of swimming and how innovation can transform the sport. Plus, a look at how the UK harnesses power from nature.
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Community and Pool Sustainability: Explore the challenges and solutions for keeping community pools open and accessible. What happens when pools close, and how can we prevent it?
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Mental Health Spotlight: Get a sneak peek into our upcoming episodes focusing on mental health for student-athletes. It’s a conversation that goes beyond the pool.
Fun Fact from the Episode: Did you know that the UK generates power from tidal movements and sea waves? Barry Healey shares this fascinating tidbit while discussing the potential of harnessing power in unexpected ways for aquatic facilities. But, sadly, it doesn’t seem to be a priority. The trend is to close pools.
Connections!
We’re just getting started, and we’re so grateful to have you along for the ride. Whether you’re listening for the first time or have been with us since episode one, your support means the world to us. We hope this episode inspires you to think, laugh, and maybe even rethink how you approach your work, team, and community.
Call to Action: Don’t forget to share your thoughts with us on social media or by replying to this email. We love hearing from you!
Thanks for being part of the aquatic community. Let’s keep moving forward together!