Free: Coaching, NIL, and the Real Meaning of Growth

Episode 47 – Free: Coaching, NIL, and the Real Meaning of Growth
Podcast: Heavy Or Not – The OG Swim Guide
Presented by ISCA & U Can Swim

In this episode, we take a wide-angle view of the word "free"—through the lens of coaching, NIL decisions, and athlete development.

We begin with insights from Coach Nick Saban on recruiting and the dangers of chasing money over long-term development. Saban reminds us: when pro teams call about a player, they don’t ask how much he played as a freshman—they ask, “What kind of person is he?” Character, leadership, trustworthiness. That’s what matters most. Coaches: build value in all those areas.

We also highlight NIL.LO.org—a place for coaches, athletes, and educators to explore and discuss NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness). It’s a valuable resource, and we invite you to get involved.

Then we shift into the deeper meanings of “free.” Yes, the podcast is free to listen, share, and discuss. But “free” also reflects how we coach, what we teach, and how we grow.

Remember freeteam.org? That was about free and open-source software—code you can read, remix, and reuse. That spirit of freedom lives on in how we train and teach. But not all “free” is helpful. At swim camps, we phased out the term “free time” because too often it led to boredom and passive downtime. We prefer structured play, learning, and meaningful recovery.

The main feature of this episode is a look at How to Be Free by Shaka Senghor. Shaka is a resilience expert and bestselling author who knows what it means to overcome barriers. He brings his experience—from prison to the page—and offers lessons coaches can use with athletes.

One story: a Porsche driving instructor covers the rearview mirror and says, “Look where you want to go, not at what you’re afraid of.” That simple mental shift—looking ahead, not back—is key for athletes recovering from setbacks, injuries, or failure. Don’t live in the past. Learn from it, then move forward.

Another moment: Senghor recalls snorkeling in Maui, panicking from saltwater in his snorkel, then deliberately calming himself. That kind of physiological control—breathing, resetting—is critical in sport. Coaches can teach it. Make it a habit.

We discuss resilience—the kind forged by adversity. Senghor shares how Derek Redmond finished an Olympic race with a torn hamstring, leaning on his father. And how Shaka, while incarcerated, transformed his physical strength from nothing to 455-pound deadlifts. All of it required mental strength first.

We also explore Senghor’s self-belief formula, even if the acronym is a little rough:
S.H.I.T. = Success, Hustle, Intelligence, Talent.
It’s about owning your growth—celebrating small wins, learning from losses, recognizing your worth. Coaches can use this framework to help athletes build internal validation, not just chase external praise.

Whether you're a coach, educator, or athlete, How to Be Free is more than a book title—it’s a coaching framework. It’s about shifting perspectives, building resilience, teaching composure, and unlocking human potential.

Referenced Book:
How to Be Free by Shaka Senghor
ISBN: 9798893310511 | Releases September 9, 2025

More at SwimISCA.org and NIL.CLOH.org
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A final jump-cut segment is from a swim school owner and author from Cape Town, South Africa, Kathryn Nurse of fundamentalswimming.com.

She bases her swim education on teaching principles to stroke development. 

Their method focuses on understanding concepts, breaking down movements, and teaching with purpose—on land and in water. They use mirrors, structure, and education techniques to develop skills from age 5 through adults. More from her in the near future.