Head Swim Coach Kile Zeller, launching new NCAA M&W D2 squads at UPJ - Open for Opportunities
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Release Date: 11/27/2025
Unconditional Love and Guidance: A Parent’s Role in Shaping Young Athletes
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
The Power of Partnership: Parents, Coaches, and Swimmers Working Together for Success The Power‑Play of Parenting: Why Unconditional Love Beats All the Swim Drills “When a swimmer knows they’re loved no matter the time on the clock, the pool turns from a battlefield into a playground, and performance follows.” In episode #100, the end of season 2 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, we turn to a master, Wayne Goldsmith. His statement is the best advice ever delivered to any athletic family. He breaks down the essential partnership among athletes, coaches, and...
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From Perfection to Excellence: How Coaches Inspire Daily Improvement and Belonging
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, episode #99 “Perfection breeds fear. Excellence is just showing up a little better than you did yesterday—because impossible isn’t a word in our world; ‘I.M. possible’ is.” Coach Pierre Lafontaine breaks down why daily wins, energy, and purposeful environments matter more than perfect facilities. Learn how to spark real progress in swimmers, no matter the pool size. You’ll discover: The power of creating daily, measurable wins for every athlete. How coach energy and presence shape a winning culture. Why “better...
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Building a Culture of Trust and Clear Accountability with Krista Hawkins, former PAWW swimmer
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Truth About Leadership & Why Collaboration Beats a Lone Wolf Mentality In Heavy or Not, The OG Swim Guide, episode #98, we’re blessed to pick up a few flash-back comments as well as present leadership insights from a former competitive swimmer who makes us all proud. Way to go Krista! Scott Grates sits down with performance coach, Krista Hawkins, to cover leadership truths, accountability systems, and the importance of holistic self‑care. Her athletic background and the coaching perspectives apply to everyone — from the wee swimmers to CEOs. Krista explains the important...
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From Shy Student to Swimmer to Executive Coach: How Coaches Build Unshakable Mental Resilience
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Krista and our PAWW Swim Team - flashback with AI In episode #97 of the podcast, Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, we rejoice in the discovery and shout out of another podcast. Years ago, Krista’s journey to the PAWW swim team went from a terrified 12‑year‑old student, to age-group swimmer, to Division I athletes to today’s high‑level executive advisor. Come along for the ride and enjoy the flashback with coaching tactics and a story debrief with aid from Notebook AI. Krista’s growth to and confidence happened, in part, on the team — with Head Coach, Mark Rauterkus. The...
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Transform our new book into Custom Practice Plans in Seconds with the New Coaching Tool
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Coach’s Secret Weapon: Quick, Privacy‑First Lesson Plans Tailored to Sport, Age, and Time Break the Closed‑Loop Coaching Hierarchy with Independent Oversight and Transparent Performance Structure In episode #96 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, you’ll get a quick introduction to the brand‑new mental‑skills resource for parents, teachers and youth coaches. The lesson generator is a free website that support the book, Mental Skills for Young Athletes. Get the quick how‑to on turning a book into ready‑made practice plans and learn why structural safeguarding...
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Preview - Public Policy Playbook for Aquatics and Recreation
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Coming soon!
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Building a Winning Team Culture: Lessons from Elite International Coach, Harkai Hunor
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Pillars of Team Success: Consistency, Trust, Adaptability, and Coach Leadership Episode #94 of Heavy or Not, we hear from elite coach Harkai Hunor’s playbook for building a winning team culture. Learn the concrete steps you can apply to any sport or organization today. What you’ll learn: The seven non‑negotiable pillars of on‑court discipline and consistency. Why off‑court community building is as crucial as X’s and O’s. Quick‑win tactics for gaining player trust and boosting performance. How to adapt coaching philosophy to players, leagues, and local culture. The...
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Join the Lifeguard Movement: Protect Communities, Oceans, Lakes, Rivers and Swim Pools
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Lifeguard Recruiting Campaign: Serve, Train, and Inspire While Safeguarding Water Activities Nationwide Check out the lifeguard recruiting film and the behind‑the‑scenes work that keeps our waters safe, and a bonus fortune insight. We also share a visual preview of the ISCA Senior Cup teams. This episode, #93, is very visual. Those with an audio only feed are missing out on the graphics of the short film and the logos of the teams. What it really takes to be a lifeguard – training, skills, and purpose How to apply through your local lifeguard agency (USLA & Ben Carlson Memorial...
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Water: Drowning Prevention Strategies: Community Action, Grants, and Lifesaving Swim Programs
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Education, Safety Barriers, and Collaborative Funding Initiatives From Grants to Lifeguards: Building a Safer Water Environment for All Ages Reducing Drowning Risks: Parents, Schools, and Policy Working Together for Water Safety In episode #92, we break down the stark reality of drowning worldwide and explore practical steps to keep kids and communities safe around water. We also discuss emerging grant opportunities in Florida and how local leaders can turn them into sustainable swimming programs. Listen in as Barry and Mark aim to make an impact around the water. Eye‑opening drowning...
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Urgency, Authority, Call to Action w Marshall & Hall of Fame
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Last Splash and Exit of Women Swim and Dive Team at Marshall University, episode #91 Open, Closing, Exit and Calls to Action for WPIAL Swimmers, Broadcasters and the ISCA Hall of Fame Tribute They CUT Women’s Swimming and Diving at Marshall University just as the team was departing for its conference meet. Ugh squared. Nobody is explaining the Title IX confusion. In this episode, I break down what’s really happening, how you can take action, and why this affects every program in the country. Swim Community: Your urgent steps are necessary on various fronts. If you care about swimming,...
info_outlineLife at University of Pittsburgh Johnstown: Campus Beauty, Close‑Knit Community, and Opportunities for Athletes
Get a behind‑the‑scenes look at Coach Kyle Zeller’s first year building a D‑II men's & women’s swim program at UPJ— from historic PSAC meet wins to the next‑gen recruiting playbook. Watch how he turns a modest pool into a squad where the person comes first. He is keeping student‑athletes front of mind.
What’s Covered:
- Building a competitive PSAC program and historic meet qualification
- Recruiting tactics: internal talent, high‑school stars & value propositions
- Marketing & outreach: podcasts, local media, coach networking
- Campus & facility snapshot: 25‑yard pool, Appalachian views, small‑school perks
- Break‑time training, student‑athlete balance & growth roadmap for 2026 / 2027
Some mentions in this, part one of three, episode, #64 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide:
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The PSAC is fast – our UPJ swimmers just made history with our first PSAC qualifier, Mark DePalma, who smashed the cut by two seconds.
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Recruiting started late April 2025, but we’ve already secured the valedictorian of Marion Center High, a 4.8‑GPA swimmer, as our inaugural college recruit.
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We’re promoting the men’s and women’s teams across PA, hitting high‑school meets, club events, and even a Fox 8 interview to spread the word.
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Our facility is a basic six‑lane, 25‑yard pool with stunning Appalachian Mountain views, fresh tiling, and a million‑dollar recent renovation.
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Campus life: 729 acres of woods, ski‑chalet dorms, top engineering and nursing programs, and a close‑knit community where the AD knows every student’s name.