Steps along the pathway for a coach's wellness journey

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 swimmers and easing parental stress on race day.

• How a simple “whistle‑and‑wait” routine cuts chaos and keeps kids on schedule.

• Designing bite‑sized, interactive coach training that fits busy lives.

• Using the LAP (Lifestyle Aquatics Programming) platform to turn swimmers into repeat, paying customers

Discussion Questions – “The Realities of Coaching & Growing a Swim Program”

1. What are the biggest hidden costs (time, emotional, financial) that coaches like Barry experience, and how can clubs help mitigate them?

2. Barry mentions that many coaches feel “stubborn” and resistant to change. What strategies could a swim program use to foster a culture of openness and continuous improvement among staff?

3. How does the lack of a formal support system (e.g., a “chaperone” or mental‑health resource) affect coaches, athletes, and parents, and what low‑cost solutions could fill that gap?

4. The story about the senior referee orchestrating a calm “first‑year” session demonstrates a simple yet powerful intervention. What other “small‑scale” practices could be replicated to reduce stress for young swimmers and their families?

5. Barry talks about coaches being sued for either bullying or “lack of attention.” How can a swim club create clear policies and documentation that protect both coaches and athletes while still encouraging a supportive environment?

6. In what ways do mandatory requirements (CRB checks, first‑aid certification, etc.) serve as a quality‑control model for swim programs, and how might those standards be leveraged to market the program to parents?

7. The conversation touches on the need to break down online courses into bite‑size chunks for busy coaches. What are the most effective formats (micro‑learning, webinars, interactive PDFs, etc.) for delivering professional development in this context?

8. How can swim programs balance the tension between keeping fees affordable and maintaining high‑quality, “must‑have” resources that justify a premium price point?

9. Barry and Mark discuss the importance of “win‑win” outcomes for both coaches and the organization. What specific metrics or feedback loops could be implemented to measure and reinforce these mutually beneficial results?

10. Considering the moderator’s “playbook” (capture swimmers → generate leads → convert → get reviews → reactivate), what role should community building and storytelling play in each stage, and how can clubs authentically integrate them into daily operations?