Preview - Public Policy Playbook for Aquatics and Recreation
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Release Date: 03/27/2026
I‑League Blueprint: Expanding Swim Teams, Lifeguard Training, and Water Polo in Western Pennsylvania
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Transforming Pennsylvania High School Swimming: The I‑League Inclusion is explained in depth in the Playbook so that any interested student can have a swim team experience. Coach Mark Rauterkus breaks down the I‑League, a new plan to bring swimming to every high school in Western Pennsylvania. He explains why it matters, how it works, and how you can get involved. The current gap: Half of WPIAL schools have no swim teams or aquatic programs. I‑League solution: Year‑round swimming, lifeguard training, water polo, triathlon and open‑water options for all students. Dual...
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Episode #116: Free Community Aquatics Directive Offers a Framework for Pool Transformation and Funding Success
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Most communities already have more aquatic capacity than they realize. They have pools, schools, coaches, instructors, recreation departments, and community organizations. The opportunity is to connect these assets and put them to work. In Episode #116 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, Coach Mark Rauterkus introduces The Community Aquatics Directive, a practical playbook co-authored with Coach Ron Usher, inventor of OtterBall. The book presents ten pillars for transforming underused swimming pools into thriving community assets. The episode explores drowning prevention, learn-to-swim...
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Launch & Gifting Coach Mark’s Public Policy Playbook: Aquatics and Recreation 4 Yinzers
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Coach Mark Rauterkus announces the launch of the new book's arrival: “Public Policy Playbook for Pittsburgh Aquatics & Recreation – Yinzer Edition.” Co-author is Ron Usher. Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, episode #115 hits current events and then a view into the first book of 2026, Mental Skills for Young Athletes and how that can fit into your sports programs and teams. See the reveal on how to get a free PDF, and let's discuss key strategies to improve city recreation, arts, and youth mental health. You’ll also hear Mayor Corey O’Connor weigh in on new rec‑center...
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Navigating Federal and Provincial Sport Funding: Barry Healy’s Fight for Local Recreation in BC, Canada - sorta like PPS needs
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Barry is pushing for a group to form to consider local recreational needs in Salmon Arm, BC, Canada and has called for a meeting on October 1 at the local university. In a similar front, but different setting, Mark Rauterkus, is pushing the reformation of the Athletic Reform Task Force in Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Follow along as these stories unfold. None of us know what to expect and what happens next. In episode #114 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, we launch a new Substack too, 1Shuswap.Substack.com and give a boost to Barry Healey's efforts in BC, Canada. We discuss...
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ISCA Hall of Fame Tribute video for IU's Ray Looze
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
ISCA Coaches Hall of Fame honored Ray Looze, Indiana University, in the class of 2026. Episode #113 show the tribute video.
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ISCA Hall Of Fame Tribute -- Heavy Or Not, episode #112 -- Matt Kredich of Univ of Tennessee
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
The episode, #112, is a ISCA Hall of Fame tribute built around Matt Kredich, Tennessee swimming, team culture and an ISCA interview segment.
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#111 - Doug Cornish on the Swimming Coach Crisis: Why Passion No Longer Pays the Bills
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Coaching Without Security: The Hidden Costs Driving Talent Away from Pools In episode #111 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, we do a video refresh with an interview conducted with Doug Cornish. His ground-breaking survey exposes many of the hidden cracks threatening swim coaches today. We begin to unpack and reveal why the sport’s “passion‑first” model is no longer sustainable. Doug comes to the discussion with hard data that shine a light on the underlying causes, and he has concrete steps clubs must take to keep good coaches on the deck. Survey results: 38% of coaches lack a...
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Digital Swimming Passport: Valentin Milkov and Zlix - episode #110
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
“What if a 6‑year‑old could upload a quick clip of a 10‑meter freestyle, and an AI instantly replies, ‘You passed!’—issuing a shiny, blockchain‑ready certificate that parents, coaches, and sponsors can see in real time? Welcome to Zlix, the free‑forever swim‑passport that’s turning splash‑offs into badge‑holders.” In episode #110 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, Valentin Milkov shares the story behind Zlix, an AI‑powered verification tool for beginner swimmers. Hear how it works. He also discusses the platform’s free‑forever model, certification...
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Shitty Best: Redefining Athletic Failure with Unconditional Self‑Acceptance and Neural Science
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Part 2 of Shitty Best, a book recap by Pavel Samov, Ph.D. in episode #109 of Heavy Or Not The Coach’s Guide to Accountability, Responsibility, and Compassion in High‑Stakes Sports In this episode, #109 of Heavy Or Not, part 2, with insights into Dr. Pavel Somov’s “Shitty Best” framework, showing why athletes miss the mark and how coaches can turn those misses into growth. Learn how unconditional self‑acceptance can coexist with high standards and real accountability. The myth of the “unified self” and why akrasia isn’t just weak will How competing neural coalitions...
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Shitty Best Explained: How Known, Unknown, and Unknowable Variables Shape Performance (part 1)
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Meet the work of my friend, with his book, Shitty Best. Come and get acquainted with Dr. Pavel Somov’s game‑changing ideas from Shitty Best — the logic behind unconditional self‑acceptance and radical compassion for athletes and coaches. Discover why embracing an athlete’s “moment‑specific shitty best” can be your competitive edge. In Heavy Or Not, episode #108, you’ll learn: How the “shitty best” concept reframes perfection and mistakes in high‑stakes sports. The three categories of performance variables: knowns, unknowns, and unknowables. Why the “I am...
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