Riding the Waves of Mentorship: Coaching, Culture & Weathering the Storm
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Release Date: 05/16/2025
#52 - Must hear stories of a Football QB, Fall Baseball and first words from the new CEO at USA Swimming
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
It is a great time to be alive and there are some cliff hangers within! David, a devoted athlete turned Doctor and researcher is deploying AI in off-brand discoveries. This is a peek at a MUST HEAR podcast from another source, . Experience a flashback to tracks from a campaign CD with a fall baseball story from Meg Barnhouse. It is chilly and dark under the lights and parents are watching. In the final segment, new USA Swimming CEO issued his first statement that lost me on the "one of" part. May the wind be at his back. Show pointer: A quarterback’s love of football...
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Sports Reform: Unraveling Canada’s Fragmented Sports System: Funding, Governance, and the Push for Safe Sport
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
From Broken Networks to Unified Protection: Reforming Canada’s Sport Landscape for All Participants In this episode of Heavy or Not – Season 2 - #51 we report on Canada’s fragmented sports system, its chronic funding gaps, and why safe sport is now the top priority. We also examine the current complaint mechanisms and explore concrete proposals for a unified, safer future. How Canada’s multi‑layered sport governance (federal, provincial, NSOs, CSOs) creates funding and safety challenges. The link between chronic under‑funding, the “Own the Podium” model, and rising...
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Capstone to Season 1 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide (podcast with folk songs)
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Season 1 of Heavy Or Not proves that swimming isn’t just about laps; it’s a dynamic ecosystem where mindset, technology, community and history intertwine. By applying these 50 lessons / episodes / jump-cuts about training the brain, fine‑tuning the kick, welcoming AI, building inclusive programs, and defending our pools, you’ll elevate not only your athletes’ performance but also the entire swimming culture around you. So the next time you’re planning a practice, remember: every stroke, every supplement, and every conversation can be a step toward a stronger, smarter, and...
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Called Out: The USA Swimming Leadership Bubble with Demands for Transparent Reform from Michael Phelps and Gold Medal Mel (SwimSwam's Mel Stewart)
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Reforming USA Swimming: A Blueprint for Transparency, Athlete Services, and Grassroots Growth In episode #49 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, we amplify and break down the growing, explosive, criticism of USA Swimming from Michael Phelps and SwimSwam publisher, Mel Stewart. They, among many others, are exposing a leadership crisis that threatens the sport’s future. Phelps points to the steep drop in U.S. Olympic medal share (57% → 44%) and blames weak board governance. He presents a coalition‑backed, three‑step reform plan: independent board review, athlete‑first...
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Dr. Tom's App - From Classroom to Phone: How a Real‑Life Avatar App Saves Lives in Pools
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Discover how Dr. Tom Griffiths turned an eight‑year quest into a free, lifeguard‑training app that simulates real drowning scenarios. Learn why it’s a game‑changer for both everyday swimmers and aquatic facilities. In this jump-cut of Heavy Or Not, #48, you’ll see: The eight‑year development timeline, funding, and partnership challenges. Real‑life‑based simulation scenes that train users to spot victims instantly. Free public access and instant feedback that tracks performance and improvement. A low‑cost subscription option for facilities to monitor lifeguard training...
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Free: Coaching, NIL, and the Real Meaning of Growth
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
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...
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AI in Sports: Bridging the Gap Between Human Intuition and Machine Precision
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
The evolving world of sports coaching hits into AI with our latest jump cut, where technology meets tradition. Discover how AI is reshaping the landscape of swimming and athletic performance. Explore the integration of AI in sports coaching and its impact on performance. Learn about the role of AI in analyzing biomechanics and providing real-time feedback. Understand the balance between human coaching instincts and machine precision. Discover the future of coaching with AI-driven tools and their benefits. Get insights into the latest tech acquisitions in the AI search space, including Apple's...
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Exploring the Emotional and Social Benefits of Wild Swimming in Scotland + Counting Losses and Radio Lab story
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Get a peek at the fascinating world of wild swimming in Scotland and explore some academic research that ponders the unique values and community connections it fosters. Discover how the Act Framework offers a fresh perspective on understanding human-nature interactions. Explore the concept of wild swimming and its cultural ecosystem services. Learn about an Open Water Group of mostly women and its role in valuing nature interactions. Discover the four personas of wild swimmers and their unique community dynamics. Understand the challenges and benefits of wild swimming for women in Scotland....
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Hyper Care and Out of the Woods Story & Pointer to DrownedBaby.org
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
A.I. is On Fire First, a bit of an A.I. success story of a company less than 3 years old, and operated by one founder and a handful of others called Base 44. The company was acquired by WIX for millions. A.I. is hot, and this is proof. Source on the Base 44 acquisition is Nomi, at or of , and . A seldom told Story of Hyperbaric Therapy: A Lifeline for Drowning Victims In this jump cut, #44, we visit an episode of the Tom Woods Show to hear from Will, a show guest there. Will shares the remarkable story of Robert, his son, a young boy who defied the odds after a near-fatal incident. Discover...
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Flooding Emotions, Queen and Worker Bees, Enhanced Games and Supplementing Your Income with Feel Good, Natural Supplements
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, #43 Lots are jamming into this jump cut, as the range of topics spans from the emotional impact of the flash flooding in Texas to the impact of nutrition on bees to the potential benefits of health activators. Explore an intersection of science, health, and personal growth. The fascinating role of diet in determining the fate of queen bees and worker bees. The serious concerns surrounding the Enhanced Games and those anti-doping regulations have teeth worth avoiding. The potential health benefits of NRF2 activators and their impact on oxidative stress. ...
info_outlineHeavy Or Not – The O.G. Swim Guide, Episode #31
“You can prepare for the work, but you can’t always predict the weather.”
In this episode of Heavy Or Not, we explore the real-world parallels between weathering literal storms and facing the emotional and professional trials coaches endure over time. Coaches Jim Lutz and Barry Healy share hard-won lessons from the deck and beyond.
Featured Voices:
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Jim Lutz: Coach, author, and Arizona sunshine philosopher
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Barry Healy: Veteran Canadian coach and lifelong mentor
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Special reference: Dr. John Hogg, sport psychologist and author
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Legacy lens: Insights from Cecil Colwin, author and coach
Highlights from Episode #31:
1. Navigating Life’s Storms
Jim Lutz opens with a sunlit reflection—literally. While others face dark skies and sleet, he frames life’s changing circumstances through the lens of perspective. “The storm is the same for everyone,” he says, “but the way you show up in it… that’s what coaching is.”
2. The Role of Mentorship
Barry Healy dives into how mentorship shaped his decades in the pool and the classroom. His admiration for Dr. John Hogg—especially Hogg’s calm and clarity under pressure—anchors a wider conversation on coach development.
3. Team Culture Is Built, Not Inherited
Both coaches emphasize culture as an intentional, daily act. Whether it's a handshake after practice or informal “fireplace sessions” like those hosted by Cecil Colwin, the rituals matter more than the rules.
4. Mental Health, Balance, and Coaching Today
Today’s coaches are stretched thin. The emotional weight of leading young athletes, managing expectations, and staying grounded is greater than ever. This episode doesn’t shy away from that truth—but it offers hopeful, practical encouragement.
5. The Next Generation Deserves Our Best
Jim and Barry both express a shared purpose: helping the next wave of coaches find clarity sooner. “You don’t have to suffer to be good,” says Barry. “You need guidance, not just grind.”
Mentioned in This Episode
Check out the companion book and course:
Mental Skills for Young Athletes by Dr. John Hogg
https://Read.SwimISCA.org/why/mental-skills-for-young-athletes/
Watch or Listen Now
Final Word
Whether you’re coaching a national team or leading a youth rec league, this conversation will speak to the heart of why you do what you do. It’s about mentorship. It’s about resilience. And it’s about the big picture—beyond medals and swim times.
Subscribe at https://HON.LAP.red and be part of the growing Heavy Or Not coaching and sports-minded community.
Further Resources:
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More episodes: https://WAFSU.org
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ISCA Membership: https://Read.SwimISCA.org
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Send your mascot pics: https://YOUCANswim.wetransfer.com