Navigating Aquatics with Mark Rauterkus: Water Polo, AI Tools, and Community Coaching Strategies
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
Release Date: 09/19/2025
Navigating Aquatics with Mark Rauterkus: Water Polo, AI Tools, and Community Coaching Strategies
Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide
This episode of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, jumps into a podcast from friend and we replay a recent releaseof Navigating Neva. We had a sit down interview with Nicole and Wes -- and myself, Mark Rauterkus. The coach, podcaster, and ISCA contributor comes gushing about and we explore how swimming, water polo, and tech are reshaping aquatics today. We cover: How Mark launched the “Heavy Or Not” podcast and his vision for expanding its reach. Using water polo to keep swimmers engaged and create a pipeline for lifelong aquatic participation. Mark’s diverse coaching...
info_outline
#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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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....
info_outline
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...
info_outlineThis episode of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, jumps into a podcast from friend and we replay a recent releaseof Navigating Neva. We had a sit down interview with Nicole and Wes -- and myself, Mark Rauterkus. The coach, podcaster, and ISCA contributor comes gushing about and we explore how swimming, water polo, and tech are reshaping aquatics today.
We cover:
- How Mark launched the “Heavy Or Not” podcast and his vision for expanding its reach.
- Using water polo to keep swimmers engaged and create a pipeline for lifelong aquatic participation.
- Mark’s diverse coaching background—from high‑school and college pools to community programs and the Pittsburgh Public Schools “Summer Dreamers.”
- The role of the International Swim Coaches Association (ISCA) in hosting meets, providing education, and upcoming AI‑driven tools.
- Practical AI & CRM solutions that streamline pool operations, sponsor outreach, and coach‑parent communications.