Saturday, August 09, 2025

Friday, August 08, 2025

Dr. Tom's App - From Classroom to Phone: How a Real‑Life Avatar App Saves Lives in Pools


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 data.

  • How the app supports drowning prevention and where to download it today.

Many in the USA Swimming Community are in a funk as the CEO post remains vacant and results from the 2025 World Swim Championships were less than ideal.

Michael, Ryan, Rowdy and others are sounding off.

  • This begs the question, Heavy Or Not?

Jump cut #48 begins with a visit with Dr. Tom Griffiths, retired professor from Penn State University, founder of the firm, Aquatic Safety Research Group.

Check out their app!

Turning Drowning Prevention into a Game: Eight Scenarios Teach Quick Victim Recognition


See:

https://drtomslifeguardvision.com/

https://aquaticsafetygroup.com/


Check out this episode!

Monday, August 04, 2025

Free: Coaching, NIL, and the Real Meaning of Growth


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 what matters most. Coaches: build value in all those areas.

We also highlight NIL.LO.org—a place for coaches, athletes, and educators to explore and discuss NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness). It’s a valuable resource, and we invite you to get involved.

Then we shift into the deeper meanings of “free.” Yes, the podcast is free to listen, share, and discuss. But “free” also reflects how we coach, what we teach, and how we grow.

Remember freeteam.org? That was about free and open-source software—code you can read, remix, and reuse. That spirit of freedom lives on in how we train and teach. But not all “free” is helpful. At swim camps, we phased out the term “free time” because too often it led to boredom and passive downtime. We prefer structured play, learning, and meaningful recovery.

The main feature of this episode is a look at How to Be Free by Shaka Senghor. Shaka is a resilience expert and bestselling author who knows what it means to overcome barriers. He brings his experience—from prison to the page—and offers lessons coaches can use with athletes.

One story: a Porsche driving instructor covers the rearview mirror and says, “Look where you want to go, not at what you’re afraid of.” That simple mental shift—looking ahead, not back—is key for athletes recovering from setbacks, injuries, or failure. Don’t live in the past. Learn from it, then move forward.

Another moment: Senghor recalls snorkeling in Maui, panicking from saltwater in his snorkel, then deliberately calming himself. That kind of physiological control—breathing, resetting—is critical in sport. Coaches can teach it. Make it a habit.

We discuss resilience—the kind forged by adversity. Senghor shares how Derek Redmond finished an Olympic race with a torn hamstring, leaning on his father. And how Shaka, while incarcerated, transformed his physical strength from nothing to 455-pound deadlifts. All of it required mental strength first.

We also explore Senghor’s self-belief formula, even if the acronym is a little rough:
S.H.I.T. = Success, Hustle, Intelligence, Talent.
It’s about owning your growth—celebrating small wins, learning from losses, recognizing your worth. Coaches can use this framework to help athletes build internal validation, not just chase external praise.

We wrap with a bonus segment from a Cape Town-based swim educator who applies teaching principles to stroke development. Their method focuses on understanding concepts, breaking down movements, and teaching with purpose—on land and in water. They use mirrors, structure, and education techniques to develop skills from age 5 through adults.

Whether you're a coach, educator, or athlete, How to Be Free is more than a book title—it’s a coaching framework. It’s about shifting perspectives, building resilience, teaching composure, and unlocking human potential.

Referenced Book:
How to Be Free by Shaka Senghor
ISBN: 9798893310511 | Releases September 9, 2025

More at SwimISCA.org and NIL.LO.org
Share this episode. Subscribe. And bring your wisdom to the next conversation.


Check out this episode!

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

No shoe repair here, but goto Sycamore Street instead

Our home and office used to be a shoe repair place. Mr. Gursky ran the business and lived upstairs with his wife. 
They were gone by 1988 or so. 

But to this day, Google has refused to change the business name and address. 

Go figure.

Yesterday a women called. We talked and she said that the South Hills Tailoring and Cleaning on West Sycamore Street in Mount Washington does have a shoe service that they sub-contract with. So they send the shoes out for repair. 

209 W Sycamore St, Pittsburgh, PA 15211

412-481-2128