Back In The Trenches

Let me ask this, what’s better, to “show & tell” or to “lead by example”.

I’ve tried both, and I’m switching sides again. Here’s the story:

I quit swimming on April 20th 2012. The 200 Breaststroke final at South African Olympic Trials was my last race and the end of an era of “doing”. I have spent the last 8 years mastering the skill of show & tell. Now I’m itching to start doing again and to lead by example.

Let me explain.

When I hung up my swimsuit 8 years ago, it was because I was ready to move on. Swimming demanded so much of my time and energy in the lead up to the 2012 Olympic Trials. I had nothing left to give. I was grateful for the journey I had been on, but I was done.

No more goggles, no more early mornings in Speedo, no more chlorine.

Swimming gave me a rare experience and taught me life long lessons at a young age. Most people aren’t fortunate enough to find something they are so passionate about at 16. Even fewer lucky enough to get given the opportunity to follow it with all they have. I did. With reckless abandon. And the financial and emotional backing of my family riding the roller coaster with them.

When I quit at 26, I was aware I’d been through an experience that not everyone gets to live through. Wholeheartedly committing to a big, audacious goal. Then living it out like there is no tomorrow.

Young and naive, I was inspired. I wanted to show & tell people how to find their passion and live it out with purpose.

“Show & Tell” Part 1: “Life Coaching”

It was that desire to help people find and live out a purpose with passion that drew me to the idea of “life coaching”.

An endeavor that “failed” about as quickly as it started. This was a great lesson in how straight up “show & tell” does not work.

The thinking behind “life coaching” is sound. Almost all athletes, from Olympians to Weekend Warriors, have coaches. So why don’t the rest of us use a coach in the broader context of our lives?

Why is coaching integral part of the athletic / physical training process but not applied to the way we live?

From experience; training for a race or building a business is far more challenging on your own. It’s much easier when guided by someone with knowledge, perspective and experience.

Show & Tell “life coaching” failed. But the concept of coaching people through life was something that I knew I wanted to do. I just needed a better vehicle.

Show & Tell Part 2: Triathlon & SwimFast

I remember cheering for athletes on the run course at Ironman CDA in 2010 as they worked their way through the marathon.

Despite the very clear and obvious physical suffering, they inspired me. The attitudes, their persistence, their determination and strength was incredible. When you see suffering like you inevitably will between km’s 22 and 35 on the run course of an IM you will question ever wanting to sign up for one (the picture looks nothing like what gets shown on the highlight or promo reel you see on YouTube!).

But I recognized the “why” behind their suffering. I got it.

I had a crazy dream of swimming at an Olympics. These triathletes were living out their crazy dream of finishing an Ironman. Or racing to qualify for a World Champs in Kona. There was something to that passion, and it caught my attention.

During my reflection of the “failed” life coaching endeavor I cast my mind back to that day on the Ironman course. “If there was a group of people I wanted to work with…” I said to myself, “this would be them”.

Enter SwimFast.

At that moment I realized that I already had a vehicle through which I could coach people through life.

Swimming.

It’s the biggest barrier to racing for most triathletes. It’s technical, hard work and almost more mental than physical if you pick it up as an adult. It was the perfect fit. So I started SwimFast & got stuck into teaching, showing and telling.

I developed a system and a process to help guide my athletes through their swimming journey. How to finish their first triathlon swim. How to conquer the 3.8km stretch of water that starts an IM. How to bridge the gap between their bike run standards and their swimming so they could get to a World Champs.

As I developed a relationship with my SwimFast athletes, they began to let me into their world. They allowed me to ask tough questions. They have let me work on challenges outside of the pool and outside of their comfort zone.

They gave me the opportunity to coach them through life. They trusted me to help them live out their crazy dreams. Whether that was getting into Triathlon. Finishing an Ironman or qualifying for a World Champs. We worked on their goals while still “balancing” everything else that comes with being a professional, parent, spouse and friend. And I loved it.

This is why SwimFast has never “scaled up”.

I chose not to develop squad sessions or group training. It’s always been 1-1 and personal. The goal was to keep the close knit relationships. To work with my people as they took on the challenges of life and triathlon.

I wasn’t always up front with my athletes about my mission and vision with coaching. Most have picked up on it, many have embraced it, but the lines have always been blurry.

That hasn’t been comfortable.

In a way, it’s like I invited myself into their worlds. Then tried to help them figure out their lives by showing and telling them what to do.

SwimFast gave me a way to coach triathletes on their journey to a big, audacious goal. It gave me the vehicle to support them as they worked to balance training, performance and everything else in their life.

In many ways it’s been successful but as the business has grown, my happiness hasn’t.

There’s been an uncomfortable period of figuring out why. But with a lot of time to reflect during the Covid 19 lock down, I finally cracked the reason. And it’s why I’m switching sides.

Back In The Trenches

I’ve gotten comfortable. Too content to sit back and direct from the sidelines. For 8 years there’s been too much “show & tell” and not enough “man in the arena”. I’ve lost touch with my ability to lead. I forgotten what grit and confidence feels like. I strayed away from getting my hands and face dirty in the trenches with you.

It feels like I should have had this figured out years ago. Especially when I’ve spent all that time showing and telling. That’s embarrassing to admit, but it’s true.

Almost 8 years to the day after quitting swimming, I have this burning desire to get back into the arena with you.

I want to lead again. I want to do hard things, not sit back and comfortably show and tell. I want to live out another crazy dream. I want to do it while “balancing” everything else that comes with running my business, being a husband, a dog parent and a friend.

No, I’m not signing up for an Ironman. Nor do I want to do anything “different” that would qualify me for the Guinness Book of World records for some obscure feat. The 2021 Tokyo Olympics aren’t on the agenda either.

My goal is simple. Narrow. Focused. Identical to the goals that you have set: I want an answer to this question:

How fast can I go?