Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide – Details, episodes & analysis

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Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide

ISCA

Sports

Health & Fitness

Frequency: 1 episode/5d. Total Eps: 116

A thought-provoking and insightful exploration of the intersection of aquatics, swimming, sports, technology, and human potential.

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Data updated on 16/09/2026

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Score global : 62%

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Launch & Gifting Coach Mark's Public Policy Playbook: Aquatics and Recreation 4 Yinzers

Season 3 · Episode 115

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 • Duration 14:22

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 partnerships and community initiatives, just before the book gets handed to him.

Mayor is in full agreement. Time will tell.

Overview of the Playbook: 10 pillars, strategic principles, meta plays, and actionable "plays." How to download the free PDF via CREWLAB (crewlab.io) and purchase the printed copy at SWIMISCA.com. Mayor Corey O'Connor's plans for expanding rec‑center hours, school‑facility partnerships, and arts programming. The three‑tier mental‑resilience action plan for youth athletes, based on Dr. John Hoog's research. Next steps: community involvement, feedback opportunities, and upcoming expansions of city sports camps and cultural events.

"The ball's in your court—action is the kicker that will transform our rec centers into life‑saving community hubs."

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Navigating Federal and Provincial Sport Funding: Barry Healy's Fight for Local Recreation in BC, Canada - sorta like PPS needs

Season 3 · Episode 110

Saturday, September 12, 2026 • Duration 18:39

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 building an athletic reform task force, navigating government roadblocks, and a clever way to fund a new public park. We also take a quick look at the VASA trainer's retirement and its impact on swim training.

Learn:

How to design and launch a city‑wide athletic reform task force from scratch.
Strategies for getting provincial and federal sport funding when councils push back.
The "case of beer" pitch that secured a $13‑per‑household‑per‑month park funding plan.
Engaging schools and universities in community sports development.
Updates on the VASA trainer's retirement and alternatives for swim‑ERG training.

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ISCA Hall of Fame Tribute video for IU's Ray Looze

Season 3 · Episode 113

Wednesday, September 9, 2026 • Duration 05:07

ISCA Coaches Hall of Fame honored Ray Looze, Indiana University, in the class of 2026. Episode #113 show the tribute video.

ISCA Hall Of Fame Tribute -- Heavy Or Not, episode #112 -- Matt Kredich of Univ of Tennessee

Season 3 · Episode 112

Friday, September 4, 2026 • Duration 04:34

The episode, #112, is a ISCA Hall of Fame tribute built around Matt Kredich, Tennessee swimming, team culture and an ISCA interview segment.

#111 - Doug Cornish on the Swimming Coach Crisis: Why Passion No Longer Pays the Bills

Season 3 · Episode 111

Sunday, August 9, 2026 • Duration 08:47

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 current contract, 38% have no health insurance, and 70% are on single‑year agreements.
Why it's happening: a clash between the old "grind" culture and modern coaches/parents, plus boards that misuse nonprofit status and ignore reserve building.
The financial fallout: no retirement plans, zero COLA (Cost Of Living Adjustments) adjustments, and coaches paying out‑of‑pocket for travel and basic expenses.
Real‑world impact: personal stories like Doug Cornish's breakdown, career switches, and the growing exodus from the profession.
Actionable blueprint: 3‑5‑year contracts, 2‑3% annual COLA, full health/retirement benefits, paid parental leave, meet‑day compensation, protected supplemental income, and dual‑purpose life insurance.

This episode presents an invite to the course, C.Y.A. as part of the Learning Management System of the International Swim Coaches Association. Check out all the results of the survey in the PDF in that lesson.

https://Read.SwimISCA.org/courses/cya

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Digital Swimming Passport: Valentin Milkov and Zlix - episode #110

Season 3 · Episode 110

Monday, August 3, 2026 • Duration 20:38

"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 monetization, and future growth plans.

Learn:

The origins of ZLiX and Valentin's swimming and tech background.
How the AI assesses video uploads to confirm skill progression with ~90% accuracy.
The free‑forever user model and the certificate‑based revenue strategy.
Customizable school branding and curriculum flexibility for swim programs.
Upcoming features, potential partnerships, and steps to drive user adoption.

This exploration helps to shape efforts within the project of Coach Mark within the new book, Chapter Zero, Our AI Coaching Wizard, just published. Get it at https://SwimISCA.com.

Also see the AI tool discussed in episode #104 of Heavy Or Not to hear from Ali, founder of OrcaVision.computer.

Subscribe for more insights on AI, Coaching, Leadership and Sports Reform. Also follow at https://Substack.com/@rauterkus.

Full posting at https://WAFSU.org in the course for Season 3 of Heavy Or Not.

Val was a fast swimmer and was coached by at Indiana University by Kris Kirchner and later, while redshirted due to a shoulder injury, he assisted Ray Looze as a coach.

Shitty Best: Redefining Athletic Failure with Unconditional Self‑Acceptance and Neural Science

Season 3 · Episode 109

Thursday, July 30, 2026 • Duration 25:31

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 (pre‑frontal cortex vs. amygdala) drive split‑second mistakes
Why traditional self‑esteem is a liability and how self‑acceptance builds true resilience
Acceptance‑enabled perfectionism: practicing without panic and accelerating improvement
The past‑present‑future coaching model and radical compassion for opponents, officials, and yourself

Turning Mistakes into Momentum: The Past‑Present‑Future Framework for Elite Coaching

Get the book!

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Shitty Best Explained: How Known, Unknown, and Unknowable Variables Shape Performance (part 1)

Season 3 · Episode 108

Wednesday, July 29, 2026 • Duration 26:25

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 perfect" mantra is a neuro‑plasticity drill, not fluffy motivation.
How to transform film review from a blame‑session into a data‑driven laboratory.
The "time‑machine" thought experiment that proves contextual inevitability of every play.

Buy the book!

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World Drowning Prevention Day Highlights New Free Open‑Water Course and Upcoming East Coast Festival

Season 3 · Episode 107

Sunday, July 26, 2026 • Duration 14:26

Open water swimming is exhilarating—but safety must come first. In episode #107 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, we talk with Barry Healey of BC, Canada about an event in his town.

Get into the new open-water course and check out the ISCA Open Water Festival. The upcoming festival with a 5K swim is hosted at Smith Mountain Lake State Park in Virginia.

Progress is being made on the insurance issue.

New free open‑water swimming course (read.swimisca.org) and the East Coast Open Water Festival at Smith Mountain Lake
Introduction of a university division for collegiate squads and how to register
Ongoing insurance work and why coaches and need to stay informed about liability risks
The July 18, 2026 Across‑the‑Lake Swim disaster – what went wrong and the key safety failures
New mandatory safety gear: high‑visibility swim buddies and why they're now required for all open‑water events

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Open water swimming is poised to grow with new competitive opportunities for college teams

Season 3 · Episode 106

Thursday, July 23, 2026 • Duration 08:04

In Heavy Or Not, #106, we bring a dream into reality for long-time Southern Illinois University Head Swim & Dive Coach, presently retired, Rick Walker.

Open Water Festival Sign up at https://swimisca.org/event/east-coast-open-water/

News Release about College Teams at https://read.swimisca.org/courses/open-water/lessons/isca-hosts-open-water-festivals/topic/press-release-college-swimming-gets-an-upgrade-in-september-with-a-5k-and-open-water-knockout/

Coach Walker has been a leading force for USA Open Water Swimming Teams in recent years — and he helps with Pan Am Aquatics and speaks to coaches at WAFSU.org / UCSSC seminars. Let's get to the core of the dream of what Open Water events mean for athletes and coaches. Get the details on the upcoming East Coast Open Water Festival and how a new college and university division is being created. Plus, you can get involved.

Open water as an additional collegiate season – benefits for Title IX compliance and athlete counts.
East Coast Open Water Festival at Smith Mountain Lake (Sept 2026) is with a new college & university division.
Race formats: knockout 1,500 m, 5K, 1‑mile, splash‑and‑dash (swim + run) and more.
How open water training boosts pool performance for distance and sprint swimmers.
Resources & future events: online prep course (reed.swimisca.org), May Jamestown meet, coach/parent participation.
New Open Water Course, for free, for limited time:
https://read.swimisca.org/courses/open-water/