Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide – Details, episodes & analysis

After repeated requests, this single is being lifted from the rewind show, #50, at the end of season one and put into its own episode. 

CDs were pressed and offered at The Eastern States Clinic and elsewhere, but too few have CD players. Go figure. Enjoy the tune delivered by recycled electrons. Its message is a calling for you to do a complete rewind of the prior episodes. Binge on the content and skip into the future with confidence! But no running on the pool deck.

This song shows what happens when AI writes a track for a gritty show about real human struggle in swimming and coaching.

Heavy Or Not: The Single is a machine-made, vintage-inspired musical experiment that hits like a lost 45 RPM classic—pressed with purpose, soaked in soul, and spun by artificial intelligence.

This isn’t just another song release. It’s what happens when emotion meets algorithm.
And it’s about to change how we think about music, storytelling, and tech.

• Want to feel vintage vibes without breaking the bank?
• Ever wonder what it sounds like when AI creates art that hits you in the gut?
• Think old-school records are dead? Let this track prove you wrong.
• If you love real music with a twist you won’t see coming—keep listening.
• Warning: You may not believe a machine made this…

Whether you're a nostalgic crate-digger, a future-focused creator, or just someone who loves a good story set to music—this one's for you.

Hit play. Heavy Or Not… you decide. And, let us know. 

If you want help in crafting your own song for your team, an ISCA travel meet, senior night or the team banquet, then subscribe and then attend our roundtable discussions.  We would love to share your song in a future episode.

#preach #sing #coach #play

New Roundtable Series for for Aquatic Professionals and Coaches:

1. Insurance,
2. Intellectual Property,
3. Technology,
4. Fun & Games, and
5. Broadcasting 

What Every Coach Needs to Hear From the OG Swim Guy

Coach Mark Rauterkus breaks down new coaching resources, roundtables, and media opportunities for swim professionals. Watch to learn how you can get involved, access free content, and stay ahead in the industry.

• Overview of the five weekly roundtables: CYA (insurance), IP in the pool, Tech, Fun & Games, and Broadcasting.
• Details on WAFSU.org webinars and seminars for schools, universities, and international coaches.
• Pathways to present your own content on the podcast or at roundtable events.
• Quick look at the TV show vision and some related media projects (Apple TV’s “Stick,” local Pittsburgh shows). Got ideas?

Live from the Eastern States Clinic – Featuring Mark Rauterkus

Get ready to rethink community and what you thought you knew about swim coaching. In this episode of Heavy or Not, Mark Rauterkus — the OG Swim Guy and ISCA webmaster — drops five powerful ideas that challenge the status quo of competitive swimming, youth sports, and coach development.

From water safety to podcasting, tech tools to mental health for young athletes, this talk at the Eastern States Clinic is packed with insight, experience, and vision for the future of aquatic leadership.

Topics Covered:

• The future of swim education

• Tech innovation in coaching

• Mental skills training for young athletes

• Live streaming and media in aquatic sports

• The global coaching community via WAFSU

Whether you're a high school swim coach, swim parent, or athlete — this is a must-listen.

Subscribe to the podcast: https://HON.LAP.red
Learn more at ISCA: https://swimisca.org
Full archive of episodes available wherever you get your podcasts.

#SwimCoach #SwimmingPodcast #MarkRauterkus #EasternStatesClinic #HeavyOrNot #AquaticLeadership #ISCA #SwimTraining #YouthSports

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.
• Examine how current policies might unintentionally hinder the growth of wild swimming communities.

"It's not just about the swim; it's about the profound connections we forge with nature and each other, all emerging from a the experience of an open-water swim in the wild."

Learn how Mick and Sue Nelson of Total Aquatic Programming manage data collection of important facts for the greater aquatic community. 

• https://TotalAquatic.llc

This is a heavy job that is handled masterfully. 

Jump to a mainstream podcast snip from Radio Lab

Jim's life story took a turn when he was seven-years-old and his brother didn't come back to the surface in the Mississippi River. 

See https://radiolab.org/podcast/a-flock-of-two

#Keywords

#Wild swimming, #Scotland, #open water, cultural ecosystem services, Facilitating Act Framework, nature connection, community, women's empowerment, social values, safety, risk, mental well-being, non-competitive, environmental respect, local knowledge, policy challenges, social media, nature interaction, place attachment, meditative calm, body positivity, inclusivity, support networks, human-nature relationships, swimming personas, empowerment, nature immersion.

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, Nomiki Petrolla at or of The SaaS Accelerator for Women, and Instagram at nomikipetrolla.

Will shares the remarkable story of Robert, his son, a young boy who defied the odds after a near-fatal incident. Discover the treatments and advocacy efforts that have sparked a conversation about medical protocols and patient rights.

• The harrowing experience of Robert's drowning and the initial medical response.

• The role of hyperbaric therapy in Robert's recovery and its potential for treating brain injuries.

• Challenges faced by parents in advocating for alternative treatments in hospitals.

• The creation of drownedbaby.org as a resource for parents of drowned children.

• The broader implications of Robert's story on medical practices and right-to-try laws.

• See the podcast on YouTube of the Tom Woods episode, #2665.

• Tom Woods Show main page

• See DrownedBaby.org.

Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, #43

• 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.

• Personal stories of improved health and vitality through natural supplements.

• Opportunities for coaches and teachers to enhance their income through direct sales.

1. Queen Bee and Worker Bee

2. Same DNA but different roles

   • Role of food in determining their development

   • Example of epigenetics

3. Flash Flooding in Texas

4. Impact on camps and loss of life

   • Importance of camp experiences for personal growth and community building

   • Expression of condolences and hope for safety

5. Enhanced Games and Anti-Doping Concerns

6. USA Swimming's concerns about the Enhanced Games

   • Potential risks of participating in the Enhanced Games

   • WADA's stance on the Enhanced Games

   • Advice for athletes and support staff regarding media inquiries

7. Supplements and Activation

8. Explanation of supplements and their benefits

   • Introduction to the concept of activation

   • NRF2 activator and its health benefits

   • Personal experiences and testimonials

9. LifeVantage and Business Model

10. Transition from traditional sales to direct sales

    • Success of the direct sales model

    • Public trading and recognition on NASDAQ

    • Historical context and media coverage

11. Personal Testimonies and Experiences

12. Bob Kane's personal health improvements

    • Impact of ProTandem on energy and well-being

    • Experiences with driving and physical activities

13. Coaching and Financial Challenges

14. Bob Kane's background as a swimming coach and teacher

    • Financial challenges faced by coaches and teachers

    • Desire to help coaches and teachers achieve financial abundance

15. Business Opportunities with LifeVantage

16. Sharing the benefits of activation with others

    • Tools and resources for sharing the opportunity

    • Subscription model and retention rates

    • Options for generating additional income

17. Success Stories and Testimonials

18. Examples of individuals benefiting from LifeVantage products

    • Personal weight loss and health improvements

    • Stories of individuals transitioning to full-time involvement

19. Contact and Information Sharing

20. Encouragement to reach out for more information

    • Approach to sharing information without pressure

    • Potential financial benefits of sharing the products

Queen bee next to worker bee. Both have the same DNA.

• Bob@Horsemanship.com
• 412-860-9516
• https://Horsemanship.com

A much-loved open water swimming spot near Teddington on the River Thames is at risk.

Thames Water’s proposed Teddington Direct River Abstraction (TDRA) scheme plans to remove up to 75 million liters of river water daily during droughts, replacing it with treated sewage effluent pumped year-round from the Mogden Sewage Treatment Works.

This spot is more than just a body of water. It’s a sanctuary for swimmers, paddlers, rowers, dogs, and entire communities. Thousands rely on it for physical health, mental wellbeing, and meaningful connection.

Simon Griffiths’s call in Outdoor Swimmer made this call to stop that plan.

Deadline: August 26, 2025

✅ Send an email to: TDRA@ipsos.com

Use your own words, or adapt this message:

I object to Thames Water’s TDRA scheme. Discharging treated sewage into a treasured recreational stretch of the Thames, year-round, is unacceptable. This river supports thousands of water users and wildlife. Sustainable solutions like fixing existing leakage—currently over 600 million liters per day—should come first. Please register my objection formally with the Planning Inspectorate.

• Check out the business meeting after the ASCA World Clinic and the Build-a-Pool event in early 2026 at AOAP event.

• Discover the threats facing a cherished stretch of the Thames and how you can help.

• Learn about the Aquatic Health Club model initiative and its impact on private and nonprofit sectors.

• Get insights into the upcoming coaches Aquatic Business Workshop and its benefits.

• Explore the importance of purpose-driven business in the aquatics industry.

• Find out about the All Things Aquatics event on September 20th and how it can be a fun networking event for your aquatic career.

The series with Mick & Sue started on episode #37. Feel free to play prior interview parts.

Exploring how NZ Drowning Prevention went into a floating frenzy.

School closures and Equity Concerns raised in public comment by a parent with cutting perspective to Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Canadian teen makes a heroic water rescue. She saves a kayaker in Georgian Bay, Ontario.

AI Innovations: Real-Time Speech Translation and Accent Conversion in Google Meet and Krisp.

Insightful discussion with Swim OGs, Mick and Sue Nelson, as they delve into the challenges and solutions surrounding pool, team and aquatic management, planning and programming. Discover how innovative approaches can transform the future of swimming facilities.

• Explore the financial fears and sustainability issues of subsidized pool models.

• Learn about the role of private sector and entrepreneurial coaches in pool management.

• Understand the importance of bridging the gap between swim schools and high school programs.

• Discover strategies for effective use of underutilized pools across the country.

• Gain insights into drowning prevention and the broader impact on aquatic health and wellness.

Don't forget to subscribe for more episodes and join the conversation! Introduction of Sue happened on #37. 

More artwork on the Substack pages. See https://Substack.com/@rauterkus.
Total Aquatic Programming is at https://TotalAquatics.llc 

Discover why these events are more than just races and how they can enhance your swimming skills.

• Overview of the East Coast Open Water Festival and the new Jamestown Open Water Festival.

• Detailed race formats, including The Great Knockout and family-friendly options.

• Comprehensive safety measures and protocols in place for participants.

• Benefits of open water swimming, from endurance to mental resilience.

• Practical tips for transitioning from pool swimming to open water challenges.

Join us as we explore the opportunities these festivals offer to swimmers of all ages and abilities.

Learn More & Sign Up

Plus, Andrew Sheaff, coach, author, consultant, shares some insights on a great tip that can be applied to everyone’s swimming.

The critical issues surrounding swimming, coaching and community recreation is water safety, and less so the making of gold-medal champions. The challenges faced by aquatic facilities today are on the rise. Closing pools. Indifferent politicians. Tighter budgets. Busy families. Covid too. Discover the trends, obstacles, and solutions in the world of swimming and drowning prevention.

• The impact of COVID-19 on drowning statistics and swimming lessons.

• Challenges in maintaining and operating commercial swimming pools.

• The shortage of qualified lifeguards and its implications.

• The role of local organizations versus national support in drowning prevention.

• The importance of educating communities and politicians about the value of aquatic facilities.

Drowning prevention, data analysis, CDC, Consumer Product Safety Commission, trends, COVID impact, swimming pools, lifeguards, aquatic programming, local advocacy, ethnic disparities, pool closures, maintenance issues, swimming lessons, community education, USA Swimming, private sector, public sector, water safety, Mick Nelson, Sue Nelson, Mark Rauterkus, podcast, aquatics, governmental challenges.

1. Data Usage and Comparison

2. Difference between data usage by Mick Nelson's organization and the CDC.

   • Importance of current data for local advocacy and marketing.

   • Trends identification and the limitations of data collection.

3. Impact of Political and Economic Changes

4. Effects of layoffs and budget cuts on data collection and analysis.

   • The role of local organizations versus national support.

   • The importance of local action plans in drowning prevention.

5. Trends in Drowning and Water Safety

6. The impact of COVID-19 on drowning statistics and swimming lessons.

   • Increase in backyard pools and their safety concerns.

   • Ethnic disparities in drowning rates, particularly among Hispanics.

7. Swimming Pool Closures and Maintenance Issues

8. Tracking of commercial pool closures and reasons behind them.

   • Challenges in pool maintenance and the role of trained personnel.

   • Financial constraints and their impact on pool operations.

9. Lifeguard Shortages and Training

10. Difficulty in recruiting lifeguards and the reasons behind it.

    • The need for qualified lifeguards due to increased recreational facilities.

    • The impact of work ethics and financial incentives on lifeguard availability.

11. Community Education and Political Influence

12. The lack of swimming skills among Americans and its implications.

    • The role of community and political education in valuing aquatic facilities.

    • Misconceptions about the financial operations of swimming pools.

13. Future Discussions and Podcast Continuation

14. Introduction to upcoming topics in the next podcast episode.

    • The need for increased swimming education and awareness.

    • The role of the private sector in addressing aquatic needs.

• Link to the business of Sue and Mick Nelson, Total Aquatic Programming, https://TotalAquatic.llc

• Heavy Or Not podcast

• International Swim Coaches Association

• Heavy Or Not #37, and Part 1, and Introduction to Sue Nelson’s Career Journey on Substack.