In #33 of the Heavy Or Not podcast get a, peek into critical issues surrounding recent CDC cuts and explore the intriguing insights from a comedian's graduation speech.

Hear about essential topics on public health with swimming and life lessons with a touch of humor.

CDC's Drowning Prevention Team Cuts
Article from Politico discussing the cuts.
Layoffs at the CDC affecting the drowning prevention team.
Loss of dedicated expertise and focus within the agency.
Timing of cuts during increased drowning deaths.
Impact on children ages one to four.
Possible reasons: fewer lifeguards, canceled lessons.
Challenges in rebuilding water safety skills post-COVID.
Importance of CDC's role in data analysis and partnerships.
Impact on local groups and funding without national data.
Unfinished research and projects halted.
Artificial Intelligence Advancements
Google Meet's real-time speech translation.
Allows natural conversation in different languages.
Initial rollout in English and Spanish, with more languages to follow.
KRISP tool for meetings.
Offers silent recording, transcription, and note-taking.
Background noise reduction and accent conversion features.
Integration with CRM for task tracking and action items.
Custom vocabulary for workspace terms.
Graduation Speech by a Comedian
Life lessons shared by the comedian.
You don't have to have a dream; focus on short-term goals.
Don't seek happiness directly; aim to make others happy.
Acknowledge the role of luck in life.
Importance of exercise for mental and physical health.
Be critical of your opinions and beliefs.
The value of teaching and sharing knowledge.
Define yourself by what you love, not what you oppose.
Respect people with less power than you.
Don't rush life decisions; embrace learning and experiences.

Jim Lutz's Guide to Building a Strong Coaching and Team Foundation

Our Heavy Or Not insightful discussion, #32, cultivates the culture, strategies and principles for building a successful program, as outlined within an ebook by author and coach, Jim Lutz.

Discover how loyalty, recruitment, and development play crucial roles in creating a thriving team environment.

• Explore the foundational role of loyalty and its five key aspects, including honesty and consistency.
• Learn about the importance of recruiting the right fit, focusing on character and passion.
• Understand the ongoing effort required in development, addressing both strengths and weaknesses.
• Gain insights into effective time management and the significance of setting priorities.
• Discover how artificial intelligence can streamline processes for coaches and program coordinators.

The ebook is available at https://sendowl.com/s/ebook/culture/decide-your-culture-build-your-team-by-international-swim-coaches-assocation for only $8.00.

We're thrilled to release these thought-provoking episodes -- and this one that features another OG swim coach, Jim Lutz. If you're looking to establish quality swim, sports and youth programs -- or just want to soak up some wisdom on leadership and personal growth, this one covers lots of hot yet timeless topics.

What You'll Learn a Pathway and Suite of Priorities:

1. Loyalty as a Foundation: Discover how honesty, consistency, and the desire to excel can transform your team dynamics.
2. Recruiting the Right Fit: It's not just about talent; it's about character and passion. Learn how to find those who align with your culture and goals.
3. Development Strategies: Uncover the secrets to nurturing strengths and addressing weaknesses, ensuring your team members reach their full potential.
4. Responsibility and Integrity: Understand the importance of handling yourself well, even when no one's watching, and how to empower your team through trust.
5. Mastering Time Management: Get tips on planning and controlling your time effectively, ensuring you and your team stay on top of your game.

Fun Fact from the Episode: Did you know that Jim Lutz has spent more than 50 years in competitive swimming? From clubs to NCAA and USA swimming, his hands-on leadership experience is inspiring!

We hope you enjoy heavy issues and a glimps of Jim Lutz's principles. Whether you're a coach, team manager, or just someone looking to improve your leadership skills, there's something here for everyone.

Call to Action: Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from a true OG swim coach! Head over to SwimISCA.com to check out Jim's e-book and explore more of his insights. And if you have any thoughts or feedback, we'd love to hear from you. Share your comments, audio, or even video with us!

Thanks for being part of our community. We can't wait to hear how these insights resonate with you!

Heavy Or Not – The O.G. Swim Guide, Episode #31

https://HON.LAP.red

“You can prepare for the work, but you can’t always predict the weather.”

In this episode of Heavy Or Not, we explore the real-world parallels between weathering literal storms and facing the emotional and professional trials coaches endure over time. Coaches Jim Lutz and Barry Healy share hard-won lessons from the deck and beyond.

• Jim Lutz: Coach, author, and Arizona sunshine philosopher

• Barry Healy: Veteran Canadian coach and lifelong mentor

• Special reference: Dr. John Hogg, sport psychologist and author

• Legacy lens: Insights from Cecil Colwin, author and coach

1. Navigating Life’s Storms

Jim Lutz opens with a sunlit reflection—literally. While others face dark skies and sleet, he frames life’s changing circumstances through the lens of perspective. “The storm is the same for everyone,” he says, “but the way you show up in it… that’s what coaching is.”

2. The Role of Mentorship

Barry Healy dives into how mentorship shaped his decades in the pool and the classroom. His admiration for Dr. John Hogg—especially Hogg’s calm and clarity under pressure—anchors a wider conversation on coach development.

3. Team Culture Is Built, Not Inherited

Both coaches emphasize culture as an intentional, daily act. Whether it's a handshake after practice or informal “fireplace sessions” like those hosted by Cecil Colwin, the rituals matter more than the rules.

4. Mental Health, Balance, and Coaching Today

Today’s coaches are stretched thin. The emotional weight of leading young athletes, managing expectations, and staying grounded is greater than ever. This episode doesn’t shy away from that truth—but it offers hopeful, practical encouragement.

5. The Next Generation Deserves Our Best

Jim and Barry both express a shared purpose: helping the next wave of coaches find clarity sooner. “You don’t have to suffer to be good,” says Barry. “You need guidance, not just grind.”

Check out the companion book and course:
Mental Skills for Young Athletes by Dr. John Hogg
https://Read.SwimISCA.org/why/mental-skills-for-young-athletes/

Whether you’re coaching a national team or leading a youth rec league, this conversation will speak to the heart of why you do what you do. It’s about mentorship. It’s about resilience. And it’s about the big picture—beyond medals and swim times.

Subscribe at https://HON.LAP.red and be part of the growing Heavy Or Not coaching and sports-minded community.

• More episodes: https://WAFSU.org

• ISCA Membership: https://Read.SwimISCA.org

• Send your mascot pics: https://YOUCANswim.wetransfer.com

In this episode of the podcast, Heavy Or Not, we kick off with friend and O.G., Wayne Goldsmith. His rant delves into the unsettling mark of young champions at the age of 8 and 9. His podcast is called, Sports Thoughts.

Then we pivot to talk about two successful college sports programs that have been abruptly cut. Oh no! Cal Polly Swimming, Men & Women's Teams, plus Grand Canyon University Men's Volleyball suffered unexpected and unexplainable cuts.

Heavy topics. Abrupt losses. Heartbreaks.

Links:

• https://waynegoldsmith.substack.com/
• https://Substack.com/@rauterkus
• https://HON.LAP.red
• https://Go.LAP.red

Full team and coaches role play activities in 10 scenes that progress in a full-blown story.

• Heavy Or Not – The O.G. Swim Guide | Episode 29

• A peek inside Dr. John Hogg’s Mental Skills for Young Athletes - course and ebooks

Take the time and boost performance, focus, and confidence in your athletes.

This episode of Heavy Or Not dives into the often overlooked but game-changing world of mental skills training.

We explore the groundbreaking work of Dr. John M. Hogg and the “Script and Screenplay” eBook, where athletes develop self-awareness, goal-setting, and emotional control — all through imaginative role-playing and practical exercises. It's more than theory — it's a coachable, learnable system that integrates seamlessly into physical training that teams can deploy.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why mental skills are the missing piece in many training programs

• How to use structured role-play to teach self-awareness and motivation

• Practical tools for goal setting, relaxation, and energizing techniques

• Ways to help young athletes turn mindset into their competitive advantage

Explore the Mental Skills full LMS course:
https://Read.SwimISCA.org/why/mental-skills-for-young-athletes/

Whether you coach swimmers, water polo teams, or any competitive youth athletes, this approach gives you tools to support the whole athlete—body and mind.

Buy the Script & Screenplay book. https://sowl.co/p/jwaLm

• Announcing Monthly CYA Calls to stay protected and informed – sign up at LAP.red and subscribe to the Substack.com/@rauterkus.

1. Where to find a great resource on how to build a winning swim team culture rooted in character and shared responsibility.

2. Where to jump start conversations that at every coach and organization should know about insurance, liability, and proactive planning.

• This episode features practical takeaways drawn from the book The Coach’s Starter Guide by Swim Smart, now available:
  The Swim Coach's Starter Guide – Swim Smart

Whether you're a head coach, assistant, administrator, or parent volunteer, this conversation gives you a framework for strengthening your team—both in spirit and in structure.

• How team culture impacts performance – and why character development often outperforms just chasing results

• The role of clear expectations and communication between coaches, swimmers, and parents

• Why monthly insurance conversations matter, especially in today’s shifting legal and volunteer landscape

• Tips for preventing the “satisfaction of search” so your team doesn’t stagnate after early wins

• A compelling look at genetics, coaching, and what really drives long-term success

“One person’s success is everyone’s joy. One person’s failure is everyone’s fault.”
This mantra shifts teams away from blame and toward shared accountability.

If you're a coach or volunteer, protecting yourself and your team starts with staying informed. Join our free monthly CYA (Cover Your Assets) calls to talk insurance, risk, and strategy with peers and experts.
📍 Sign up now at LAP.red

Catch the full episode on your favorite podcast platform or watch the video version on YouTube.
Whether you're in the office, on deck, or in the car—this one’s worth a listen.

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with a colleague who needs to hear this.