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Building Identity: The Key to Lasting Success in Swimming (or any endeavor).
At SwimMAC, we’re kicking off our character development series with a simple but powerful idea: identity-based habits. The idea that who...

Julio Zarate
Sep 4, 20254 min read


Kicking Things Off: The Book, the Blog, and the Journey Ahead
Before we dive into this first blog post (yes, I’m sticking with the swimming puns), I want to give you a little context. I’m in the...

Julio Zarate
Sep 2, 20252 min read


How to find and sustain passion in your craft: Insights from Ned Johnson, Dr. William Stixrud, and Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Before we get started I want to urge you all to read the book, "The self-drive child" by Ned Johnson, Dr. William Stixrud, and watch the...

Julio Zarate
Aug 11, 20256 min read


Barfus and Tom: The troll, the dragon, and the disciplined little squirrel.
Under the fieldstone bridge, near the mystical wood.
Lived Barfus and Tom, friends through bad and good.
Tom: a Dragon, had fire in his heart
Barfus: a troll, made being stoic an art.
They see things differently, not just because of their height.
Let’s see where this day takes them, and what lessons come to light.

Julio Zarate
Aug 4, 20253 min read


“Wax On, Game On: What Mr. Miyagi Teaches Us About Coaching, Growth, and Resilience”
When we think of iconic coaches in film history, Mr. Miyagi is probably not the first name that comes to mind. However, few compare to...

Julio Zarate
Jul 28, 20253 min read


The Power of Self-Talk and Mantras in Athletic Performance: The Science Behind the Mindset
The Power of Self-Talk and Mantras in Athletic Performance: The Science Behind the Mindset In the evolving world of athletic performance,...

Julio Zarate
Jul 21, 20252 min read


Why Every Teen Athlete Should Learn the Olympic Lifts
When it comes to athletic development, there’s no shortcut to building power, speed, and strength. But there is a smarter way—and it...

Julio Zarate
Jul 14, 20253 min read


What Ninjas Taught Me About Fear: A Story for Swimmers (and Everyone Else)"
When I was a teenager, I spent my summers working as a lifeguard with one of my closest friends, David. We worked side-by-side in the...

Julio Zarate
Jul 7, 20254 min read


The unsung hero of swim performance: Core strength and stability
Often when people think of elite swimmers, they might immediately picture their powerful strokes, and streamlined bodies with a strong kick cutting through the water with picture perfect technique. But behind all these visible elements of swimming success, there's a crucial, often overlooked factor that directly impacts performance: core strength and stability

Julio Zarate
Jun 30, 20257 min read


The Benefits of Mobility Training for Youth Athletes
Mobility training is essential for young athletes, as it focuses on improving the range of motion, flexibility, and movement efficiency...

Julio Zarate
Jun 16, 20254 min read


Become a more explosive athlete!
🚀 Top 5 Ways to Become More Explosive as a Teen Athlete! 🚀
If you’re looking to level up your athletic performance and unlock some serious

Julio Zarate
Jun 9, 20252 min read


"Sacrifice vs. Choice: The Power to Shape Your Future"
For athletes and their support system (families)who are ready to take ownership of their destiny Too often I hear parents and athletes...

Julio Zarate
Jun 2, 20254 min read


Welcome to the Official Blog of Those Who Hustle:
Welcome to the first official post from Those Who Hustle! We’re excited to launch this blog as an extension of our mission.

Julio Zarate
May 30, 20252 min read
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