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 middle of writing a book, something that’s been brewing in the back of my mind for nearly 20 years. It’s about swimming, of course, but also about more than swimming: art, movement, coaching, learning, philosophy, and growth. Basically, the things that make me curious and excited.

Now, I’ll admit, this whole book-writing thing is a bit intimidating. I’m a coach, not a polished writer. Most of my writing life has been parent/weekly emails that end up full of typos until my wife kindly fixes them. So, tackling a book? Definitely a leap into the deep end. But here’s the thing: coaching has taught me to lean into challenges, to embrace the process, and to keep showing up. That’s exactly what I’m trying to do here.

Which brings me to this blog. I realized that if I’m going to write a book about swimming, movement, and the “flow” of the sport, I might as well share the process along the way. Twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays, I’ll post here. Some posts will be directly about the book: ideas I’m exploring, lessons I’m working through, or maybe just messy thoughts that I need to get out. Other posts will branch into training, coaching, character development, or even just life outside the pool. But everything will connect back in some way to the larger project. Think of it as a “behind the scenes” look at the making of the book, with some bonus coaching and reflections thrown in.

The spark for all of this actually came from Musashi’s Book of Five Rings. When I read it years ago, I thought, “I want to write the swimming version of this.” Of course, at the time I didn’t realize how much time, reflection, and experience it would take before I could even begin. Now, after decades on pool decks watching athletes push themselves further than they thought possible, I feel like I finally have something worth sharing.

So here we are the book in progress, and this blog to travel alongside it. My hope is that you’ll find something here, whether you’re a swimmer, a parent, or a coach, that makes you think a little differently about the water, the sport, or maybe even yourself.

Thanks for jumping in with me. I’m excited to see where this goes, and I’d love for you to follow along as the book, and this blog, take shape.

Help Launch The Swimming Book of the Five Rings

This blog will always stay free, no subscriptions, no paywalls. But to make my dream of publishing The Swimming Book of the Five Rings a reality, I need your support.

Donations go directly toward editing, design, production, and promotion of the book. Every contribution, big or small, brings this project closer to the starting blocks.

If you’ve enjoyed the content here and want to see the book in print, please consider donating. Together, we can make it happen. Click the donate button below.

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