As a swimming instructor, I have witnessed fear in my swimmers. WIth little kids you can usually empower them by disclosing "the secret of the water" and slowly but surely they learn to trust. But what about when you're an adult with a lifetime of experience and stories that you bring with you to the water?

In today's episode I'm joined by Miracle Swimming founder, Melon Dash. We talk about meeting swimmers where they're at and various ways that fear can be disguised, and the importance of teaching adults "how the water works.

The bottom line is we need to separate learning swimming strokes from learning to be safe and strive for every individual to be comfortable in the water. 

Melon has written several books, including Conquer your Fear of the Water and Conquer your Fear of the Triathlon Swim. You can find out more about Miracle Swimming at http://miracleswimming.com

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Melon Dash.

At the Interface is a creative project by Shannon House Keegan, founder of Intrepid Water – Gain the comfort and confidence to swim free! And Marathon Swim Stories – Where we explore the human side of super human feats of endurance swimmers and those who support them.

Intrepid Water (@intrepidwater) • Instagram photos and videos
Intrepid Water | Talent OR (facebook.com)

At the Interface is produced by Maxi Frini

In the first episode of At the Interface, Blue Mind author, J Nichols, introduced us to the idea that water and music are equally beneficial to the brain, this is our topic today.  

You may also recall from episode 1 that we spoke about, in J's words, the "idea factory of a man", Dr. Oliver Sacks. If you missed it, be sure to go back and have a listen. 

Being somewhat short on time for reading all 10 of Oliver Sacks books, I felt fortunate to stumble on the Radiant Minds podcast series hosted by neuroscientist and opera soprano, Dr. Indre Viskontas. 

In her book, "How Music Can Make you Better" - you guessed it, I was struck by the parallels between music and swimming.  

Today I feel fortunate to speak with Dr. Viskontas who happened to take up swimming in her 20's. Our conversation traverses music and swimming with the brain as our focus. 

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Indre Viskontas.

Find out more about Dr. Indre Viskontas: http://indreviskontas.com
Listen to the Radiant Minds podcast series: Radiant Minds: The World of Oliver Sacks | Audible Original Podcast Series

At the Interface is a creative project by Shannon House Keegan, founder of Intrepid Water – Gain the comfort and confidence to swim free! And Marathon Swim Stories – Where we explore the human side of super human feats of endurance swimmers and those who support them.

Intrepid Water (@intrepidwater) • Instagram photos and videos
Intrepid Water | Talent OR (facebook.com)

At the Interface is produced by Maxi Frini

I found this definition of swimming on the internet…

"Swimming is moving your body through water (a moderately viscous fluid) that's either still (as in a swimming pool), turbulent (as in the ocean), or somewhere in between. If you're swimming completely under the surface (for example, scuba diving), you're moving through relatively still water; other times, you're going to be moving along at the more turbulent interface between air and water, with your legs, arms, head, and body moving from one element to the other and back again, speeding up or slowing down as they cross the border."

This was interesting to me. Prior to stumbling across this definition, I hadn't really thought of swimming this way before - as moving limbs back and forth between a viscous fluid and air. It is just something that my body does in water. 

Even more interesting is how swimming… the life saving skill of swimming mind you… has been so far removed from the motor learning process that is common when we pick up other sports or activities.

In my interview today with SwimMastery founder, Tracey Baumann, we talk about why swimming is so hard for some, and how we can make easier.

Enjoy. 

https://www.explainthatstuff.com/swimming-science.html

Find out more about SwimMastery: http://swimmastery.online

At the Interface is a creative project by Shannon House Keegan, founder of Intrepid Water – Gain the comfort and confidence to swim free! And Marathon Swim Stories – Where we explore the human side of super human feats of endurance swimmers and those who support them.

Intrepid Water (@intrepidwater) • Instagram photos and videos
Intrepid Water | Talent OR (facebook.com)

At the Interface is produced by Maxi Frini

In the first episode of At the Interface, I speak with Dr. Wallace j. Nichols, author of Blue Mind: the surprising science that shows how being near, in, on, or under water can make you happier, healthier, more connected, and better at what you do. In my conversation today with Dr. Nichols, we discuss what Blue Mind is in contrast to red and gray mind. How tension doesn't serve you in the water. The privilege and access required to learn to swim, and how as water based beings on a water based planet, that's not okay. Gifting water or music for the holidays, and the benefits of water and music on the brain. And so much more. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Nichols.

Creating useful words. | Wallace J Nichols
Dr. Wallace J Nichols | creating The Blue Mind Method | Patreon

Blue Mind Projects mentioned in the podcast:
Willamette River - Human Access Project - Portland, Oregon
Soul River Inc – Leaders For Environmental Justice

At the Interface is a creative project by Shannon House Keegan, founder of Intrepid Water – Gain the comfort and confidence to swim free! And Marathon Swim Stories – Where we explore the human side of super human feats of endurance swimmers and those who support them.

Intrepid Water (@intrepidwater) • Instagram photos and videos
Intrepid Water | Talent OR (facebook.com)

At the Interface is produced by Maxi Frini