I'll go first. I have been pool swimming 5x a week but cut the bottom of my foot spearfishing yesterday. Honestly this really bummed me out because I have GREAT momentum, I am feeling the progress, feeling like a "swimmer" again. But there are always things we have to deal with that are NOT in our control. This is one of them. My response - I will shift my workouts to the gym [to keep my foot dry] so I can keep feeling good with my exercise routine. Release a little control to maintain progress! Have an epic week! BIG Love, Coach Jeff P.S. Your turn, comment below!

Caribe Nation, A question I get all the time is: “How do I know when I’m ready to move on to the next skill?” Good question. Because progress matters. And when you’re excited to improve, it’s easy to want to move on as fast as possible. But sometimes trying to progress too fast is the exact thing slowing you down. So here are 4 warning signs that tell you it’s time to stay where you are and clean things up first. Warning Sign #1: Water is going up your nose This usually means there’s still tension in your body. A lot of times what’s happening is simple: your face goes in, your body gets nervous, and you take a quick inhale through your nose. That’s not a floating problem. That’s a relaxation and breath-hold problem. What to do: Go back and practice a calm 20-second breath hold with your face in the water without floating. Do 10 reps. Your goal is simple: face in, no panic, no water in the nose. Warning Sign #2: You’re forcing your legs up If you’re kicking or lifting your legs to the surface and they fall right back down, you’re trying to create the float instead of allowing it. That’s not how floating works. We do not force a front float. We relax into it and let the water help us find our body’s natural position. What to do: Return to wall-supported front floats. Do 20 reps where your only goal is: face down legs relaxed no lifting no trying to “make it look right” Let the water do the work. Warning Sign #3: You’re tense in the float If your shoulders, hips, legs, or jaw feel tight, you’re not floating yet. You’re holding. And holding creates sinking. What to do: Shorten the float. Instead of trying to hold for 20 seconds, do 5-second relaxed floats. Do 15 reps. Only increase the time when the shorter float feels calm. Warning Sign #4: You’re worried about getting out of the float This is a big one. If you’re in the float thinking: “How do I stand up?” “What if I get stuck?” “I don’t want to let go of the wall…” Then your body is not ready for the next step yet.

Hi! I've been taking swimming lessons for some time now. I'm able to front float with the assistance of a noodle or my instructor. I want to progress to unassisted front floating. But, I'm not able to "start off". I know I'll float & won't sink & the instructor is there. But, I still stumble (like trying to save myself from falling over) everytime i try without a noodle. I don't understand why that's happening. I can float unassisted (like when the noodle is taken away while I float). Its the start-off/getting into the floating position, I'm struggling with. I've tried the relaxation & breathing technique before the lesson. What else can I try, please?

If you are active in the community, please reply in the comments with "Fearless" BIG Love, Coach Jeff