What happens when public policy, prevention science, and aquatics finally sit at the same table?You get legislation like Georgia State Bill 50—and a growing movement to make lifeguarding part of high school education. We hosted Ryan Greenstein from the YMCA of Metro Atlanta to talk about advocacy wins, coalition building, and what it really takes to move a state forward in water safety. This is the kind of conversation that pushes our industry ahead.🎧 Give it a listen: https://youtu.be/eK8IgZybycU?si=5AN6jHsTfh3n6LkC

As we close out the year, I want to open a door for the people who feel called to teach with more compassion, emotional intelligence, and child-led intention. For a very limited time, the Joyful Waters Instructor Certification is available for: $99 (normally $150) This price will disappear in 2026 as the program expands. Joyful Waters is my trauma-aware, child-led method for teaching infants and young children — a gentle, developmentally aligned path that’s reshaping what water education looks like. What you receive (self-paced and fully online): https://square.link/u/1izMm7I7 ✔ Joyful Waters Course Manual (core text) ✔ Self-Study Workbook ✔ Leader/Management Guide ✔ Written Exam ✔ Joyful Waters Instructor Certificate upon passing

Mind Matters & Dark Psychology: Why Statements Reveal More Than QuestionsDive in, enjoy, and start transforming every conversation — in the pool, on the deck, and in leadership.

Another course- coming soon- Mind Matters & Dark Psychology: Why Statements Reveal MORE Than Questions Most people think questions get answers. But psychologically, statements pull out more info!!

I’ve been thinking about the difference between discipline and a loss of control — especially after seeing a video yesterday that was painful to watch. Here’s the truth: Discipline teaches. A loss of control harms. Yelling, striking a child repeatedly, jerking them by the hair, or reacting out of anger is not discipline. That’s an unregulated adult offloading their emotions onto someone smaller. And it shows up everywhere — not just in parenting. I see it in marriages, classrooms, workplaces, and friendships. Whenever an adult has not learned to regulate their own emotions, everyone around them ends up paying for it. After talking with my 14-year-old, he put it simply: “Discipline is important. That was is too far.- we don’t pull hair.” 👀 If a 14-year-old can name the difference, adults should be able to as well. But here’s the part most people never say out loud: A lot of adults genuinely don’t know how to regulate their emotions. Not because they’re bad people, but because nobody ever taught them how. So instead of just saying “handle your emotions,” here’s what that actually looks like in practice: What To Do When You Feel Yourself Losing Control (Your Ring Buoy, bc the struggle feels like you are drowning) 1. Pause for 10 seconds. Don’t talk. Don’t react. A pause interrupts the emotional spiral. 2. Take one single deep breath. Not five. Not ten. Just one. It lowers your heart rate enough to think clearly again. 3. Step away if you need to. Say, “I need a moment.” Adults are allowed time-outs too. 4. Name what you’re feeling. “I’m overwhelmed.” “I’m frustrated.” “I feel disrespected.” Naming an emotion reduces its intensity.(you can name this to yourself, write or it down, put it in your notes on your phone.) 5. Return regulated, not reactive. Only then should you discipline, correct behavior, or problem-solve. (And maybe you need way more, like running, swimming, jiu-jitsu, CrossFit, pushing against the wall, marching, screaming into a pillow)