I've learned that the training part, the day-to-day time and mileage, that's easy. That's truly the easiest part, but the mental game of it all, especially when we talk about Iron Man, I explained to everyone, whether you are the first person or whether you are dead last, everyone is suffering. And if you're not suffering, something's wrong with you; and you should probably quit after that race because you had the perfect day. It is a huge challenge. And even down to half iron man, and a sprint even down to an Olympic distance. You know, even we can talk about swimming even in a 400, there's always that question of whether you can do it, at that three-quarter distance your brain will always want to tell you, you can't do it.

So to me, it's always about training the athlete, working with the athletes to make sure that they're ready to handle that moment because the rest of it's pretty straightforward.

The Stealth MK II from Vorgee is one of the best swim goggles for swimmers in the pool, lake, or ocean. It's a great open water swimming choice because of the mirrored lenses and peripheral vision. It is a versatile swim goggle that fits almost all face shapes and sizes. In the video below, we break down the swim goggle features as we unpack the swim goggle. Get into it and enjoy!

I want to talk about leadership. Your influence as a sports director has been far-reaching for quite some time.

 Once you have the strategy, you really have to concentrate on what culture you actually want? What is that performance culture? Make sure it revolves around values and behaviors.

Our values at Swimming Australia are :

• courage
• unity
• excellence

Courage that we have to be ambitious with what we have to do. We want to be innovative. We want to take risks. We have to take risks in high-performance. Otherwise, you're not going to get the results. They are calculated risks, and we're dealing with government funds.

Unity is about collaborating with purpose. I don't believe you just collaborate for the sake of collaboration, but it has to, has to be purposeful. 

Excellence is trying to be the best in the world. We want to be the best in the world.

The intentional decision to treat Rick like he was a typical child meant being committed to doing what needed to be done to ensure that Rick was just that. The ideals wrapped up in that commitment, hard word, perseverance, dedication, and not being limited by a disability clearly had an effect on Rick and helped him accomplish all he and his family have done to date.

This is a story of a family that chooses to see each other as human beings; they love unconditionally and are prepared to move mountains for each other. Their legacy is an idea that anything can be achieved with perseverance, dedication, and commitment.

Our conversation with Tom was walk through 45 years of swimming history in and out of his history-making career, being the only Canadian swim to date that has medaled in three consecutive Olympic Games. Tom's journey to where he is now has ebbed and flowed naturally; he talks about what he's learned, challenges that he has experienced, the joys of success and the bitterness of defeat, and how that has developed the framework of a growth mindset.

On one of your pages, you have a saying, and you seem to embody it with what you just said. It reads "Better is always better. No matter the amount, fail forwards, be brave, stay in the fight."

 What does that mean for you?  - Find out inside

Whether you're swimming laps at an indoor pool or practicing in the pool outdoors or in the open water, swim goggles are essential for seeing underwater and protecting your eyes from irritants like chlorine and saltwater. But we've all felt what it's like to swim using pairs that don't work as well as they should. How do you select the best swimming goggles? A few questions first, what type of swimmer are you?  

Do you like to swim for fun? 

Are you swimming for exercise?

Are you a competitive swimmer?

Choosing a product based on use can be important. However, it would be best if you decided based on fit. 

First, let's dispel the swim goggle suction test...it is an irrelevant test. The tension found in the material of a one-piece goggle or an adjustable noise piece creates rigidity in the goggle's horizontal flexibility that will work to retain its shape. You need to put the straps on and feel the gaskets fit when you are wearing it.

We spoke with Sean Baker of the Markham Aquatic Club. Sean has been a pillar of the Canadian swimming community for the past 30 plus years. He's had the opportunity to coach from coast to coast and has always strived to make swimming better in his community. He is unapologetic about winning, his desire to win, and his performance expectation so long as it's done in the right way. He's a proponent for athletic development and is a master of team building.

We all know...anecdotally that physical activity has a positive effect on mental health and our physical health. The research and evidence show, "Regular physical activity comprised of cardiovascular and resistance exercise has many mental health benefits. The longer you stick with your exercise schedule, and the more often you exercise, the more benefits you'll see. For example, research shows that regular physical activity can help with anxiety, stress, cognitive performance, and mood".

There are so many organizations big and small across Canada that provide programs for people of all ages. We have compiled information for swimming, triathlon and multisport programs below. 

The Missile goggle is the go-to goggle for so many swimmers worldwide - from youngsters up to those taking charge at the Olympic games. Why? Because the goggle works. Its inner orbital eye fit sits in the eye socket, creating a personal fit for so many & the adjustable nose pieces allow fitting on small and larger faces. As with all Vorgee products, the anti-fog is long-lasting.  Click read more & lets go through the features and highlight what you get with your purchase.

The perfect combination of products to care for your body, hair and swimwear in an eco-concious way.

The Vorgee Aqua Range features three components: A body wash, a hair rinse and bathing suit wash that the Aussie's like to call a "Tog" wash.