Psychological | Mediterra Swim & Run

How Long Will It Take?

by Coach Mat | 31 Oct, 2015

How long will it take to integrate this skill so that I can do it without thinking so much? That is a version of the question I hear from time to time. It is a good question with a very complicated answer, if I were to attempt to personalized it for each person who...

Why Build Skill?

by Coach Mat | 19 Sep, 2015

If you are reading this blog, most likely you are interested in improving your swimming skill, whether you are a fitness, competitive or adventure swimmer. So, you don’t really need to be convinced of this further. But, like me, you certainly notice the majority...

Thinking Clearly

by Coach Mat | 12 Sep, 2015

Here is another book I must recommend for you: The Art Of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli. It was just what I was looking for lately in my research when I ran across it in the airport bookstore – a list and brief description of fifty common cognitive biases...

Building A Bridge

by Coach Mat | 22 Aug, 2015

I want to expand upon the topic of Overcoming Swimming Fear, but from a different angle – I want to address the fear of expanding motivation, expanding one’s orientation for swimming. Everyone may have a blend of motives for swimming, but each may be able...

Perceived Danger Zone

by Coach Mat | 8 Aug, 2015

This is a diagram I made to supplement my thoughts in the previous essay on Overcoming Swimming Fears. I just want to outline the subject in this post, while I can see the opportunity to expand a lot on each section of this diagram. Zone A – Personal Comfort...

Overcoming Swimming Fears

by Coach Mat | 1 Aug, 2015

You may have heard it said something like this: there is no courage except in the presence of fear. Fear is what makes courage meaningful. *** The day before the Bosphorus Cross-Continental Race, while sitting at lunch on the boat during our pre-race training and...