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- When Air Doesn't Come In...
We just wrapped up our first two Unlock Your Fearless Swimmer retreats of 2025 in San Juan…
And they were magical.
Complete swimming transformations happened daily.
BUT…
there was one pattern we saw in almost every swimmer:
They’d lift their head to breathe...
Their mouth would open
They would want & need air
But… Nothing. Would. Happen.
NO AIR would come in.
This can be a scary experience for new swimmers.
So what the heck do we do about it?
This wasn’t a lung problem.
It wasn’t a technical problem.
It was a foundation problem.
Think about it…
Your nervous system has spent 20,30, or 40+ years NOT breathing in water…
The entire time it has been saying: “Danger, Danger Danger”
So, your brain short-circuits your breath.
The body says: not safe → no breath.
It’s a nervous system response, not a skill issue.
So what’s the solution?
We don’t start with swim drills.
We don’t practice gasping while kicking.
We go back to the only thing that matters:
Feel calm. Then move. Then breathe.
Follow this simple 3-step process:
Stand + breathe with wall support « watch the video
Walk through the water while breathing « watch the video
Then breathe while swimming « watch the video
Over and over again.
Until breath becomes natural, not forced.
This works — every time.
And when it clicks?
You’ll never forget the feeling of breathing calmly… while gliding through water for the first time.
If you’ve ever felt like you can’t breathe — even when you know you’re “doing it right”…
You’re not broken.
You’re just building your foundation in the wrong order.
Take a step back.
Follow our process outlined above.
Allow yourself time & space.
It. WILL. Happen!
And… if you want more support, consider joining us…
At the Unlock Your Fearless Swimmer Retreat in June and August, we’ll spend five days rebuilding your nervous system and your technique side by side.
You’ll walk into the pool with fear...
You’ll walk out with freedom.
June 23rd - 29th 2025 & August 18-24th 2025 – San Juan, Puerto Rico
Together, WE are unstoppable!
BIG LOVE,
Coaches Jeff & Meredith
P.S. Give yourself space and grace when learning to breathe!
This skill can take time. Allow yourself the time and show yourself love along the way.
It's not a race 🙂