For as long as I can remember, the water has been my second home.

I was fortunate to learn how to swim at a very young age thanks to my mom, who introduced me to the water and taught me that swimming wasn't just a sport, it was a life skill. That early foundation grew into a lifelong passion. I swam summer league, year-round club swimming, and eventually earned a spot on my high school varsity swim team as a freshman. My dream was to continue competing at the highest level, but a shoulder injury changed the direction of my competitive career.

While my path changed, my passion for aquatics never did.

Over the years, I've been fortunate to experience nearly every side of the aquatic industry. I've spent more than 10 years as a lifeguard, including serving as a beach lifeguard. I've been a Water Safety Instructor, swim coach, aqua fitness instructor, group fitness instructor, and even spent six years competing in bodybuilding while continuing to swim throughout my training. Every one of those experiences reinforced one simple truth:

Swimming is more than recreation; it is a life-saving skill.

That passion eventually became my career.

For more than 20 years, I've had the privilege of working alongside hundreds of instructors and aquatic professionals in over 127 countries, helping educate the industry on how to safely build, operate, maintain, and care for pools and aquatic facilities. I've also worked alongside jurisdictions, health departments, and state agencies to help adopt educational programs and raise industry standards, all with the goal of making aquatic environments safer for everyone.

Today, I continue that mission as the Director of Education & Events for The Grit Game, where I develop educational programs and training resources for the aquatics industry. I'm also the Wednesday host of the Talking Pools Podcast, where I bust common myths in the pool and aquatics industry while helping educate pool professionals, builders, service technicians, educators, and aquatic leaders around the world.

Today, that passion has come full circle.

As a mother to two incredible daughters, ages 4 and 6, I now have the privilege of teaching them the same lessons my mom taught me. We absolutely love the water, but we also understand that loving the water means respecting it. One of the greatest ways we can show that respect is by learning to swim, continuing to improve our skills, and helping others gain the confidence they need to be safe around water.

That is why this journey means so much to me.

This year, I'm taking on the Tennessee Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming—three marathon swims covering more than 21 miles.

Bridges to Bluffs (Knoxville, TN)
September 13, 2026
Swim Hobbs Island (Huntsville, AL)
September 20, 2026
Swim the Suck (Chattanooga, TN)
October 3, 2026

I'm not taking on this challenge simply to see how far I can swim.

I'm doing it to help ensure that more children have the opportunity to learn one of the most important life skills they can ever have—the ability to swim.

Through this challenge, I'm raising funds for Every Child A Swimmer (ECAS), an organization dedicated to expanding access to swim lessons and water safety education for children and families.

ECAS holds a special place in my heart because it was founded by a mother who tragically lost her daughter to drowning. Instead of allowing that tragedy to define her life, she turned it into a mission to save others. Today, ECAS provides swim lesson scholarships, educates parents, advocates for stronger water safety awareness, and works to ensure more children have the opportunity to learn this life-saving skill.

One of the things I admire most about ECAS is its transparency. Every dollar donated is tracked, allowing supporters to see exactly how their generosity is making a difference and helping provide swim lessons to children who otherwise may never have the opportunity.

Every sponsorship and every donation—no matter the size—helps a child gain confidence in the water, develop life-saving skills, and build a lifelong love and respect for aquatics.

These three swims are about far more than crossing finish lines.

They're about honoring the woman who first taught me to love the water.

They're about inspiring my daughters to carry that same passion forward.

They're about using both my personal and professional journey to help create a future where more children have the opportunity to learn this life-saving skill.

And they're about proving that one person can make a difference when others choose to join the journey.

How You Can Help

Whether you choose to sponsor my Tennessee Triple Crown journey, make a donation, or simply share this campaign with others, you are helping provide children with access to swim lessons that could one day save their lives.

Together, we can help more children gain confidence in the water, learn to swim, and come home safely.

"My mom taught me how to swim. Today, I'm teaching my daughters. Through this journey, I hope to help other children receive that same life-changing opportunity."

Because every child deserves the chance to learn to swim, gain confidence in the water, and come home safely.

Until Every Child Swims.

To wear your support for this mission, REP the Mission and order your shirt today: A Shirt That Gives Back (100% of Proceeds are donated by RevdUp Apparel to ECAS)

EVERY CHILD A SWIMMER

Every Child A Swimmer is on a mission to teach kids life-saving swimming skills, ensuring safety and confidence in the water. By providing access to essential swim education, we aim to reduce drowning risks and empower children with a lifelong skill.

Join the movement—whether by spreading awareness, supporting programs, or advocating for swim education, you can help make swim lessons accessible for every child. Because Every child in the world should be educated and trained in water safety.

Swimming is the only sport that has the potential to save your life. 🏊 Visit Every Child A Swimmer

She Swims So They Can