Discover the Power of Swimming with Shana Lorde from Let Us Swim

In our first podcast episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with Shana, the founder of Let Us Swim. Shana’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of swimming, not just as a sport but as a lifelong skill that fosters resilience, recovery, and community.

Shana’s love for swimming began at a young age. She started competing internationally in Germany, Spain, Moscow, and Amsterdam, and continued her passion through college. However, the intense demands of balancing academics and rigorous training led to burnout, prompting Shana to step back from competitive swimming.

After college, Shana joined the military, where she discovered a new dimension of swimming—as a therapeutic exercise for recovery. This experience reignited her passion for teaching others the benefits of swimming. Despite her initial reluctance to turn her passion into a business, a tragic event—the drowning of twin girls in Pompano Beach, Florida—motivated her to establish Let Us Swim. This heartbreaking incident highlighted the urgent need for accessible swimming education, especially in communities where swimming is not a common skill.

Let Us Swim is not just about teaching kids to swim; it’s about reeducating Black youth about their historical connection to water. Shana emphasizes that Black people have always been ‘water people,’ and she aims to dismantle the stereotype that Black kids don’t swim. By incorporating educational elements into swimming lessons, such as story time and discussions about Black athletes in aquatics, Let Us Swim provides a holistic approach to swimming education.

One of the unique aspects of Let Us Swim is its focus on adaptive swimming. Shana specializes in teaching children with autism, leveraging her medical background to create effective, inclusive lessons. She believes that every child, regardless of their abilities, can learn to swim and benefit from the physical and emotional advantages it offers.

Shana’s mission is clear: to make Let Us Swim a household name, recognized for its innovative and inclusive approach to swimming education. She envisions expanding internationally, bringing her unique teaching methods to communities around the world.

Join us in this inspiring episode as Shana shares her journey, her challenges, and her unwavering commitment to making swimming accessible to all. Whether you’re a parent, an educator, or someone passionate about aquatics, this episode offers valuable insights and motivation to dive into the world of swimming.

Don’t miss out—listen to the full episode now and be inspired by Shana’s dedication to creating a safer, more inclusive swimming community.

For the episode transcript, click here

---