Episode
#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
2:18:35
Published: Sun Oct 29 2017
Description
This episode will forever have special meaning for me. While I didn't know it at the time, this ended up being the final long-form interview with Terry Laughlin (@TISWIM). Terry passed away from cancer complications on October 20, just two weeks after we recorded this interview.Terry was the founder of Total Immersion Swimming and co-author of Total Immersion: The Revolutionary Way To Swim Better, Faster, and Easier. He had a profound impact on me -- teaching me to overcome a lifelong fear of water and swimming (read all about it here). But more than that, he's been an inspiration for the way I've done anything since.Terry coached three college and two USA Swimming club teams from 1973 to 1988, improving each team dramatically. In that time, he developed 24 national champions at all strokes and distances -- the first national champions produced by four different teams.In 1989, Terry founded Total Immersion and turned his focus from working with young, accomplished swimmers to adults with little experience or skill (like me). But it's not just about swimming; Terry's elegant method of deconstruction and logical progression is the epitome of what I strive to do when I'm talking about learning any skill -- from investing to learning languages.It's with a heavy heart but much gratitude that I was able to interview Terry before he passed. Please enjoy, savor, and digest what Terry had to impart. And be sure to check out Terry's gift for listeners to this podcast: a free seven-day membership to the Total Immersion Academy online training center.***If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. I also love reading the reviews!For show notes and past guests, please visit tim.blog/podcast.Sign up for Tim’s email newsletter (“5-Bullet Friday”) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Visit tim.blog/sponsor and fill out the form.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss YouTube: youtube.com/timferrissPast guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, and many more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Chapters
In this podcast episode, Tim Ferriss speaks with Terry Loughlin about the importance of embracing life and taking action towards our goals before it's too late.
00:00 - 09:56 (09:56)
Summary
In this podcast episode, Tim Ferriss speaks with Terry Loughlin about the importance of embracing life and taking action towards our goals before it's too late. Through personal stories and experiences, they emphasize the urgency of living in the present moment and not waiting for a future that may never come.
Episode#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker describes how he improved his swimming skills in just seven to ten days by practicing in the ocean, following a book, and using hand paddles, despite the misconception that swimming is not low impact.
09:56 - 17:47 (07:50)
Summary
The speaker describes how he improved his swimming skills in just seven to ten days by practicing in the ocean, following a book, and using hand paddles, despite the misconception that swimming is not low impact.
Episode#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The 97-year-old retired pediatric cardiologist, Paul, swam a 20-length routine in a 50-foot pool and improved his timing from 13 minutes to 12:53.
17:47 - 23:14 (05:27)
Summary
The 97-year-old retired pediatric cardiologist, Paul, swam a 20-length routine in a 50-foot pool and improved his timing from 13 minutes to 12:53. He continues to swim to keep himself healthy and active.
Episode#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Lachlan achieved the Red Cross swimmer badge and became an average swimmer by swimming laps and earning the 50 mile swim chart, without ever receiving any advice on technique except for a coach telling him to move arms slower.
23:14 - 28:50 (05:36)
Summary
Lachlan achieved the Red Cross swimmer badge and became an average swimmer by swimming laps and earning the 50 mile swim chart, without ever receiving any advice on technique except for a coach telling him to move arms slower.
Episode#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker gives tips on better swimming form such as breathing every third stroke, and notes a hierarchy in lap pools where faster swimmers occupy the first lane and slower swimmers the fourth lane.
28:50 - 39:04 (10:14)
Summary
The speaker gives tips on better swimming form such as breathing every third stroke, and notes a hierarchy in lap pools where faster swimmers occupy the first lane and slower swimmers the fourth lane. He also mentions using swimming as an escape from unpleasant duties during the swim season.
Episode#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
In this episode, the host interviews one of the world's most successful swimming coaches, Terry Laughlin, who shares his unconventional approach to coaching and how he helped his swimmers become world record holders.
39:04 - 46:41 (07:36)
Summary
In this episode, the host interviews one of the world's most successful swimming coaches, Terry Laughlin, who shares his unconventional approach to coaching and how he helped his swimmers become world record holders.
Episode#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker discusses how reality TV captures the progression of individuals from zero to hopefully their desired outcome.
46:41 - 55:52 (09:11)
Summary
The speaker discusses how reality TV captures the progression of individuals from zero to hopefully their desired outcome. They also touch on the risks of international corporate finance.
Episode#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker shares two stories of people struggling with swimming, one unable to go beyond two thirds of a 20 yard pool and the other flailing her head while trying to glide effortlessly.
55:52 - 1:00:47 (04:55)
Summary
The speaker shares two stories of people struggling with swimming, one unable to go beyond two thirds of a 20 yard pool and the other flailing her head while trying to glide effortlessly.
Episode#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker explains the step-by-step process of learning to juggle, starting with throwing a single ball and progressing to multiple balls.
1:00:47 - 1:06:06 (05:19)
Summary
The speaker explains the step-by-step process of learning to juggle, starting with throwing a single ball and progressing to multiple balls.
Episode#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Learn the key aspects of a proper freestyle swim technique including keeping your body mostly underwater, alternating between extended positions, and keeping your arm mostly underwater when in the fully extended position.
1:06:06 - 1:15:24 (09:18)
Summary
Learn the key aspects of a proper freestyle swim technique including keeping your body mostly underwater, alternating between extended positions, and keeping your arm mostly underwater when in the fully extended position.
Episode#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker emphasizes the importance of cultivating passionate curiosity in order to sustain long-term interest and progress in an activity, citing health clubs and his own experience with swimming as examples.
1:15:24 - 1:22:24 (07:00)
Summary
The speaker emphasizes the importance of cultivating passionate curiosity in order to sustain long-term interest and progress in an activity, citing health clubs and his own experience with swimming as examples.
Episode#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker shares how swimming creates a beneficial mental and emotional shift even if they're not improving their times, and how counting during weight training is meditative for them.
1:22:24 - 1:27:26 (05:02)
Summary
The speaker shares how swimming creates a beneficial mental and emotional shift even if they're not improving their times, and how counting during weight training is meditative for them. They also discuss someone's triumph in swimming at a workshop after using a hybrid technique between drilling and swimming.
Episode#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker shares tips on how to improve swimming technique, including practicing drills attentively and refining form, and testing different drills to find what works best for you.
1:27:26 - 1:34:07 (06:41)
Summary
The speaker shares tips on how to improve swimming technique, including practicing drills attentively and refining form, and testing different drills to find what works best for you. He also mentions a four-stroke camp for those who want to learn all four strokes.
Episode#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker discusses a self-coaching technique for swimming and shares his own experience of self-talk.
1:34:07 - 1:39:40 (05:33)
Summary
The speaker discusses a self-coaching technique for swimming and shares his own experience of self-talk. He also talks about how his mind was open to explore his potential and mentions another self-coaching technique of journaling.
Episode#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker shares their personal journey and emotional roller coaster of coping with a cancer diagnosis, including feelings of anger and anxiety, and seeking treatment for anxiety.
1:39:40 - 1:45:24 (05:44)
Summary
The speaker shares their personal journey and emotional roller coaster of coping with a cancer diagnosis, including feelings of anger and anxiety, and seeking treatment for anxiety.
Episode#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Total Immersion is a counterintuitive method of learning how to swim, that is easy to master and will make you see water and other skills in your life in a different way.
1:45:24 - 1:50:55 (05:31)
Summary
Total Immersion is a counterintuitive method of learning how to swim, that is easy to master and will make you see water and other skills in your life in a different way. With proper teaching and progression anyone can learn to swim with Total Immersion, even those who believe they cannot.
Episode#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
In this podcast, five principles for efficient swimming are discussed, including using a small leg flick to turn the hips, striving for a sleeker vessel, and the idea that most of what we know about swimming is wrong.
1:50:55 - 1:58:03 (07:08)
Summary
In this podcast, five principles for efficient swimming are discussed, including using a small leg flick to turn the hips, striving for a sleeker vessel, and the idea that most of what we know about swimming is wrong.
Episode#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Total Immersion Academy offers a seven-day free trial for their online swim academy which includes access to streaming and e-books with lots of information; visit total immersion academy dot com forward slash Tim to learn more.
1:58:03 - 2:03:53 (05:50)
Summary
Total Immersion Academy offers a seven-day free trial for their online swim academy which includes access to streaming and e-books with lots of information; visit total immersion academy dot com forward slash Tim to learn more.
Episode#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
In this episode, the speaker talks about his process of applying the same method he used to train himself in swimming to re-teaching himself how to drink, as a result of brain injury.
2:03:53 - 2:10:04 (06:11)
Summary
In this episode, the speaker talks about his process of applying the same method he used to train himself in swimming to re-teaching himself how to drink, as a result of brain injury.
Episode#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker reflects on how he maintains calm while swimming in rough water, comparing it to how he stays calm when surrounded by turbulence.
2:10:05 - 2:12:17 (02:12)
Summary
The speaker reflects on how he maintains calm while swimming in rough water, comparing it to how he stays calm when surrounded by turbulence. He also discusses the importance of making mistakes as a crucial step towards learning and growth.
Episode#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Despite battling stage four cancer, this author is continuing to write and share their story.
2:12:17 - 2:16:33 (04:15)
Summary
Despite battling stage four cancer, this author is continuing to write and share their story. The power of visualization and meditation is a key focus for them as they explore their changing identity through the writing process.
Episode#276: Terry Laughlin, The Master Who Changed My Life
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
This episode discusses the value of rest and quality sleep for improved performance, citing an example of how forced rest enabled better swimming performance.
2:16:33 - 2:18:32 (01:59)
Summary
This episode discusses the value of rest and quality sleep for improved performance, citing an example of how forced rest enabled better swimming performance.