“Why I Teach Swimming: My Mother’s Journey, My Purpose”

My story as a lifeguard and swim instructor begins long before I ever stepped into a pool. It begins with my mother.

She was four years old when she nearly drowned. Growing up in an immigrant family with very little money, swimming lessons weren’t even a consideration—they were a luxury her family simply couldn’t afford. After that traumatic experience, she carried a deep fear of water throughout her childhood and early adulthood. But she never let it defeat her.

When she turned 25, she made a decision that would change everything: she saved up her own money and signed herself up for swimming lessons.

It wasn’t easy. She was nervous. She was an adult learning something many people take for granted. But she showed up—again and again. And step by step, stroke by stroke, she conquered her fear. I grew up watching that kind of quiet courage. It taught me that swimming isn’t just a sport or a skill. It’s a symbol of resilience, determination, and growth.

Because of her, I was never afraid of the water. Because of her, I had access to lessons, safety, and the confidence that comes with knowing how to swim. And I knew I wanted to pay that forward.

Today, as a lifeguard and swim instructor, I carry my mother’s story with me. I teach not just to help people swim—I teach to empower them. I teach for those who were told it was “too late.” I teach for those who had to fight for every opportunity. And I teach to show that swimming is for everyone—regardless of where you come from, how old you are, or how afraid you feel.

My mother turned fear into strength.
Her journey became my inspiration.
And that’s the purpose I bring to every lesson I teach.

James Alexander