Shawn Slevin started Swim Strong Foundation in 2006 to reduce unintended drowning by teaching water safety and swimming skill education. Swim Strong offers Learn to Swim (including Adaptive) through Competitive programs for ages 3 through Seniors. They have taught more than 10,000 students how to swim and given more than $1 Million in free swim lessons to families in need.

Swim Strong’s newest offering is “Know Before You Go™” series of four environmentally focused water safety educational programs which may be taught in person, remotely or in blended fashion. Shawn is a passionate advocate for water safety and has been featured in two documentary films, many articles, tv and radio appearances and been recognized for her community work by several local civic and governmental agencies and nationally by USA Swimming Foundation.

Tune in for this sensible conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.



Show Notes‍Segment 1

Tommy D introduces the show and talks about how the non-profit on today's episode is one that is close to his heart. Tommy emphasizes the importance of bringing non profit organizations on his show to give them recognition, because according to him they are often overlooked. Tommy then introduces Shawn Slevin, the founder of ‘Swim Strong,’. Tommy Continues to talk about the work Swim Strong does, and how they have raised over 1 million dollars for the cause. Shawn takes the reins to talk about how she became a water safety advocate, and her story on being a drowning victim.

Segment 2

In this segment Tommy and Shawn dive into the large numbers of drowning victims, and how climate change is making it more necessary to know how to swim. According to Shawn, the increase of strength and number of storms has opened up an opportunity for people who don't have the skills to swim, to learn. Tommy reflects on his experience on living with the fear of water bodies, and transitions into talking about the various programs that Swim Strong has. Shawn takes the lead in this portion providing a summary of the various statistics on drowning. According to Shawn one of the more prominent parts of their non profit is that they teach them about the importance of water safety as well as teaching people how to swim. Swim Strong has reached out to whomever they can, and now have approximately 9000 students and 4 different programs that look at water safety from an environmental and seasonal point of view.

Segment 3

Tommy dives right in talking about the programs association with schools, but he asks about the post covid lockdown situation that has molded the entire program. Shawn mentions how due to covid they have seen more people who are dedicated to learning how to swim, and the skills they are learning here are being transported to other areas of their lives - they are even being able to create income out of this. Swim Strong has also been working very hard to bring swimming to places and communities that don’t have access to it. The non profit organization has been actively going into areas where people of color reside as according to shawn disadvantaged people should be able to learn life skills without struggle. Shawn also mentions a film that Swim Strong has been involved in with a production company, this film shows how people of color have been disadvantaged when it came to learning how to swim. Shawn also talks about all the packages they have at swim strong, from school based packages to individual packages.

‍Segment 4

Shawn talks about the various collaborations that Swim Strong is doing, especially in the environmental conservation field - as climate change increases and various water levels rise it is important to learn about water safety and how to swim. Swim Strong has partnered with the board of Education and several politicians to implement swimming and water safety into modern educational systems. Shawn plans to take this program global and has already implemented Swim Strong in 3 countries, with international sponsors. Tommy thanks shwan for being on the show and introduces ‘Always Freyday’, and says goodbye to the listeners/viewers.