In this episode of the You Can Play Podcast, David Thibodeau — a longtime swim coach, Canada Games board member, and policy professional for the Government of Canada — reflects on what it means to bring your full self to sport.

David shares his journey from coming out as an athlete to later coming out as a coach, and the fears that came with being openly gay while working with young swimmers and their families. He speaks about the power of visibility, signals, and symbols — from small cues like rainbow shoelaces to big ones like inclusive signage at major events — and how these gestures set the tone for belonging before anyone even dives in.

He also talks about recognizing exclusion in subtle moments — a comment, a lane assignment, a missed conversation — and how coaches can respond with empathy instead of judgment. His message is simple but vital: authenticity isn’t just freeing for the coach; it improves performance, deepens trust, and reminds every athlete that being yourself is the real win.