Podcast Summary: Becoming NEXTonSCENE™
Episode: From Fear to Float: Rewriting the Narrative Around Swimming and Self-Worth
Release Date: July 31, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "From Fear to Float: Rewriting the Narrative Around Swimming and Self-Worth," Jackie Zuck, host of Becoming NEXTonSCENE™, welcomes listeners to an inspiring conversation with Timothy Heffron, the founder of Swim with Tim Inc. Tim shares his journey as a swim instructor, business owner, and his personal battles with mental health. The episode delves deep into overcoming fear, fostering self-worth through swimming, and maintaining mental well-being while running a successful business.

Guest Background and Swim with Tim's Genesis

Timothy Heffron opens up about his extensive 35-year involvement in swimming, from childhood as a swimmer to coaching and teaching at the collegiate level. He discusses the founding of Swim with Tim Inc., which has been operational for eight years. Tim highlights the challenges in the New England swimming scene, emphasizing the lack of comprehensive training beyond basic water safety. His mission was to cultivate a program that not only ensures safety but also develops competitive swimmers.

Timothy Heffron [04:38]: "Swimming in New England has always been kind of not very good. My goal was to eliminate that because I really believe that there is a lot of talent up here in New England for swimming."

Overcoming Fear in Swimming

Jackie and Tim explore the prevalent fear of water among both children and adults. Tim explains the importance of building trust with instructors to alleviate these fears. For young children, it's about ensuring they feel safe away from their parents, while adults require a different approach focused on verbal communication rather than physical reassurance.

Timothy Heffron [07:20]: "It's about building trust... Kids that are really fearful, if you just put them with the same person all the time, you can tend to have. You can tend to stall."

Tim emphasizes that once individuals overcome their initial fear, they quickly progress and find joy in swimming, transforming their experience from survival to a source of fun and confidence.

Scaling a Trust-Based Service Business

The discussion shifts to Tim's experiences in scaling his business. He identifies two critical lessons: building and retaining a highly trained staff and ensuring strategic, sustainable expansion. Tim praises his team members, highlighting their expertise and the trust they've built with clients, which in turn fosters client loyalty and business growth.

Timothy Heffron [12:09]: "Maintaining and training and retaining good staff... you just mentioned one of them when you started mentioning my staff."

Tim asserts that a well-maintained staff is foundational to delivering exceptional service and retaining clients, which is a universal truth across businesses.

Mental Health Journey and Leadership

A significant portion of the episode delves into Tim's personal mental health journey. He candidly discusses living with bipolar ADHD personality disorder and how it has influenced his leadership style and business operations. Tim recounts the intense period when he started Swim with Tim Inc., working up to 20 hours a day, which exacerbated his manic episodes. Through this experience, he discovered the therapeutic benefits of swimming, which became both his passion and a coping mechanism.

Timothy Heffron [19:55]: "Teaching swim with Tim... is probably one of the most therapeutic things I've ever done for myself."

Tim emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, seeking help, and the necessity of accountability in managing mental health, especially as an entrepreneur.

Daily Routine and Self-Care

Jackie inquires about Tim's daily routine and how he incorporates self-care amidst his busy schedule. Tim describes a hectic day starting early, juggling business responsibilities, medical appointments, and limited self-care activities such as IV fluids, red light therapy, and regular grooming. Despite the chaos, Tim acknowledges the critical role of self-care in maintaining his mental health.

Timothy Heffron [29:03]: "I do some IV fluids on a bi-weekly basis... a little bit of self-care."

He also mentions his preference for auditory learning, which influences how he manages his time and responsibilities, relying more on listening than reading.

Building a Supportive Community

Tim discusses the expansion of his program to include underprivileged kids through initiatives like the Hope Floats program. He outlines the various locations where Swim with Tim operates, including Peabody, Salisbury, Methuen, and Danvers. Tim's vision is to create a comprehensive support system that nurtures swimmers from a young age, ensuring they receive proper training without the risk of burnout or injury.

Timothy Heffron [15:16]: "We want to be a gateway for people who want to start swimming young... and give them opportunities to learn at every level."

Future Plans and Expansion

Looking ahead, Tim shares his plans for Swim with Tim, which include hiring a head coach or assistant head coach for the swim team and enhancing enrollment in the Methuen location. He emphasizes the importance of strategic growth, ensuring that expansion is manageable and sustainable.

Timothy Heffron [32:56]: "We are still trying to get... some instructors... hoping that we can grow a little bit quicker and then, when the opportunity presents itself, jumping on the next opportunity."

Access and Community Engagement

Tim highlights the availability of Swim with Tim merchandise at their store in Peabody and encourages listeners to engage with the community through various social media platforms. He shares the story behind the unique spelling of "Swim with Tim," attributing the idea to his friend Sarah Enos.

Timothy Heffron [35:09]: "Sarah Enos, you get credit for thinking of Swim with Tim. That was her idea."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Jackie praising Tim's leadership, dedication, and the positive impact of Swim with Tim on both swimmers and the community. Listeners are encouraged to connect with Tim through his website and social media channels to enroll in classes or learn more about his programs.

Jackie Zuck [34:19]: "Tim, you're amazing. Everybody needs to check out Swim with Tim. No matter what age you are, you qualify."

Key Takeaways

• Overcoming Fear: Building trust with instructors is crucial for overcoming fear of water in both children and adults.

• Mental Health Awareness: Tim's openness about his bipolar ADHD personality disorder sheds light on the importance of seeking help and maintaining self-care.

• Business Scaling: Retaining a well-trained staff and strategic expansion are essential for the growth of a service-based business.

• Therapeutic Benefits of Swimming: For Tim, swimming serves as a therapeutic activity that aids in regulating mental health.

• Community Engagement: Initiatives like Hope Floats demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and supporting underprivileged children.

Notable Quotes

1. Timothy Heffron [07:20]: "It's about building trust. It's about letting them know that they're going to be okay."

2. Timothy Heffron [12:09]: "Maintaining and training and retaining good staff is very important."

3. Timothy Heffron [19:55]: "Teaching swim with Tim... is probably one of the most therapeutic things I've ever done for myself."

4. Jackie Zuck [34:19]: "Everybody needs to check out Swim with Tim. No matter what age you are, you qualify."

Final Thoughts

Becoming NEXTonSCENE™ masterfully intertwines the themes of personal growth, mental health, and business acumen through Tim Heffron's experiences. The episode serves as an inspiring testament to overcoming fears, the importance of mental well-being, and the impact of dedicated leadership in fostering self-worth and community support through swimming.