What inspired you to be a coach?
All my kids swim, and I ended up spending more time reading about swimming and listening to podcasts. It piqued my interest more than just about anything else I am interested in and I’ve loved it!

How long have you been coaching?
I’ve been coaching with AC since 2021. 

Can you share a bit of your background in the sport?
I began swimming on the swim team at the age of eight and swam competitively through high school. During this time I also participated in other sports, including downhill skiing and cross country running but swimming was always my favorite. I taught swim lessons at the swim center in high school and college. Throughout my college years and beyond, I swam with the masters team during breaks both in the pool and open water swims, mainly in the San Francisco Bay. I still enjoy lap swim but I don't find swimming alone to be very fun! 

What is your coaching philosophy?
One of my greatest strengths as a coach is that I am also a parent trying to balance family with multiple kids’ activities, and develop my children’s commitment to the sport. I use my experience to relate to what team families are going through. As a team, we have expectations from swimmers and families regarding timeliness, attendance, volunteerism, etc. I think that my parental perspective is useful and relatable to families on the team.

What is your role in a young person's life?
As a coach, my role is to create a secure and nurturing environment where swimmers can grow. I aim to be a consistent coach, offering both firm guidance and unwavering support, ensuring each swimmer develops not only as an athlete but also as a confident and resilient individual.  

Can you speak to a rewarding experience you have had in coaching?
One of my most fulfilling experiences in my coaching was witnessing a swimmer not only achieve their goals, but also mature and become more socially aware in the group, forming friendships and feeling like part of the team. It's very rewarding to see progress extend beyond the pool and positively impact the overall wellbeing of the individual. 

What does success mean to you?
Success is defined by the growth and achievements of the swimmers I coach, and a supportive and close knit swim family. It's not just about time goals but creating an environment where every swimmer feels valued, reaches their full potential, and forms lasting connections within our team. 

What are your goals for the team?
Our goal is to build a team that people are eager to join because of the team culture, results, and coaching. I want swimmers to invest effort not only in being good team members, but also being supportive team families. 

What is your favorite Petaluma restaurant?
Stellina Pronto and The Bagel Mill.

How have you seen Petaluma change over the years? (if you have been here for 5+ years)
I think Petaluma has become more inclusive and community focused.