TLF Interview with a Goldfish Swim School Employee!

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

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Thank you Goldfish for sponsoring this post. As always, content is 100% honest and my own.

Last week, my older two who are currently taking lessons at Goldfish Swim School got to interview (more like ramble and ask the most random questions) with their favorite swim instructor, Mr. Nate!  It was adorably entertaining and they had so much fun.  Although, now they think taking their glitter microphones to swim class each week is a thing ;)  I love how open GSS was to this idea and how they took time out of their schedules to do this for us.  Just another reason why we love Goldfish!  (watch their interview here)


A little bit about Nate Slack. He is a senior at Indiana University where he is studying social studies education in hopes to be a high school history/economics/geography teacher. In addition to swimming he loves biking, hiking, camping – pretty much anything outdoors. If he isn't outside, he is usually reading or watching TV (mainly sports – go Pacers, Colts, and Hoosiers!). He is always willing to talk about anything to do with history and social studies. His favorite historical figures are President Teddy Roosevelt, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and Civil War general and Senator Carl Schurz.

Q & A with a Goldfish Employee:

1. What is your swimming background?

I have been swimming for a majority of my life. I was thrust into swim lessons at a young age, 2 or 3 years old, and by 7 years old I began to swim in my neighborhood rec league every summer. It wasn’t until I turned 10/11 that I began to swim competitively at Carmel Swim Club for over a decade. In high school I joined the Carmel High School swim team where I was apart of two state championship teams. Upon graduating high school, I attended Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana where I swam on their swim team for two years. I then “retired” and transferred to Indiana University in Bloomington to continue my studies. In addition to being a swimmer, I have also coached and taught swimming since my freshman year in high school. From coaching in summer leagues to a summer position at Carmel Swim Club coaching middle schoolers and high schoolers to my current job teaching lessons at Goldfish Swim School, I have spent most of my life in or around a pool.


2. What are jumpstart clinics and why do you recommend them?

Jumpstart clinics at Goldfish are a week of lessons with the same teacher at the same time, five days in a row. You can sign up week by week during the months of June and July. Jumpstarts are incredibly beneficial for young swimmers for a number of reasons. Jumpstarts condense 5 weeks of lessons into five days with the same teacher, which can help establish trust and confidence in the water right away. Being in the water five days in a row and not having to wait a whole week to get back in the pool is incredibly beneficial for young swimmers that are beginning to get comfortable in the water. Jumpstarts are also great for swimmers who are already comfortable in the water and are just looking to brush up on their skills right before the summer pool season. And for more advanced swimmers, Jumpstarts are perfect for getting some extra instruction that can help them become stronger and faster swimmers.




3. How long have you been with Goldfish Swim School?


I began my time with Goldfish the summer right after my freshman year of college, when I was 19. Because I went to school outside of Carmel, Indiana, I only worked at Goldfish during the summer months when I would move back home. At 23 years old now, I have since moved back to Carmel and will be looking forward to my fifth summer at Goldfish Swim School.



4. As a GSS employee, why do you recommend Goldfish Swim School?


I cannot say enough great things about Goldfish Swim School. At Goldfish, our focus encompasses and all-around experience for all families and their swimmers. The fun and inviting atmosphere provided by our great staff helps swimmers and families feel comfortable in the water. The curriculum and teachers do a wonderful job at pushing swimmers all while being patient and comforting towards swimmers who have not yet gained confidence. Building trust and confidence in young swimmers drives every teacher to do their best when teaching. While learning to swim is our focus, safety is our priority. The swim teachers, lifeguards, supervisors, front desk, and managers all have the safety of each patron at the front of their mind at all times. At Goldfish we are constantly working to ensure everyone is safe both in and out of the water. We make sure teachers are constantly watching every child and each lifeguards ensures that everyone on the pool deck and in the water is safe and secure. We value safety above all else and I would say that our focus on safety sets us apart.


As a parent, I love knowing that my girls are getting lessons from strong swimmers and that Goldfish Swim School trains their employees thoroughly, especially when it comes to swim safety.  I know my girls are getting the best teachers and being taught all the right swimming techniques to become strong swimmers themselves!


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Quality Drinking Water for Breastfeeding Moms AND Formula Fed Babies

Monday, April 29, 2019

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ParentingWithPrimoH20 #CollectiveBias 

I drink a lot of water, like 100 ounces a day.  Quality water is so important to me not only because my family & are consuming it, but also because it's how I feed my twin babies.  I've been breastfeeding strong for almost 7 months now and making sure my water intake is high is key to keeping up with two little ones.  With that being said, feeding two babies is hard and I don't always have time to pump, which means if I want to go out and do something (let's be real, grocery shop), then the twins will get a bottle of formula if needed.  I don't feel guilty when they get formula because we all know fed is best and I also know that quality water is being provided to them in their formula with the Primo® First Steps Bottom-Loading Water Dispenser. Did you know that the tap water right in your own home can actually be dangerous to your family, especially your little ones?  A lot of tap water sources are treated with fluoride, which poses concerns for babies. Pound for pound, a baby’s body can’t filter contaminants like adults can. For these reasons, babies need to be drinking purified water only.​ If there’s one thing Primo knows, it’s that you want a happy and healthy life for your child from start to finish. Why wait to start introducing healthy habits? The First Steps Water Dispenser is the  perfect way to give your baby better water right from the get-go.


My favorite part about the Primo First Steps Bottom-Loading Water Dispenser is the warm feature that allows for the perfect temperature for a baby bottle.  That means there is no wait time when feeding twins.  We all know how one hangry baby can get, throw another in the mix and well, Primo has saved my husband's sanity when I'm gone.  It also comes with a feeding chart to keep track of your baby's feedings, which is great feature for new moms who are sleep deprived or a mom of four (like myself) who has a serious case of mom brain.


The dispenser provides cold, warm or hot drinking water with the warm option supplying water at 98.6-104o Fahrenheit—specially designed for mixing baby formula.  I also love that the piping-hot water has child-resistant safety feature.  With a five and three year old at home too, this is very important.  It's great that they can get water themselves and stay safe in doing so. 


Primo® is the only brand that delivers best in class dispensers for the home + bulk water in either pre-filled exchange bottle or do-it-yourself refill bottles.​ The dispenser uses 3 or 5-gallon water bottles (sold separately), and you can easily find new ones at a retailer near you on the Primo Website! It sets up in minutes so you can start hydrating in no time- no tools, plumbing or installation required. Plus, the easy bottom-loading design allows you to just push the bottle in the cabinet, easy. The Primo First Steps Bottom-Loading Water Dispenser has easily become our favorite way to stay hydrated and my favorite way to give formula to my little ones.  It's a must have for all families! If you're expecting, be sure to throw the Primo First Steps Bottom-Loading Water Dispenser​ on your registry- you'll be glad you did!




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