What I talk about when I talk about swimming...

I'm about to begin my struggle with nature and myself... My coach is giving me the final instructions behind me, 'Take the bearing towards the peak, you won't be able to see the buoys.' I have to jump now, and I'm cautious because it's my first time. I descend the stairs slowly, entering the water gradually. I've jumped now, there's no turning back... It's a make-it-or-break-it situation...

It's quite crowded around me, many swimmers like me... I started later to avoid getting influenced, but still, there were a few who bumped into me for a while. Everyone is on their own, everyone in their own race here, at least until the race is over and the scores appear on the screen. Although I started slowly at first to conserve my energy, the open sea start was tougher than I expected. The bearing was lost, and I found myself searching for the buoys, losing my way for a while. When I lifted my head, there were officials shouting in my ear, 'To the left, to the left!' Yes, I understood the direction I needed to go, but despite my best efforts, I couldn't seem to swim in the right direction... I even thought I was standing still at one point and looked back.

I didn't give up. I continued swimming in my own way. When I made the turn, I felt relieved, thinking I had overcome the difficulty, but this time, swimming against the waves challenged me. Normally, I would open up and go on autopilot in the water after a while, but it didn't happen this time. Seeing the other competitors beside me gave me strength, and this time, I kept my course. It turns out that if you stay on the right path, no one interferes with your direction in the race... When I targeted the finish line, everything in my mind was okay, and for the first time, I had completed the 2K distance in the Heybeliada Open Sea Race in Istanbul.

Since the moment I started my professional coaching career, there have been many instances where I likened my swimming experiences to coaching sessions. The resemblance between two things that share some common aspects is called an"analogy"... It became a tool I really liked using during my sessions, inspiring me to advance and improve both swimming and coaching together. In both, I get lost when I start, and I always come out with learnings. Both add great flavor to my life. And my recent experience in the Heybeliada Race told me the following:

• My starting moment and the support of my swimming coach: Don't hesitate to seek support until the very last moment.

• Colliding swimmers: Don't perceive life's obstacles as personal, the only obstacle is you!

• Not giving up: Even if you think you're stuck in one place, keep moving forward...

• The moment I saw the finish line: If the target is visible, the it becomes easier to reach your goals.

Do you also have similar analogies in your life?

Please do share and get in touch with me. I'd also love to provide further information on how I can assist you through T!NK.