Chris DeSantis Coaching
The Blog

Notes on mindset, coaching, and the craft of sport.

Essays on Positive Psychology, talent development, and what it really takes to perform at your best.

Mindset

If You Have to Ask: The Answer is No

Often, when I'm coaching swimmers, I think to myself: "I'm not sure what's going on here. I better figure it out". I...

January 30, 2018 · 3 min read
Mindset

All of These Things Can Be True

On Friday night I couldn't sleep. Earlier that day, I'd found out what would later become public on Swimswam. Janelle Atkinson, who...

January 29, 2018 · 4 min read
Mindset

Coaches Need to Believe in Swimming’s Reckoning

Right now, the leading story in Olympic sports is Gymnastics. Specifically, the actions of one team "doctor" Larry Nassar, who was allowed by...

January 22, 2018 · 2 min read
Mindset

Kate Kovenock Is Bringing Brown Back From the Dead

A decade ago, Brown Swimming and Diving was in a dark place. In a league where you can practically set your watch...

January 16, 2018 · 2 min read
Mindset

Remember That Tom Brady Used To Be Lazy

I only loosely follow the American football, but I am told that Tom Brady of the New England Patriots is one of...

January 8, 2018 · 2 min read
Mindset

Three Things I was Dead Wrong About in 2017

A lot of people are putting up posts right now, collecting their best content of 2017. That sounded too boring and lazy...

January 3, 2018 · 3 min read
Mindset

Your 2018 Guide To Hating On Michael Andrew

The new year approaches, and with it brings promise. There is the opportunity of a new day, a time for reflection and...

December 21, 2017 · 4 min read
Mindset

Five Steps to Overcome Competition Anxiety

When I swam the last race of my college career, the thing I remember most is the horrible knot in my stomach....

December 19, 2017 · 3 min read
Mindset

Does USA Swimming Want Big Clubs?

Yesterday, USA Swimming announced its Club Excellence Results for 2018. Nations Capital Swim Club led the rankings for fourth consecutive year.  There are...

December 17, 2017 · 4 min read
Mindset

Put Down the Stopwatch and Watch Them Swim

My whole coaching career has been a battle with the stopwatch.  This simple piece of technology embodies both the biggest strengths and...

December 14, 2017 · 2 min read
Mindset

Should We Amputate the Olympics?

Last week, the extremely confusing news that Russia would be banned (kind of, sort of, ok maybe not really banned but we're going to...

December 11, 2017 · 2 min read
Mindset

Coaching is a Drug: How to Use it Well

Coaching is a drug. When you're a coach, you experience moments of pure euphoria. These are moments when someone you have been...

December 8, 2017 · 2 min read