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

Do What Leads to Growth

Within the swimming world, I’ve encountered a dichotomy when it comes to Masters Swimming. First, the types of people you meet at...

March 13, 2025 · 4 min read
Mindset

Fat Tailed Coaching

This past collegiate season, I’ve been working with a team that been competing at a very high level, both over the long...

February 27, 2025 · 6 min read
Mindset

Coaching Coaches: Head Honchos

I remember vividly when I first became a “head“coach. In early July of 2013, I was standing on the pool deck of...

February 19, 2025 · 5 min read
Mindset

Actually Addressing Coach Behavior

Today I woke up to this article on Swimswam. To summarize, a ten-time conference coach of the year, and her assistant coach,...

February 12, 2025 · 5 min read
Mindset

Make Up Your Own Mind

Having recently completed a trip abroad, I’m struck once again by how small the swimming world is. Even in Sweden, with nominally...

February 6, 2025 · 3 min read
Mindset

What Empathy Is (And Isn’t)

One of the problems I have consistently encountered is that when terminology goes viral, it often loses it’s true meaning. Today I...

January 29, 2025 · 3 min read
Mindset

Build Analytical Systems for Thinkers

I grew up without religion. Despite that, there are some turns of phrase that transcend religion and just become part of the...

January 23, 2025 · 5 min read
Mindset

Competitive Margins

Two days ago, bundled up for a frigid run with my wife, I found myself thinking about my upcoming podcast interview with...

January 7, 2025 · 4 min read
Mindset

Critiques Hurt When They Ring True

If you coach, then you will not be able to avoid making critiques. Even in the world of Positive Psychology, where there...

December 17, 2024 · 4 min read
Mindset

What is the Value of Narcissism?

One of the universal experiences of parenting is that you severely underestimate how much time your children will demand your attention. There...

December 10, 2024 · 6 min read
Mindset

Lia Thomas is the Most Famous Swimmer

Earlier this week I was reading a wild interview in the Economist with Argentinian president Javier Milei. While the magazine headline was...

December 4, 2024 · 4 min read
Mindset

Goal Setting is For Everyone

Goal setting is something that is almost universal in the sport of swimming. A coach sits down with an athlete and the...

November 20, 2024 · 6 min read