We were lucky to catch up with Grant House recently and have shared our conversation below.

Grant, appreciate you joining us today. Looking back at internships and apprenticeships can be interesting, because there is so much variety in people’s experiences – and often those experiences inform our own leadership style. Do you have an interesting story from that stage of your career that you can share with us?

Hi, I’m Grant House, and I’m going to share a story with you from back when I was an intern with EXOS in the Phoenix Arizona training facility location in the fall of 2021. EXOS is a company that provides performance training, nutrition, and physical therapy for elite athletes, military personnel, and corporate executives. I was lucky enough to work with some of the most talented coaches and trainers in the industry and learn from their expertise and experience.

One of the most impactful lessons I learned during my internship was how important it was to work with a diverse range of clients, not just the most elite athletes in the MLB or NFL. I realized that every person has their own goals, challenges, and needs, and that as a coach, I had to adapt my approach and communication style accordingly. I also learned how to build rapport and trust with different age groups, from 14 to 60 years old, and how to motivate them to achieve their best results.

One of the most memorable moments of my internship was when I had to race the development baseball group in 10×100-yard relay running efforts. The baseball players were curious about how fast I was as a swimmer, and they challenged me to a friendly competition. I agreed, thinking it would be a fun way to break the ice and show them what I could do. Little did I know that they were all very fast runners and that they had a lot of stamina. The race was intense, and I had to push myself hard to keep up with them. After each sprint, we would cheer each other on and joke around. By the end of the session, we were all exhausted, but also laughing and happy. The activity actually gained me a lot of trust and buy-in from the younger athletes, who saw me as more than just an intern, but as a fellow competitor and friend.

That’s one of the stories that I like to look back on from my internship with EXOS. It taught me how to connect with different types of clients, how to challenge myself and others, and how to have fun while working hard. I think these are valuable skills that have helped me in my career as a coach and leader.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi, I’m Grant House, and I’m a professional swimmer and a sports law and business student. I’m going to tell you a bit about myself, how I got into swimming, what I do, and what I stand for.

I grew up in a family of swimmers. My mother and father both swam, and so did my older brother and sister, who both swam in college. They are my biggest role models, and they taught me how to love and respect the sport. My mother is one of nine siblings, and eight of them swam. Swimming is in my blood, and I started swimming at a young age.

I always had a passion and a talent for swimming, and I worked hard to improve my skills and performance. I competed in high school, where I won multiple state titles and set several records. I also competed in national and international events, where I represented Team USA and earned medals and honors. I was recruited by Arizona State University, where I swam for four years and graduated with a degree in business communication. I also qualified for the Olympic trials in 2016 and 2020, and I’m currently training for the 2024 Olympics.

Besides swimming, I also have a strong interest in sports law and business. I want to help athletes achieve their potential and protect their rights. That’s why I enrolled in the Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law Master’s of Sports Law and Business graduate program at Arizona State University. This program combines legal, business, and ethical aspects of sports, and prepares students for careers in sports management, governance, compliance, and advocacy. In addition to these efforts, I also run Swim clinics throughout the year! If you’re interested please reach out via phone or email included below!

One of the issues that I’m passionate about is the name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights of college athletes. NIL rights allow athletes to profit from their personal brand, such as endorsing products, signing autographs, or creating content. I believe that college athletes deserve to have more control over their own identity and income, especially since they generate millions of dollars for their schools and the NCAA. That’s why I’m involved in an NIL lawsuit against the NCAA, along with other current and former college athletes. We are challenging the NCAA’s rules that restrict NIL compensation for college athletes, and we are seeking fair compensation and recognition for our contributions to college sports.

These are some of the things that I do and care about as a swimmer and a sports law student. What sets me apart from others is my dedication, passion, and integrity. I always strive to excel in everything I do, whether it’s swimming, studying, or advocating. I also love to share my experiences and insights with others who are interested in swimming or sports law. I have a website where you can find more information about me, my achievements, my services, and my contact details. You can also follow me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, where I post updates, photos, videos, tips, and stories about my swimming journey.

I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished so far, but I’m also hungry for more. My ultimate goal is to compete in the Olympics and win a medal for Team USA. I also want to make a positive impact on the sports industry and society as a whole. I want to be a role model for young athletes who aspire to follow their dreams. I want to be a leader who advocates for change and justice. And I want to be a person who brings good energy to everything I do.

phone: 513-917-2549
email: [email protected]

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson that I had to unlearn was that I always needed to just work harder in everything in life. This lesson was ingrained in me since I was a child, and it motivated me to pursue my dream of becoming an Olympic gold medalist in swimming. I was willing to sacrifice everything for this goal, even my education and my college career. In 2019, I removed myself from school academia and from competing in the NCAA, and focused solely on training for the Olympic trials.

However, working harder does not always mean working better. I learned this the hard way when I pushed my body too hard without enough rest and recovery. Four months into this process, I completely fractured two of my ribs during a practice session, and I was in excruciating pain. I couldn’t swim or train for months. Unexpectedly though, everybody I missed the opportunity to qualify for the 2020 Olympics because of covid that year. The Olympic games had been postponed for 1 full calendar year. I had 1 full year to heal. 1 more full year to get better than I currently was.

This was a devastating setback for me, but it also taught me a valuable lesson. I realized that I had to work smarter, not only harder. I had to listen to my body, respect its limits, and balance my intensity with adequate rest and nutrition. I also had to diversify my interests, hobbies, and goals, and not put all my eggs in one basket. I decided to resume my studies, rejoin my college team, and explore other aspects of life besides swimming.

Working smarter has helped me improve my performance, health, and happiness. I have recovered from my injury, regained my confidence, and rekindled my passion for swimming. I have also expanded my knowledge, skills, and network through my education and social activities. I have learned to appreciate the journey more than the destination and to enjoy the process more than the outcome.

I still have the dream of becoming an Olympic gold medalist, but I no longer let it define me or consume me. I have unlearned the lesson of working harder at all costs, and learned the lesson of working smarter with balance. This has made me a better athlete, student, and person.

Any advice for managing a team?

One of the advice I have for managing a team and maintaining high morale is to praise the pieces to the process of improvement and the journey for every member of the team. I believe that a leader should recognize and appreciate the efforts, contributions, and achievements of each team member, and celebrate their progress and growth. This can boost their confidence, motivation, and satisfaction, and make them feel valued and respected.

Another advice I have is to make some type of connection with each member. A leader should communicate effectively, listen actively, and empathize sincerely with each team member. A leader should also show interest in their personal and professional lives, and support their goals and aspirations. This can build trust, rapport, and loyalty, and make them feel cared for and understood.

A third advice I have is to put them in roles that challenge them and roles that allow them to flourish fully too. A leader should assign tasks and responsibilities that match the skills, strengths, and passions of each team member, and that also push them to learn new things and develop new abilities. A leader should also provide feedback, guidance, and resources to help them succeed and grow. This can stimulate their creativity, curiosity, and productivity, and make them feel engaged and fulfilled.

These are some of the advice I have for managing a team and maintaining high morale. I think that by following these advice, a leader can create a positive, supportive, and inspiring work environment for the team, and help them achieve their collective and individual goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://grantdouglashouse.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitochondria_house/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grant.house.5/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/granthouse/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/HousetheMouse
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@Mitochondria_House
• Other: Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mitochondria_house?lang=en Snapchat https://snapchat.com/add/power_house19?sender_web_id=23bea0ab-320e-4dc4-8d16-86733eb54f86&device_type=desktop&is_copy_url=true

Image Credits
Mia Jones Asher Kerr