Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hannah Freeman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Hannah, thanks for joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

I’ve been lucky to have many defining moments in my life, but one that truly transformed me was the moment I realized I would be a solo mother. I hadn’t planned on it. I was living on a sailboat, carried by the wind and the tides, when my son was conceived. It was a life of freedom, adventure, and movement. But when my partner left while I was pregnant, it felt like the wind had been taken from my sails—literally and figuratively.
The world I had known was no longer.
When Saylor was born, I faced a choice: go back to corporate America, hire a nanny, and see my child on weekends, or carve a new path—one that allowed me to be fully present as a mother while building something meaningful. I had to put aside everything I thought I knew about security, success, and survival, and instead, return to my joy, my element—the water.
The defining moment wasn’t just about choosing motherhood; it was about choosing how I would mother.
One day, when Saylor was eight weeks old, I found myself in a hot spring, cradling him in the warm, mineral-rich water. The moment I let him float, something shifted inside me. It wasn’t just the weightlessness of his tiny body in the water—it was the weightlessness of knowing I was exactly where I was meant to be. I felt a deep, undeniable knowing that this was my calling. Water had always been my sanctuary, my teacher, and now, it was my bridge to a new life. That moment gave birth not just to my son but to a vision—Held In Water was born.
I built my business, my community, and my motherhood on that foundation. I created a space where other parents, especially mothers, could find the same sense of connection, confidence, and calm in the water. It wasn’t just about teaching babies to swim; it was about holding them—and their mothers—through one of life’s biggest transitions.
That moment in the hot spring was more than just a memory; it was an awakening. It was the moment I realized that I wasn’t just surviving—I was becoming. And that has made all the difference.

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.

My name is Hannah, and I am the founder of Held In Water, a sanctuary for infants, mothers, and families to experience the healing power of water. I have spent over 20 years teaching water safety, aquatic therapy, and somatic water practices, blending my background in holistic health, child development, and hands-on healing modalities. My journey started long before I knew it, growing up in a communal environment where water, movement, and connection were integral to life.

Held In Water is more than just a swim school; it’s a philosophy. I teach infants and young children how to feel at home in water, emphasizing gentle, repetitive, and intuitive practices rather than fear-based survival methods. My work integrates body awareness, nervous system regulation, and deep bonding between parent and child.

Beyond working with infants, I also support mothers through pre- and postnatal water therapy, helping them reconnect with their bodies after birth. I design courses, online educational content, and in-person workshops that give families the tools to bring water into their daily lives in a meaningful way.

What sets Held In Water apart is the holistic approach. I don’t just teach swimming—I guide families into a lifelong relationship with water that is rooted in love, trust, and deep presence. I understand that water holds memories, emotions, and healing properties, and I use that knowledge to create transformative experiences for my clients.

I am most proud of the community that has grown around this work. Families come to me not just for lessons but for an experience that brings them closer—to each other and to themselves. It’s a space where parents learn to trust their instincts, where babies develop confidence, and where water becomes a place of joy and safety rather than fear.

For anyone new to my work, I want them to know that Held In Water is a space where they and their children will be seen, held, and supported. Whether you are looking for a way to introduce your baby to water, need healing postpartum support, or want to deepen your understanding of aquatic therapy, I welcome you to explore what we have created. This is more than just a business; it is a lifelong journey of connection, healing, and transformation.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I have taken a lot of trainings in my life—many that brought me great wisdom, but others that I had to unlearn. When I first started teaching in the 90s, the approach was very structured, focused on control. All children were treated the same, time-outs were used, and the emphasis was on rewards and punishments. Many swim schools still rely on fear-based teaching, conditioning children to fear failure rather than fostering a love for the water.

But when I started working in somatic therapies and became a mother myself, I saw things differently. I began talking less and listening more, following the body of the child, and realizing that no two children are alike. I especially love working with children on the spectrum—these children have taught me to unlearn so much by simply following their lead.

Instead of teaching through fear, I now teach with boundaries and guidance. I help children find trust in the water, rather than forcing them to adapt to rigid structures. This approach allows for deeper learning, confidence, and a natural relationship with the water. It has been one of the most profound lessons I’ve had to unlearn, and I am grateful for the children who have been my greatest teachers.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Water is an element that can bring up many emotions, not only for the child but for the parent or caregiver as well. I live in a small community part-time, and my reputation has been built entirely on trust—showing up, being accountable, following my word, and often going the extra mile or three.

My specialty is working with children who have fears, disabilities, and trauma. This is not something that can be rushed. Early on, I felt pressure—especially for financial reasons—to get children swimming as quickly as possible. But over time, I realized that true healing and confidence-building require patience. If a child has had a near-drowning experience, sometimes the first few lessons are spent simply sitting outside the pool together. If a parent lost their partner to drowning while pregnant, the approach must be gentle, slow, and deeply empathetic.

What has truly helped me build my reputation is trusting my gut and following my intuition. I don’t force a child into the water; I invite them into it. I teach with boundaries and guidance rather than fear. When you are sincere and love your work, people can feel that.

I am incredibly proud of the reputation I have built in my community, but more than anything, I am proud of the reputation I have with the children. When a parent sends me a video of their child playing “Mermaid Teacher Hannah” during bathtime, I know I have done my job well. That level of trust and joy is something that can’t be bought—it has to be earned.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://heldinwater.com
• Instagram: Heldinwater
• Facebook: heldinwater
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Heldinwater/community

Image Credits

all images are mine