We recently connected with Lisa Hogge and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lisa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

When I was a little girl, my dad always took me swimming. He would get in the water with me, and he always made me feel safe. His confidence in and around water always made me feel a sense of strength and reassurance. Swimming was indeed a beautiful thing, and water was something that I learned to value and respect.

My mom was also incredibly supportive. She signed me up for swimming lessons at a very young age, she was always making sure I went to lessons and it was important to her that I was confident and safe around all types of open water.

As I grew older, it became very apparent to me that water was a calming element in my life. The water became a whole new world for me , and I had this incredible desire to become a really good swimmer..

My work ethic started at age 14 , when my dad helped me find my first job. I was a stock girl for a women’s clothing store for plus sized woman. I was grateful that I learned to work at such a young age..

I also realized two things from my first work experience.
1). I knew how much I enjoyed working, but I also realized how important it was for me to be with people and engage in conversation.
2). I learned to love fashion from my first job and have had a love for clothing ever since I was a teenager..
My parents gave me experiences to help me discover where my talents were and how to achieve goals at a very young age.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

About twenty three years ago, I was introduced to a fabulous method of teaching survival swimming to infants and young children.. At the time, I had a two year old daughter who was my EVERYTHING. I wanted her to love the water like I always have.. After my daughter took her first session with Pam Young, who was her Master Instructor, I was sold on this method of teaching children to swim at a very young age.
When Kailee was five, and started kindergarten, I asked Pam if she would be interested in training me.
She agreed to take me on as her first trainee, and that is how “Float2stroke” got its start in the industry.
I realized very quickly that this method of teaching was very successful and I also learned how incredibly taxing it can be on the body.
My swimming backyard and all the yoga training that I had acquired through the years, really paid off when I started teaching.
I learned very quickly how each child is different and what would work for one child, didn’t always work for another. I became very self-aware of how important it is to connect individually and to learn to build trust through a very hands on approach.
Float2stroke stands out among other businesses because we are very one on one.
There’s not a swim school in Utah County that has the kind of reputation that we offer at Float2stroke Stroke.
The same teacher stays with the student for 3 weeks. They receive 12 private one on one lessons four times a week for 3 weeks. We also offer teaching videos that parents can subscribe to online and actually learn the techniques that have used for 20 years as a Master teacher.
This bond between the instructor and the child is very important for building confidence, safety and reassurance that swimming is fun, safe and more importantly a beautiful way to acquire self-confidence and assurance for a safe water environment,

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

About 4 years ago my husband was offered a CEO position to run a company called “PURE” in Frisco Texas. We live in Utah and own a home that is on almost 2 acres of land. Float2stroke Swim School was entering its 16th consecutive season and I wasn’t quite sure how we were going to get through the next few months.

I had a daughter on an LDS mission and she was my last child to leave home and was also my only girl. When my husband and I decided to take this job, I had no idea what it was going to do to me mentally, physically and especially emotionally. I promised Daren I would support him if I could still run “The Swim School.” However, this meant living apart for almost three years. We saw each other on the weekends, but sometimes it was two or more weeks in between visits.

I cried A LOT, had severe anxiety and panic attacks almost daily. Learning to live alone in a huge home was my greatest challenge. During this time I fell into a really deep depression.
I wasn’t sure how I was going to get through the next few months. I prayed constantly, but my anxiety was so bad, that sometimes I couldn’t get out of bed for long periods of time.

I had three months before the Swim Season was starting up again. I knew I had to do something to get through these months, so that I could get prepared mentally for the upcoming swim season.
On a very lonely Friday afternoon, Iwas just wandering around the mall before I had to pick my husband up at the airport. I walked into “Chicos,” a women’s clothing store in Orem ,Utah and just randomly asked if they were hiring.

They said they were, and I filled out an application and sent my resume over to the cooperate office.

I cannot tell you the incredible peace that came to me when I was offered this position. I knew that for the next few months I would have a reason to get out of bed, and this positive work environment became a safe haven for me. The next 3 months we’re still very difficult, but knowing that I had purpose and meaning in my life again, gave me hope for the future.

When the swim season started, I was working two jobs. Some days I would work 10 to 12 hrs and I would come home so exhausted I could barely walk up the stairs, but I knew at the end of the day that I was becoming stronger, more independent and understanding the true meaning of resilience.

I would never want to go through something so difficult again, but I learned to persevere, have unwavering faith, and developed a very strong work ethic. Sometimes, it’s those faith defying moments that truly define your character and determine who you really are deep down inside.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Most of my good clients, the ones who are kind,, honest, and very respectful of what I do, come from word of mouth referrals. Usually someone will see a child swimming in a public pool that I taught how to swim, and they will ask questions about the technique. They’re usually very curious about where they learned to swim so good, at such a young age.. This would usually cause a ripple affect,, and before you knew it, I would be getting 10 to 20 calls or emails a day, inquiring about “The Swim School”.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Float2stroke.com
• Instagram: float2striokeswimschool
• Facebook: Float2Stroke Swim School
• Linkedin: Lisa Hogge Float2stroke Swim School

Image Credits
Blakehogge Photography