Smarter Swimming Through Mindset & Tech
The Power of Data and Mindset:
How FORM Swim and Brian Johns Are Changing the Game
From Lifeguard Lessons to the Olympic Stage
For most of us, swim lessons start as a way to stay safe in the water. For Brian Johns, they became the foundation of a journey that led to three Olympic Games, a world record, and a lifelong mission to help athletes swim smarter. In this Fireside Chat episode, Jason Bahamundi of Run Tri Bike sits down with Brian, now Head of Coaching Science at FORM Swim, to explore how technology, mindset, and coaching have evolved to redefine what it means to perform with purpose.
Brian’s story began like any other athlete’s: balancing sports, school, and family. But his early exposure to multiple disciplines including baseball, basketball, football built the athletic foundation that later supported his success in swimming. By his teens, Brian was swimming eight to nine times per week in pursuit of national and Olympic dreams. His path wasn’t always smooth; shoulder injuries and burnout forced him to rethink what training should feel like, not just look like.
That realization became his lifelong philosophy: endurance is not just about harder work, but smarter work.
Coaching with Empathy and Science
After retiring from competition, Brian transitioned to coaching, bringing with him a unique blend of technical knowledge and emotional intelligence. He emphasizes that no two athletes are the same and what motivates one swimmer might discourage another. The best coaches, he says, are the ones who listen, adapt, and create individualized training experiences.
For Brian, the future of coaching lies at the intersection of empathy and analytics. By understanding how athletes respond not just physically but mentally to training, coaches can help them find joy in the process while still improving performance. It’s about learning to love the journey as much as the destination. This is a message that resonates deeply with the Run Tri Bike community of everyday athletes.
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FORM Swim: Tech That Makes You Think (and Swim) Smarter
The conversation turns to one of the most exciting advancements in endurance sports: the FORM Smart Swim Goggles. These aren’t just gadgets…They are game-changers.
Imagine seeing your pace, stroke rate, and lap count in real-time without stopping or glancing at a watch. That’s what FORM delivers. As soon as you push off the wall, your data appears in your line of sight, allowing instant adjustments and immediate feedback.
Gone are the days of soggy paper workouts and guessing if you hit your splits correctly. FORM’s goggles integrate with TrainingPeaks, Tridot, Garmin, and Apple Watch, making solo training sessions as effective as those with a coach on deck. For triathletes, that means better pacing, less anxiety, and a more intentional approach to every swim set.
Even better, FORM’s open-water capabilities allow athletes to maintain direction and consistency without frequent sighting. When synced with GPS-enabled devices, the goggles track distance, pace, and even rest intervals, helping you swim straight, strong, and confident.
Mindset in Motion: Relaxation, Rhythm, and Consistency
At the heart of Brian’s philosophy, and the entire Fireside Chat episode, is the idea that mindset drives performance. He and Jason discuss how athletes often make the mistake of starting too fast, especially during the swim leg of a triathlon. The key, Brian says, is relaxation. Learning to control effort, breathe deeply, and trust your rhythm transforms not just your swim, but your entire race.
In endurance sports, consistency beats intensity. It’s not about one perfect session. Instead, it is about showing up again and again, learning from the data, and keeping perspective. FORM’s technology supports this mindset by turning guesswork into measurable growth, helping athletes track improvement over time rather than chasing immediate results.
Technology Meets Humanity
What makes this episode stand out isn’t just the tech talk but the human connection. Jason and Brian explore how innovation can serve the athlete, not replace the human element of sport. Data without understanding is noise, but data combined with purpose becomes power.
Brian’s transition from world-class swimmer to coaching scientist reminds us that evolution comes from curiosity, humility, and a willingness to learn. The tools may change, but the fundamentals remain the same: passion, patience, and perspective.
Every Stroke Counts
The takeaway from this Fireside Chat is clear: whether you’re new to the pool or preparing for your next Ironman, progress starts with awareness. FORM Swim goggles and Brian’s approach to coaching exemplify how technology can elevate not just performance, but also the joy and mindset behind it.
Swimming isn’t just about speed—it’s about connection. Connection to your breath, your effort, your growth. And, as Brian puts it, when you can see that progress in real time, motivation becomes momentum.
So dive in. Swim smarter. And remember, like all endurance journeys, the goal isn’t perfection. It’s becoming a better, more mindful version of yourself, one lap at a time.
Listen, Learn, and Level Up
🎧 Listen to the full Fireside Chat with Brian Johns and Jason Bahamundi on YouTube or at RunTriMag.com
🔥 Join the Everyday Athlete Clubhouse for exclusive gear discounts, giveaways, and community connections that keep your endurance journey inspired.
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