Overcoming Water Anxiety Starts With One Present Breath With Cori Myka

Send us Fan MailWhat if fear isn’t a stop sign but a signal to build better safety? We sit down with adult swim educator Cori Myka to unpack how confidence in water starts in the mind. From the moment you step onto the pool deck—pulse quickening, breath tightening—Cori shows why presence, not pressure, creates real progress. Instead of chanting “just do it,” we map out what makes it safe to try, define the feeling we’re chasing, and move forward with small, repeatable steps.Cori’s story winds from a childhood steeped in swimming to a breakthrough with adult learners who carried history and hesitation into every lesson. She explains why adults need a different approach than kids: our brains forecast risks, remember old stings, and overcorrect. The fix isn’t to ignore those signals; it’s to use them. You’ll hear practical tools like pausing on the pool deck to breathe and name what you notice, wearing a life jacket to guarantee air during chaos, and designing a routine you can actually keep—think 1% change over time, not a 180 overnight.We also connect pool wisdom to daily life. Maria shares how she rebuilt her podcast flow with clear boundaries, rest, and energy-led scheduling. Cori talks thought downloads—messy, unedited journaling that reveals mental loops and makes room for action. The episode culminates in a powerful transformation: a retired principal who once panicked when the bottom dropped away finally snorkels in Hawaii, experiencing wonder where fear used to live. It’s a vivid reminder that safety unlocks curiosity, and curiosity sustains growth.If you’re navigating water anxiety, rebuilding a habit, or trying to choose what you want instead of what you “should,” this conversation offers a clear map. Listen, take one small step, and tell us what safety you’ll build this week. If you enjoyed the show, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help more listeners find us.Connect with Cori:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cori.mykaAdult Swim Lessons:Website: https://adultswimlesson.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@adultswimlessonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/calmwithinadultswimInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/calmwithinadultswimOrca Swim School:Website: https://orcaswimschool.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrcaSwimSchoolInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/orcaswimschSupport the showLove Your LifeFollow Maria on Facebook HERE Follow Maria on Instagram HEREFollow Maria on YouTube HERE