Navigating life lessons through swimming: Walter Mascarenhas

A swimming pool can teach one several key lessons about management, according to motivational speaker and corporate trainer Walter Mascarenhas, who drew analogies about how the art of swimming can be applied to improve life itself. 

Mascarenhas, in his recent lecture at MOG Sundays, hosted by the Museum of Goa in Pilerne, said that swimming, like life, was determined by various positive and negative factors which needed to be accommodated and dealt with to succeed and move forward. 

“Water's density, in contrast to air, demands greater effort from your muscles without imposing undue strain on your joints. But the buoyancy of water lends support to your body, enabling you to exercise your joints and gradually improve your overall condition,” he said. 

Walter Mascarenhas, a retired Indian Air Force squadron leader, who is now a professional swimming instructor and certified scuba diver, also said that it was essential to experiment with new perspectives and techniques in life, just as a swimmer adapts to newer swimming strokes over time. 

“Believe in something, whatever it may be, and let go of your fears. In swimming, there are different strokes like breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly. Swimmers need to trust the water and not position themselves above it,” he said.

He added that if one feels tense about trying new things, one could just relax; a technique in swimming which enables persons to just float on the water using simple breathing techniques. 

Mascarenhas in his lecture took his audience through seven crucial life lessons inspired by swimming, which include the dictum that belief shapes reality, a positive mindset powers achievement, embracing all-around development, prioritising rest and recovery, trust and relaxation are key, lifelong learning and growth, focussing on enjoying today and dressing for success in life.

“Learn to trust and be a lifelong learner. Enjoy your life today. Every day, do something that brings you happiness. In swimming, some excel in the breaststroke, while others prefer freestyle. The key is to do what suits you best at your own pace,” he says. 

Mascarenhas is also the author of the book Swimming through life published in 2016, which draws deeper connections between swimming techniques and the everyday challenges one encounters.