"Every entrepreneur knows there are no days off. Just as an athlete really has no days off."

Glenn Mills, a renowned figure in the swimming world, achieved remarkable success early in his career by winning the 200 breaststroke at the U.S. Olympic Trials, ranking third globally in that event. Although the 1980 Olympics were out of reach due to the U.S. boycott, Glenn's drive remained unshaken. He went on to represent the USA at the 1982 World Championships and became an NCAA champion in 1983.

 Glenn Mills and the evolution of GoSwim （Youtube）

Glenn Mills, a former competitive swimmer who excelled at the 1980 Olympic Trials, has seamlessly transitioned from elite athlete to visionary entrepreneur. As the founder of GoSwim Productions, LLC, Mills devotes himself to nurturing young swimmers' potential through innovative techniques and cutting-edge technology. His journey isn't just one of personal achievement—it's a story of giving back to the sport that shaped his life and pushing the boundaries of swimming education. Glenn's life exemplifies the power of passion, perseverance, and adaptability. His narrative takes us on a compelling journey, showing how a man who mastered the waters as an athlete went on to revolutionize the way swimmers learn and refine their craft.

Growing up just outside Cleveland, Glenn's early days were marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence in swimming. Realizing the need for better training opportunities, he made a bold decision in 10th grade—to move away from home and join a top-tier club in Cincinnati. "I lived with a family my first summer," he recalls, "and after a successful season, my mom and I got an apartment in Cincinnati. My dad would drive down every weekend for the two years leading up to the 1980 Trials."

Those two years were transformative. Surrounded by some of the world's best swimmers, including six who would go on to make the 1980 Olympic team, the environment was one of intense competition and camaraderie. "Success breeds success," Glenn notes, "and without the move, I would have never had a chance."

His hard work culminated in a victory at the 1980 Olympic Trials, a moment that should have been the gateway to his Olympic dreams. However, fate intervened when the U.S. government decided to boycott the Moscow Olympics due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. This political decision dashed Glenn's hopes of competing on the world's biggest stage. "That was a tough blow," Glenn admits, "but it also fueled my determination." He went on to win the NCAA Championship for the University of Alabama and represented the United States in international competitions worldwide. His journey is a testament to the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.

The transition from elite swimmer to entrepreneur wasn't immediate or easy. After his athletic career ended, Glenn faced the same uncertainty many athletes do: What comes next? "When you're an elite athlete, you choose a path that isn't easy, but you're in charge of your path," he explains. This mindset led to the founding of GoSwim Productions, LLC—a company dedicated to helping swimmers improve through expert-led videos and resources.

"GoSwim wasn't my first business," Glenn confesses. "I failed at many things because I wanted to prove I could do something that wasn't 'swimming' related. It turns out I really enjoyed swimming-related things." The vision for GoSwim was clear: to provide young swimmers with the knowledge and technique to excel. "My goal has always been to teach young athletes that skill is the most important thing."

Entrepreneurship brought its own set of challenges. In the early 2000s, when the internet was still in its infancy, making GoSwim a sustainable business was difficult. "There were times when things just weren't going right," he recalls. A particularly low moment came while driving across the Bay Bridge in financial trouble, contemplating taking a job selling ads. "By the time I reached the other side of the bridge, I was in a cold sweat, committed to making GoSwim sustainable. Twenty-three years later, I'm glad I didn't go into ad sales."

The lessons Glenn learned as an athlete translated seamlessly into business. "As an athlete, you rarely get surprised by a performance because you've done it every day. It's all about consistency, and that's the same in business. There are no days off. You're always thinking about what your competition is doing and what's next."

Glenn's work with GoSwim has led to numerous success stories, from young swimmers learning new techniques to Olympians refining their skills. "We've worked with over 65 Olympians," Glenn notes with pride, "including athletes competing in Paris and the Paralympics." Among the notable collaborators are Aaron Peirsol, who still holds the oldest individual world record, and James Guy from the UK, a recent Gold Medalist in Paris.

But for Glenn, the most impactful stories aren't always about winning medals. "It's about character," he emphasizes. He shares the story of Dave Denniston, the first athlete he ever filmed for GoSwim. "Dave missed the 2004 Olympic Team, but after a tragic sledding accident left him paralyzed, he became the Captain of the 2008 Paralympic Swim Team and the head Paralympic Coach in London in 2012. Now, he's the Head Coach of the University of Wyoming." For Glenn, stories like Dave's embody the spirit of resilience and determination that GoSwim aims to inspire.

GoSwim is on the brink of launching groundbreaking technology that will revolutionize swimmer analysis. "We've been developing this for five years," Glenn shares, excitement evident in his voice. The new system captures swimmers in action and provides ten distinct performance metrics, using this data to recommend tailored improvement videos. The technology utilizes augmented reality (AR) for data collection, with plans to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) to further enhance its capabilities.

In addition to this technological leap, GoSwim is launching an Evaluation Marketplace. "This allows swimmers to upload their performance videos and choose an Olympian to provide personalized feedback," Glenn explains. This feature not only aids aspiring swimmers but also offers a potential income stream for athletes between training sessions.

Despite the rapid advancement of AI, Glenn stresses the importance of human connection in swimming education. "I want to expand the human-to-human connection while everyone is rushing to AI. I don't want the inspiration of THE PERSON to be lost," he says. His approach ensures that the personal touch remains a cornerstone of swimming education.

Glenn Mills editing swimming footage

As Glenn looks to the future with GoSwim, he reflects on how Hexcal Studio has transformed his workspace, enhancing his productivity and inspiration.

Previously, Glenn’s tech-heavy setup often led to clutter. “I've got two iPads, two iPhones, and a Google Pixel 9XL for testing our new Android app,” he explains. “As a video producer, I also have a 48 TB RAID drive under my desk and fiber optic cable coming into the home.”

This high-tech environment, however, became chaotic. “My desk was a mess with external monitors, modems, speakers, hard drives, phones, and chargers everywhere,” Glenn admits.

That changed with Hexcal Studio. "When I first saw the Hexcal Studio, I thought it was a beautiful design. We had just moved into a new house, and I wanted a clean, organized office," he recalls. "The quality of the packaging was Applesque. The quality of every part of this is why it costs what it does. The cleanliness of the desktop... I've never had the space I've wanted until now. I actually like walking into my office and seeing the setup. I'm more inspired because the space is calm, where it used to be hectic."

With Hexcal Studio, Glenn’s workspace was completely transformed. “I’ve integrated USB-C power banks, all the power bricks, and an additional hub with HDMI into the setup,” he explains. “The on-dock wireless charger is perfect for my Android phone, and I use a sleek Nomad stand for my iPhone and watch.”

He also tackled cable management by using clips to keep charging wires neatly routed under the Hexcal Studio and moving the hard drive to the floor. “Seriously, when I walk to the desk, I have to LOOK to see the ONE cable that’s hanging down to connect the hard drive to the MacBook, which is on a stand and you don’t even see it. No more wires everywhere.”

“Now, all I see are my monitor, iPad, phones, and the soft light of the Hexcal Studio illuminating the desktop. It’s a piece of kit that keeps my focus on creativity rather than clutter.”

As Glenn looks to the future, both for himself and the sport of swimming, he sees opportunities for growth through technology and community engagement. "Professional swimming is all about individual sponsorships," he explains, emphasizing the importance of personal services that benefit everyday people. His advice to aspiring swimmers? "Learn another skill while you train. Never stop your education or your connections. It's a huge risk to follow your passion, but so is trying to become an Olympic athlete. No regrets."

Glenn's journey from the Olympic Trials to successful entrepreneurship is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. With GoSwim at the forefront and the Hexcal Studio helping him stay organized, he continues to inspire and empower the next generation of swimmers to strive for greatness, both in and out of the pool.

GoSwim's website and social media channels:

Copyright 2024 Glenn Mills

References：

1. For Glenn Mills, a Missed Olympic Opportunity in 1980, but a Career of Giving Back

2. Swimming 'saved me and taught me who I am,' says 1980 Olympian who is a top coach