“My first official day working here was March 5. I thought working here would be a good fit. Growing up, I always thought swimming was fun. I’d also been a member here for a few years and was coming to the Y all the time. I kept seeing the join our team posts. My son was a lifeguard, my daughter was a lifeguard, and I thought I’d give it a try. I took the lifeguard certification course before I began working here. I always believed that you need to do something physical, not just to be physically fit, but for your mind. Keeping active is good for your brain health. I’ve always been active – exercising, bike riding, running. I was also a first responder for 28 years. Working at the Y, I like the people. I like our members and our team. I take my job seriously. As a lifeguard, you don’t just sit there. You watch people and you get to know them. I know if someone is a strong swimmer, but even those who are in good health can have a problem. I watch for anything that could signify that they are having an issue that day. If you’re looking, you can pick up on these things. A tip I have for swimmers is to listen your body. If you feel tired, or like something isn’t right, get out of the pool, sit down and catch your breath.”