In a recent interview, Leo Sarigins sat down with Fares Ksebati, the CEO and co-founder of MySwimPro, to dive deep into his journey of building the world’s leading swim training app, and the principles that have guided him both in the pool and in business.
Their conversation touched on everything from overcoming challenges in swimming to the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people in both your professional and personal life.
Watch the full interview in this video:
Here are the key takeaways from their discussion:
1. Fares Ksebati’s Journey: From Childhood to Champion Swimmer
Fares’ story in swimming started long before MySwimPro came into the picture. Growing up in Michigan, Fares was introduced to the water at a young age, but he didn’t always love it. In fact, swimming didn’t come easily to him, and as a kid, he struggled with some of the basic skills. But as he grew older, something clicked, and swimming became his passion.
“I remember struggling in the beginning,” Fares reflects. “I wasn’t the fastest or the most natural swimmer, but I kept showing up every day. It was that persistence and consistency that helped me improve.” His dedication paid off, and Fares eventually became a competitive swimmer at the collegiate level, training alongside some of the world’s best athletes. He competed for Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. The discipline and resilience that defined his swimming journey later became the foundation of his success as an entrepreneur.
Fares attributes much of his early success to those years of hard work and commitment. “The best swimmers swim every day and commit to the process,” he says. “That’s the mentality that I carried with me into building MySwimPro—taking that consistent approach to everything I do, whether it’s swimming or business.”
2. The Power of Consistency in Swimming
One of the cornerstones of Fares’ approach to swimming—and life—is consistency. Whether you’re training to improve your technique, developing a feel for the water, or building your business, consistency is crucial.
Fares explains that to truly develop a “feel for the water,” swimmers need to swim more than once a week. While one or two swims a week may feel like enough, it isn’t sufficient to make progress. The best swimmers, he says, swim multiple times a week—sometimes daily—and work on varied techniques to refine their skills.
As Fares puts it, “If you swim every day, you’ll develop the best feel for the water.” He compares this to bodybuilders who, despite their strength, might struggle in the pool because they haven’t trained the specialized muscles needed to excel in swimming. Swimming is as much about body awareness and technique as it is about strength.
3. Embrace the Journey: The Ups and Downs of Growth
Both in swimming and in business, the journey is rarely a straight path. Fares reflects on how success often feels like a roller coaster, filled with peaks and valleys. He shares a personal story about a challenging time during his college years when he questioned whether he should continue swimming. After weeks of grueling training in Michigan’s dark winter, he started to feel burned out. It wasn’t until he found something to look forward to—like a midseason rest and the opportunity to taper—that he regained his motivation and finished the season stronger.
This insight is equally valuable in the world of business. Fares notes that the worst thing that can happen is that you attend a meet or event you’ve been looking forward to, only to fall short of your expectations. But that’s just part of the process. The key is to stay the course, keep learning, and continue pushing forward, even when the results aren’t immediate.
4. Surround Yourself with the Right People
One of the most important pieces of advice Fares offers is to immerse yourself in environments where you are surrounded by people who are doing the things you want to do. This applies to both swimming and business.
He credits his success in building MySwimPro to being around people who were already succeeding in the tech world. “When I started MySwimPro, I was working in a building full of software developers who were starting their own companies,” Fares explains. “I wasn’t even a software engineer, but just being around them gave me the confidence to start my own business.” This idea of immersing yourself in a community of people who are ahead of you allows you to learn quickly, absorb new ideas, and build a network that can propel you forward.
The same applies to swimming. Fares recalls training with some of the best swimmers in the world when he was in college. By surrounding himself with people who were faster, he learned not just by asking questions, but by observing and absorbing their techniques, mindset, and approach to training.
5. The Rule of Thirds: Balance for Growth
Fares introduced the concept of the “Rule of Thirds,” a method for balancing your personal and professional growth. This principle can be applied to any area of life, including swimming and business.
- Spend one third of your time with those who are ahead of you—people who are one or two steps further along in their journey.
- Spend another third with your peers—those who are on your level, sharing similar experiences and goals.
- Spend the final third giving back—helping those who are just starting out, sharing what you’ve learned, and offering support.
This balance ensures that you are constantly challenged, learning, and giving back. In business, for example, helping others can often teach you new perspectives, while in swimming, coaching or mentoring others can enhance your own skills and understanding.
6. Learning in Multiple Ways
Fares also emphasizes the importance of learning in different ways. Whether you’re watching a YouTube video, listening to an audiobook, attending an in-person event, or reading a book, consuming knowledge in multiple formats allows you to retain and apply it in different ways.
“I’ve written three books now, and I never imagined that would happen,” says Fares. “The first one, Swim Like a Pro, was inspired by the need to share my knowledge with a broader audience who might not watch YouTube videos but prefer reading books or listening to audiobooks.”
This philosophy aligns with Fares’ broader approach to personal development—finding the method of learning that works best for you and leveraging it to its fullest.
7. Taking the Leap: Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
For those considering taking a leap into entrepreneurship or starting their own business, Fares offers some powerful advice. He stresses the importance of doing what you love and staying focused on your passion.
He also advises aspiring entrepreneurs to dive into the world of social media and digital content creation. “Social media today is much stronger than when I was starting out. If you’re looking to build something, surround yourself with people who are doing what you want to do and absorb their knowledge,” Fares says.
If you’re interested in swimming, business, or both, Fares encourages you to get started by taking the first step and staying consistent, even when challenges arise.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re looking to elevate your swimming journey, consider joining one of MySwimPro’s in-person events or diving into the MySwimPro app. Whether you’re a swimmer looking to improve your technique or an entrepreneur ready to take the plunge, the MySwimPro community is here to support you.
- Download the MySwimPro app to get personalized workouts, coaching, and training plans to help you swim smarter.
- Apply to join the Swim Academy, where you can work directly with Fares and the MySwimPro team to unlock your full swimming potential.
- Attend an in-person MySwimPro Swim Retreat to get hands-on training and dive deeper into your swimming journey with expert coaches and fellow swimmers.
As Fares says, “The key is to surround yourself with the right people, stay consistent, and continue learning—whether that’s through video, books, or direct mentorship.”
Happy swimming!
