Ruth Smith · 43 min
A farmer's daughter who grew up jumping off willow trees into creeks became Australia's leading voice for aquatic therapy, now fighting to transform how swim teachers support children with additional needs.
Hear this story
Ruth Smith grew up jumping off willow trees into creeks on her family's farm, learning to move in water before she ever took a formal lesson. That early instinct stayed with her through competitive swimming, lifeguard training, and a sports science degree at Wollongong, where she had one clear plan: become a scientist at Australia's Institute of Sport and make our swimmers the fastest in the world. Then, in her second year, she watched a physiotherapist work with children from a special school in the pool. Six weeks of observation changed everything. She saw how water could shift something in these children that nothing else could. Their lives on land improved because of what happened in the water. She wanted more of that.
For over 40 years Ruth has taught swimming. In the last 12, she has focused entirely on understanding how water's physical properties calm and ground children, especially those with developmental differences or anxiety. She has funded her own study tours around the world, always asking why. Why does hydrostatic pressure help a child feel held? Why does going under the surface slow a racing mind? What happens when a non-verbal, anxious boy finally trusts enough to float like seaweed, his arms releasing, his body at rest?
Now Ruth is fighting to change how Australian swim teachers work with children displaying challenging behaviours. It is not what we teach, she says. It is how we teach. Teachers are leaving the industry because they lack the skills to understand and support these behaviours. Ruth is training swim teachers in therapy principles, partnering with allied health professionals, and conducting research at Western Sydney University to prove what water can do. Her father died with his self-taught knowledge locked in his head. Ruth is determined not to repeat that mistake. She wants this to spread.
“It's not what we're teaching that I'm trying to change. It's how we teach.”
“I do not like hearing when teachers can't cope with the behaviors and the children are decided they're naughty and they're disciplined accordingly. Well, they're not naughty.”
“I think it was a selfish pursuit and still is because I do get so much out of it, John. It's it's very humbling.”
The hero, today
Ruth's earliest swimming was not formal instruction but watching her siblings move in the creek and learning her own body's motion in water, something she carried into competitive training later. The moment Ruth saw a physiotherapist working with children in the water, she knew that was where she belonged: not with elite athletes, but with the children who needed what water could offer them. Ruth believes aquatic therapy and swim teaching can change how we work with children when we shift from what we teach to how we teach, giving them space to understand their own bodies in the water first. Water's physical properties, the pressure, the resistance, the quiet below the surface, genuinely calm children and help them feel grounded, making them more focused and ready to learn once they return to the surface. The swimming industry is losing teachers because they are not trained to understand why children display challenging behaviors; Ruth sees education and strategy as the way to keep experienced staff and serve children better. Ruth will not leave her knowledge in her head the way her father did: she is committed to sharing what she has learned with swim teachers, allied health professionals, and anyone willing to listen.
Yes. Ruth Smith is a real person who shared their own story in their own words. Kintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit that shares first-person stories of overcoming adversity, told with the person's consent.
Kintsugi Heroes, a registered Australian not-for-profit. Every story is shared with the hero's own consent and reviewed under Kintsugi Heroes' trauma-informed content standard before it goes public.
Ruth's earliest swimming was not formal instruction but watching her siblings move in the creek and learning her own body's motion in water, something she carried into competitive training later.
The moment Ruth saw a physiotherapist working with children in the water, she knew that was where she belonged: not with elite athletes, but with the children who needed what water could offer them.
Ruth believes aquatic therapy and swim teaching can change how we work with children when we shift from what we teach to how we teach, giving them space to understand their own bodies in the water first.
John Milham (Host) · 00:02
Welcome back to Kintsugi Heroes, helping people tell the stories they need to share so you can find the stories that you need to hear. Ruth is a true blue farmer's daughter whose childhood was shaped by creeks, cows, and community. From a rural upbringing, she rose to state-level competition in aquatic sports and became the first female beach inspector in New South Wales. Her lifelong connection with water led to a career in swim education, aquatic therapy, and inclusive program development. With over 40 years in the industry, Ruth now leads innovative aquatic training, research, and mentoring across Australia and beyond. Ruth's mantra is, life is simple, just add water. Enjoy this episode with Ruth Smith. Right, so Kintsugi Heroes listeners and fans and friends, welcome back to another Kintsugi Heroes Stories That Matter. Uh, today we are blessed as always to have an amazing guest, our friend Ruth Smith. Uh, welcome to Kintsugi Heroes, Ruth.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 01:26
Thank you very much, John. So great to be on here actually.
John Milham (Host) · 01:29
Well, it's great to have you. And the theme of the moment— at the moment, the world is tied up with the challenges of everyday life, right? You know, like, you know, mental distress is a topic of concern for all sorts of areas and so on. And today we get to talk to someone who is offering service to the community in that particular area. Ruth, you do it with water, right? So, um, but before we get into that, um, how did you end up, uh, being a water person?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 02:06
That's a very good question, and water has definitely been— I do think I perhaps will have, uh, chlorine running through my veins. Um, but I grew up on a farm, and I was the youngest of four. But to the day my mom passed away, she could not wash her hair, for example, in the shower. She had to you know, go over the laundry tub. So I don't remember being taught to swim, but I do remember Mum would take us down to the creek while Dad was working, the four of us. And this is a woman who doesn't want to be in the water. My fondest memories are jumping off the willow tree and, you know, swimming back to the side and, you know, floating under the causeway, which was terribly dangerous. But I don't remember learning to swim. I guess I just watched what my brothers and my sister were doing. Heaven help us if we got into real trouble.
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Water's physical properties, the pressure, the resistance, the quiet below the surface, genuinely calm children and help them feel grounded, making them more focused and ready to learn once they return to the surface.
This conversation includes creek swimming and the willow tree, from pool weekends to competitive swimming, first female bronze medallion, the sports science dream, watching a physiotherapist in the pool and self-funded study tours and the why.
John Milham (Host) · 02:58
Well, it's interesting, the country life, that story is common. In fact, it resonates with myself. I, you know, early years on the farm, for me, you know, Kangaroo River was part of, you know, went through our property and it was a part of my life. But we had, you could, I could swim the river underwater, but if I came to the surface, I would start drowning. Right? So it was like, you know, you were a toddler practically on your own. You had to be able to navigate the river, but you didn't know how to swim.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 03:33
No. And the theme of water just was always through my life. I was a competitive swimmer, but I played water polo. I was the first female beach inspector in New South Wales.
John Milham (Host) · 03:43
How did you— just to jump back, how did you learn to swim then, right, if you didn't remember learning to swim? How did you end up like winning the school swimming carnival?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 03:56
Well, I think in those formative years jumping off the willow tree and into the creek, I had a— I must have gained a real sense of how my body moves in the water, you know, and working it out myself. And then we moved into town. We kept the farm and we still have the farm, but we moved into town and lived across from the swimming pool. So I spent the weekends you know, nothing formal, but just hanging out with friends. And, and I think I just got a real sense of where my body was in the water and how it moves through the water. I— nothing formal. I think it was just subconscious. But my love of that feel drove me. Then, you know, I went to swim training, and then the coaches were correcting my stroke and, you know, making it a lot more efficient.
John Milham (Host) · 04:45
And of course, that squad training. Did you do the early morning? Like, you know, yeah. What is that? Like, why is— does the swim, um, sport, you know, infrastructure only want people who like to get up early?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 05:00
Well, uh, I guess it, it weeds out the committed ones and the committed parents.
John Milham (Host) · 05:05
Well, it weeds out us who are more larky. We, you know, I, I do good work in, you know, in the evening, right? It's possible. So becoming a lifeguard seems like a very sensible next holiday job for a competitive swimmer.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 05:23
Yeah.
John Milham (Host) · 05:24
How did you end up taking it further? What did you discover when you were supporting, saving people? You obviously had a natural affinity for the water.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 05:35
I felt strong in the water always. I joined the surf club at 14 with my sister and my brothers. So again, we were the first group of women allowed to go through our bronze medallion. But I always felt very strong in the water and, and competed against the men. Back then we didn't have our own races. I had a real sense that I'd found my tribe in the water and that I wanted more of it. But I did the beach inspecting job for 2 years and then I went on to uni, which took me to Wollongong.
John Milham (Host) · 06:07
Fab. A beautiful water town as well, Wollongong. So, and of course, the unis were quite close, right? So you, you know, um, so when you went, uh, studying, what were your plans for life, right? So, you know, was it you were saying, I'm going to make this swimming thing something significant? Was that your thoughts?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 06:28
Absolutely, hit the nail on the head. So my first degree was done in Wollongong, and I started sports science. But my thought was, I'm going to be the best sports scientist at the Institute of Sport in Canberra, and I will work out scientifically how we can make the Australian swimmers the fastest ever. That was what I was going to do with my sports science degree.
John Milham (Host) · 06:53
Was that directly related to your, you know, your competition experience, or, you know, did you take to coaching as well as swimming, right?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 07:01
Yes, I did. I, um, the, the pool that I was training at across the road from our pool they, uh, the coach there took me under his wing and taught me a lot actually. So I was 14 or 15 and, uh, he, I was his assistant coach. So I was working with young kids on the pool deck. I was still teaching swimming. When you're a part of, uh, our swimming club there at Wingham where I grew up, um, part of the deal was that the older swimmers would teach swimming for free on Saturday mornings. Yeah. So that's how I really started. I was, you know, very young, 14, but that was expected and we all did it. But then I was coaching in the afternoons.
John Milham (Host) · 07:40
Of course, it's a very different competency coaching because you can do something doesn't mean you can coach it. So did you feel like, you know, oh, I can do this, this is a direction? So it's very early to decide which way you want to go.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 07:55
Yes, it was actually. And but I got all my tickets, you know, you've got to be a qualified level of coach. And, you know, I was a coach in synchronized swimming because I did that too. I was a coach in water polo. Like, I just added and added and added. And, um, it, it, it was something that then stayed with me. I've always coached or always taught swimming on the side, even if I've had full-time jobs.
John Milham (Host) · 08:20
Sounds fantastic. Sounds very committed. So here you are, a sports scientist. Did you get to the Institute of Sport?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 08:27
No, it was— what happened was, in our second year, there was the option for electives, and I chose a physiotherapist who really intrigued me because she was working with children from a special school in the pool. The pool was actually at the special school.
John Milham (Host) · 08:45
Right.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 08:45
And I thought, wow, that's, that's interesting. That was a whole new world to me that people were, that physios were working in the water with children. And I think it was only a 6-week period of time. Once a week I went and I was hooked. I then continued working voluntary with that lady. I wish I could remember her name.
John Milham (Host) · 09:06
Yeah, well, she, you know, changing your life, don't need names, just, you know, just remember her fondly. The— it's interesting what— what you were hooked— what was it? Was it the outcomes, or was it the process, the— or the people you were working with? What— what was the hook?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 09:25
I still say it to this day with the kids I'm working with. I think it was a selfish pursuit and still is because I do get so much out of it, John. It's, it's very humbling. I felt that I could contribute to these children and I was learning so much from this lady, you know, the way that she moved with the kids and what she could, could get out of the children really. And then you could see that their life was changing on land. So what she was doing in the water was having a big impact for their life on land. And I wanted more of that.
John Milham (Host) · 09:58
The children obviously were, you know, had challenges, right? Um, is it necessary, you know, like, is it a case of like being challenged opens up access to therapeutic pathways in the water, or is this, is, um, that kind of experience beneficial for everyone in some way?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 10:19
Oh, the, the, it's definitely beneficial for everyone. Um, I, I've had a swim school and one of the fathers that was I was teaching their children to swim, neurotypical children who didn't have any challenges, but he was a doctor for Navy SEALs. So he had to make sure that, you know, the testing was done. But he explained to me that if you, when you wash your face of a morning, when you get out of bed, at that point, the physiology of your body changes, even by washing water over your face. So just imagine what's going on for your body when you immerse yourself in it. Well, you know, it's very powerful.
John Milham (Host) · 10:58
I often, you know, working with, say, young men, I talk about the mirror process in the mornings, right? So that cold water splash on the neck and face, right? And then you look in the mirror and you have some affirmations that you throw at yourself. It's like that moment of, you know, gratitude and positivity. To start the day, and it seems to be anchored by the process of splashing cold water on your face.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 11:25
So isn't that interesting?
John Milham (Host) · 11:27
So I'm very pleased to hear that you will, you will, you know, have that as an aspect of your work as well. Yeah, yeah, I love the idea. Like, it's very, you know, in the Indigenous folks talk about being, you know, they connect to land, and they also have Some culture is around the water, right? So they often identify as a landman or a countryman. This is my country or this is— they can be watermen, right? But certain tribes have an affiliation. Do you think that's true for us as well, like for people with Western backgrounds?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 12:10
Yes, I do. Absolutely. For myself, We walk a lot, Greg and I, my husband and I, and we could walk anywhere where we are. We could be in the rocks and trees, or we could be by the water. But generally, um, I choose and we go to the water, go to the ocean.
John Milham (Host) · 12:31
It's—
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 12:32
I think there's something very soothing about not being— being in the water, of course, but, you know, just walking by the water. But also the the smell of the salt and the rhythm of the waves, the sound of the waves. Excuse me, talking too much, see?
John Milham (Host) · 12:52
By all means, dive into some water. That seems germane. Yeah.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 12:56
Yeah. So, you know, to answer your question, I do feel that it is there for everybody. It's just that we're not probably attuned to it. You know, that calming Feeling.
John Milham (Host) · 13:09
Yeah. So tell me, you have a background of getting a lot of exploring, a lot of input and getting qualifications and so on. How did that progress your understanding of what seems to be a very visceral, right? A very kind of unconscious process.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 13:27
I did a lot of training here in Australia in this area, in the area of neurodiversity, children with challenges. And it's mainly children that I work with. I do work with adults as well. But there was very little training here. I got to a point where I was searching, I was researching where else in the world I could get this information. I've always had a real curiosity for, um, for things, but more so how a body moves in water and, and, and if we do this, what would be the outcome? You know?
John Milham (Host) · 14:02
Yeah.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 14:02
So I was searching. There's always the why. Why is that behavior happening? Why when I do this, the outcome is usually quite positive. So I supported myself and traveled, paid for my own study tours over the years, actually.
John Milham (Host) · 14:19
The process of investing in yourself has obviously, you know, sort of been— reaped its rewards in you being, you know, sort of significant in promoting this process, right? It's interesting that the nature of somatic therapy, the sense of being much more embodied about what we go through, our experiences, trauma or challenge, you know, that whole process is becoming much more— people are more aware of it, more therapies are referencing it. Do you feel like you were ahead of the curve, that the world is catching up? Is that what sort of water therapy is about?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 15:02
I definitely agree with that. Uh, aquatic therapy, you know, that's the name that, that it's given in America, for example, but it's very different to what I would like Australia to call aquatic therapy. But here in Australia, I am ahead of the curve. I definitely believe that. And now globally, I'm speaking with lots of people through LinkedIn and, and I'm presenting papers in Sweden. I was in January. You know, so the world is catching up. There are small pockets that are doing some wonderful things, believe it or not, even in Malaysia, there's a woman over there doing some amazing stuff. So it's an interesting time for me at the moment.
John Milham (Host) · 15:45
Pay the dues and now sort of, you know, understanding how your passion can transfer to, you know, something more accepted and helpful.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 15:56
That's right. And because there's a couple of things that I'm doing, there's the aquatic therapy in particular, and that's generally one-on-one. But what I've realized on the Australian landscape in the aquatics industry is that our teachers don't have the skills at the moment to work with the, the challenging behaviors that we now are seeing in our swimming lessons. Yeah. And a lot of what I do on the therapy side of things can be injected and trained into the swim teachers so that they feel more empowered to work with the challenging behaviors that are coming. And that's a global issue as well.
John Milham (Host) · 16:30
Yeah, wow, interesting. You know, so, um, you know, I recall way back once upon a time when I was on— I couldn't swim out of sight in the dark night. But the— so, um, but, uh, you know, kids and stuff through squad training, um, and you never— like, the, you know, swim teachers were dragons. You didn't do anything. So, you know, I would never have thought— I wouldn't have, you know, sort of been, um, uh, I wouldn't have been difficult, let alone the kids. So yeah, it's funny how times have changed.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 17:03
Oh God, they have.
John Milham (Host) · 17:06
And that, you know, they're in that, they're, you know, like, that's kind of mirroring, um, some of our social challenges, you know, psychosocial challenges as well.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 17:16
Yeah.
John Milham (Host) · 17:17
And it's fascinating that, you know, it's having to be dealt with in every aspect of our life.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 17:23
It is, John. And in particular in the swimming industry, it's not what we're teaching that I'm trying to change, it's how we teach.
John Milham (Host) · 17:31
Yeah.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 17:32
You know, and you touched on it then, you know, previously swim teachers were dragons. Yes, we have had that reputation.
John Milham (Host) · 17:38
Apologies.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 17:40
They're not anymore, but it's how we're teaching. That has to change. The pleasure that I get from my own swimming, I would wish that for everybody. Yeah, you know, it's, it's such a— I remember swimming, and again, I can't remember where it was, but an older, an older lady was swimming beside me, and we were having a rest at the end of the pool and have a bit of a chat, and off we'd go and come back. And she said, I love swimming, it's such a sensual feeling.
John Milham (Host) · 18:08
Yeah.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 18:09
And I thought at the time that's an odd word to use, but she's right. Yeah, she was right.
John Milham (Host) · 18:15
That's a beautiful thought. I, you know, growing up by the beach, you know, it was part of my life. And I remember, you know, probably venturing out in too challenging surfs sometimes and, you know, being at a moment either I was about to die or I, you know, relaxed and allowed myself to become part of the— I remember this feeling very, very clearly where I just let go and allowed the natural order of the water around me, the surf, to actually support me, right? It's possible. And, um, yeah, I would describe that as like scary but sensual, right? So maybe, you know, she's, she's having—
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 18:58
yeah, you know, it's It does support us. You did right.
John Milham (Host) · 19:03
How does your modality help people?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 19:07
I'm learning that all the time, more and more, but it really helps a lot of our children with calm. You know, they certainly get the benefit of being calmer in the water. It slows their movement down. So you can imagine a child that's ADHD and on the move all the time. Well, that slows him down or her a little bit. But there's the wonderful property of— properties of the water, but in particular, the hydrostatic pressure. So, you know, the deeper we go in water, the more pressure surrounds our body, and it surrounds our body evenly, you know. And as we get older, a lot of us lose that sensation. But, you know, if you can return to a deep area of the pool or ocean and just regain that sense of pressure on their joints, it's on their muscles, and that's very calming. It's very quiet under the water. So then when they come back up to the surface, they're a lot generally a bit calmer and they're more focused. Yeah. You know, but, but the water also helps with, you know, there's heavy body movements that we can do above the water that gets some of that energy out of their system so that they can focus. You know, they've come from school usually and they've been told what to do all day. You know, I have to sit still and I have to learn and I have to write and you know, it could be a bit of a stress moment coming to the pool in the car, you know, mum and dad are late and hurry up, hurry up. And so when they get to the pool, if we just allow the kids a little bit of space to just get attuned into their body, and there's different things that you can do, strategies and little techniques to help them do that, you know, you're changing how we're teaching. Now you're going to be teaching a child that is more in their body. They know where they are. They feel grounded in the water. And, uh, and I think— and you're going to get a much better outcome with the lesson in particular.
John Milham (Host) · 21:03
Yeah, we often talk about that process of decompressing or compressing, or, you know, there are two, two words. There's grounding, right? Which is funny that we're grounding in water, right?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 21:16
Yes.
John Milham (Host) · 21:17
And then you often hear people talk about the need to unwind as soaking. I'm going to soak in the bush, soaking. Let's see. So do you know why this works?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 21:29
The principle is— principles are around, A, the properties of the, of the water, but it's, it's the physical nature. And that sounds odd, but there is a physical component of being in the water and that resistance that you get in the water. So if a child is a little bit unfocused or, you know, discombobulated, for want of a better word, imagine going under the water and asking that child to jump up as high as they can and come down and splash their arms on the water and let's do that 3 times. Let's get energetic. You know, it's like not allowing kids to climb trees anymore. You know, they've, they've, they've gotta push and they've gotta pull and they've gotta, you know, feel their body being strong and, and, uh, with that resistance in the pool, maybe even be upside down occasionally. Absolutely.
John Milham (Host) · 22:22
Yeah. Yeah.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 22:23
And kids, kids need to spin. Yeah. You know, they need to do handstands.
John Milham (Host) · 22:27
Yeah. You know, I love that.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 22:28
All of, all of that comes into my, my sessions, you know, my, whether it's a swimming lesson or a aquatic therapy session. But there's reasons why they need to spin, you know, and turn upside down, as you said, and do tumble turns, do somersaults in the pool. But, you know, we're time poor, we've got to stick to a lesson plan, the manager is watching, the parents are expecting, you know, there's a lot of pressure on a swim teacher. And now I'm asking the industry to change how we teach and have kids spinning and turning upside down and using equipment where they're making big splashes, like, oh, heaven forbid.
John Milham (Host) · 23:05
Yeah, wow, wow, you rebel, you.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 23:08
Yeah, I am, but I'm, you know, I'm passionate about it, and that's, uh, because I can see the benefits. I see it every day, John, when I'm working with these kids.
John Milham (Host) · 23:17
Yeah, you know, it sounds very missiony, like you have a mission. What is your mission? How do you articulate that to people?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 23:24
That's a good question. I think my mission is, um, to to really uncover and present the benefits of the medium of water and to really show the aquatics industry, but the further, further the world, you know, the allied health professions in particular, the physios and the OTs, that this medium has been overlooked.
John Milham (Host) · 23:55
Yeah.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 23:56
And that needs to change. You know, I know the, the allied health profession, physios and OTs, while a lot of them refer their clients to me, you know, they don't necessarily want to get in the water. But I can see a real marrying of the aquatics industry and the allied health profession coming together and really putting this, this area on fire. Because the— and that's the third thing I'm trying to do. Um, the swim teachers have the biomechanics, they understand the properties of the water, you know, um, they understand children. And then you marry that with, um, programs that can be developed with the physios and the OTs. It's a match made in heaven, I think. But it's, it's about education. So there's a couple of missions. My other mission, I, I'm involved, it's my research project with, uh, the Western Sydney University. We've recently received ethics approval. So when you research aquatic therapy, there's not much evidence-based research from Australia, and nor is it across a variety of disabilities. Usually it's from America and it covers autism. That's a general statement. Yeah. So my research project will— it's observational and it's quite small at the moment, but it's proving across 4 areas: communication, mood, daily living skills, and a fourth one I can't remember, um, proving that this works. So the idea is it will be, um, um, you know, finished and published early next year, and then we'll go for a bigger grant. But the whole idea is that aquatic therapy will then become part of the allied health profession. It will become a thing, because, you know, occupational therapy started as an idea, and look at that now.
John Milham (Host) · 25:47
All sorts of, you know, utilize, you know, somatic therapy, yoga. I'm fascinated by the growth of things like ice baths, you know. Yeah, like, so that seems to be very popular, begins, uh, to be a bit of a trend in the sort of, you know, the fringe responders, and then sort of moves into more general, uh,, you know, more sort of mainstream understanding. Is that, you know, where, where you are at the moment?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 26:19
On the fringe?
John Milham (Host) · 26:21
Yeah, a little bit of fringe, I think so.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 26:23
Yep, I think so. But, you know, it's interesting, um, the soak bathhouses and, you know, the float tanks, they've gone off. People are wanting it. They're wanting the medium of water. Yes.
John Milham (Host) · 26:37
So in Japanese, in Japan, it's a massive culture. And viral online. Right.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 26:44
Well, that's right. And I mean, look at the Roman baths. We've been around water forever. We've known the mystery of the water and we know that it has benefits. So, yeah, fringe dweller, trailblazer.
John Milham (Host) · 26:59
Humans, often, to be honest, I don't know if it's true or not, but we hear, oh, we're 97% water. Yeah, right. You know, um, it's— is the nature of like, um, coming back to a substance of, um, you that feels safe and home, is that part of it?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 27:20
It is for me. It is for me. You know, I understand a lot of people fear the water, but you know, that's an education process too. And there's some wonderful people out there working in that area of agoraphobia with the water.. But, you know, and thank God they're doing that work. That's their genius.
John Milham (Host) · 27:38
What comes to mind also, a question about, you know, I've spoke to someone who was a veteran and had come back with complex PTSD. And he was using jiu-jitsu, right, as a way of sort of, you know, holding, you know, a sense of touch, right? So he was working with with others who, with PTSD, to lock them up in a sort of, you know, a compression, right, if you will. But instead of, you know, allowing the fear to go almost, right, that's because they, they didn't go too far. It wasn't painful. It was compressive but painful. And I'm getting the sense that water offers that medium as well, right? That sense of yeah, you know, encompassing of like a, you know, a natural hug, but it's not.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 28:32
That's it, actually. That's how some children describe that feeling under the water. It's like a warm hug. That's exactly how they, they explain it for some of the kids. I think for a lot of people, once they're over the fear of the water, it definitely would have that calming effect. But even to watch children— it happened for me yesterday. I have a work with James Yesterday, and he's a very busy boy. He's non-verbal, so, you know, we have our own language and our own understanding. But he, he's very nervous and anxious. But yesterday I had him, you know, eventually he trusted me enough to lay him on his back. I was holding him under his back and his head, and I could see him. So we had everything going on, you know, he the trust was there and he was hanging on to me. But eventually his head went back and what I find so beneficial, or I know I've got the sweet spot, is when their arms let me go and they're just floating in the water like a piece of seaweed, you know? And it's just those moments. They're just, I mean, we're in the bubble and it's just him and I and, you know, he's trusting the water, he's trusting me. Now we can work with some safe propulsion, whatever that might be for James.
John Milham (Host) · 29:52
So many people are concerned for young people in the community at the moment, right? And there's that sense of like being disconnected, uh, the sense of, of being superficial, um, of being constantly, um, activated, engaged, threatened, right? You know, to be in a state of stress. Is this part— like, how much of an answer is this for that kind of those concerns?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 30:17
Yeah, look, I think it's a huge answer, um, both being the recipient but also, you know, the, the aquatic therapist as well, you know, the actual doer. You know, you're right, it's a super busy time where we're, you know, we're supposed to respond quickly on our phones, we've got stress everywhere. But, you know, I think for me, working with these children and in this space, like the world stops when I'm in that space. Nothing else matters. And I think that kind of focus and being and having that kind of job, I guess, really sets me aside from those that are continually on the treadmill. You know, I can go in and out of being busy. I have my kids. Yeah. And it's my bubble and it takes all my focus because there's so much intuition that I use as well as the skills that I have. So for people doing this work, I would hope that they would get the same outcome, but receiving the water work, you know, there's a thing called watsu. I don't know a lot about it, but it is all about movement of a person in the water, adults as well, in a real fluid kind of dance almost. And the benefits of that are incredible. There's documentation and research done on that. I'm not sure if I answered your question well there.
John Milham (Host) · 31:49
No, no, it's lovely. And when you're describing those moments with James, right, I was there. I was relaxing myself. So I get so beautiful. And of course, everything we come up with ends up sort of getting an aquatic version, right? So aqua aerobics and, you know, yeah, that's right. Yeah, sport-wise, everything is mirrored in the water at some point, so we can't get away from it. What, what do you want to see happen? What, like, you, you, you are, you know, you're hands-on and making a difference to these, uh, kids with challenges, you know, making a difference to their lives. And, and, and then you're working with the teachers and try and train the trainer, right? And then you're advocating at a national level and research, of course. So that's a full card. What do you want to see happen as a result of all of your work and passion?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 32:46
Yeah, look, that's a good question too. And I do let myself dream about that. I would love Australia to lead the world in this area. You know, at the moment, we're working on an Australian context, so to speak. But we should be leading the world in this because of our background with water. Um, I want to see swim schools, and it seems to be mainly the larger swim schools, but I would love to see swim schools embrace the idea, just have the conversation to start with, but then embrace the idea around, you know, we need to change how we teach and implement some of these other strategies because our children are changing. Their behaviours are changing. And I do not like hearing when teachers can't cope with the behaviours and the children are decided they're naughty and they're disciplined accordingly. Well, they're not naughty, but if teachers understood why the behaviour was occurring in the first place and then implement certain strategies and solutions to why that behaviour is presenting, everybody's going to have a much much better outcome. The teachers are going to feel confident, empowered, you know. But so there, so there's that side of it, training. There's the education of the industry that this needs to change, you know. Everybody, a lot of people in the industry are saying the biggest challenges are how do we implement AI, how do we, you know, how do we retain staff. Well, I think our biggest challenge is how to work with the challenging behaviors.
John Milham (Host) · 34:19
Yeah, yeah, massive.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 34:19
If we can't, if we can't educate our teachers and, and train them up, we'll lose them. And that's a big fear of mine. We are losing teachers from the industry, which we can't afford to. Um, yeah, so I, and then I want to see the allied health profession take it on, whether it's part of the degrees that they do or a standalone degree. You know, we've scratched the surface there, and I'd love to get in front of a physio or an OT conference. And yeah, you know, come on, let's work on this collaboratively.
John Milham (Host) · 34:49
Do you think society, you know, constantly changing, you know, priorities in terms of spending and so on, we seem to be urbanizing a bit and moving away from perhaps some of the sort of more outdoor kind of engagements and pursuits, you know, eSport is a thing. What does society need to do to, you know, to build on, on the opportunity that, say, aquatic therapy and aquatic mentoring and even just swimming provides?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 35:23
I think they need to see it as a priority. You know, I, I know people are stretched budget-wise, and, you know, both parents are working a lot of the time. I think, I think we have to come back to basics and really value the learning of swimming. Yeah, because it is so good for our bodies and it's something we can do forever, you know. I'm back in the water at 59 and I'm loving it, and I'll be able to do that. You have an 80-year-old lady beside me some, some days. So I just think we have to come back to basics. And, and swimming is free generally. You go to the beach.
John Milham (Host) · 36:02
Yeah, you know, once you've learned to swim, municipal pools, and you know, like, yeah.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 36:07
You know, like $6 for a pool entry. Well, I think it goes a long way. I think also, and you know, this happened when I had my swim school, but a couple of children that were at the swim school, they're neurotypical children and they were swimming very well. They needed a bigger pool. So I, this one particular family, I encouraged them to go to a bigger pool and I knew the coach there and it was going to work really well. But the parent quietly said to me, look, I really don't want to. I don't want to get up early and, and then have to do that 2 or 3 times a week. I'm— yeah, I— yeah, I'm not motivated to do that. But the child's potential— so I think it's— I mean, I'm a parent too. Sometimes we've got to get out of our own way and, um, and go, okay, this is something for the child. So that was an interesting— that was an insight. I hadn't considered that.
John Milham (Host) · 36:58
No, absolutely. And it's like I recognize that, you know, being a parent with cricket, right? I couldn't, you know, my boys loved cricket, but, you know, it was a whole day I didn't have to spare.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 37:15
So, like, yeah, but on the flip side of that, John, and that's right, our daughter became a competitive swimmer, so we were up morning and night in the evening. Our son played competitive tennis, so we were the same, but But weren't they magical moments when you had conversations in the car? Or, you know, I wouldn't have changed it for the world. It was hard work and you went without, but yeah, they were great times.
John Milham (Host) · 37:41
No, absolutely. There's, you know, it's swings. I guess it's the commitment we make to, you know, parenting and, you know, top-level parenting, top-level therapy. So, and of course, so you're tied up in this. This is a massive part. This is who you are.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 37:58
It is who I am.
John Milham (Host) · 37:59
Yeah.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 38:00
And, you know, for the, for the women out there around my age who are wondering what they're doing, like, I'm so fortunate to have found this now. You know, I've been, I've been really in it for all my life. 42 years I've been teaching swimming, but for the last 12, I've really honed in on this specific area.
John Milham (Host) · 38:19
Well, you look wonderful. Thank you for like being courageously sharing your age, right? I'm not sure I'm that for ages. But, um, like, so obviously it's, it's, uh, you know, it's working for you. How do you think, um, uh, you know, this isn't— you know, how do you see yourself? Is this like, you know, uh, is this, you know, you are a, an aquatic mentor and all that it means and all that you embrace as a result? Or, you know, or, uh, do you have other things that you hope for? And dream that aren't wet?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 38:58
Oh, you know, golly.
John Milham (Host) · 39:02
Not there's any need to, right? Like you have a very full dance card.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 39:08
I do. I just get so much from it, John.
John Milham (Host) · 39:13
Yeah, lovely.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 39:14
You know, it's, as I said, a selfish pursuit. I am humbled by it. I am privileged. I can be in just that zone with that child. You can almost look into their eye, their soul almost, you know.
John Milham (Host) · 39:28
Yeah.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 39:29
And it just excites me. It just, you know, it's hard to explain, but it's a buzz, you know.
John Milham (Host) · 39:41
That's a beautiful way. Look, you are a wonderful advocate for a really interesting and important aspect of, of, you know, like both therapy but also of, of life, right? I think it, you know, very much a, a good thing, a thing Australians identify as, you know, being watermen sometimes.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 40:00
Yeah, I mean, we have two wonderful children who are, you know, young adults now and they're on their way, but it's so wonderful to watch them grow and make their decisions. Our daughter is doing a Master's of OT, and while both of them have been around my aquatic therapy Grace has thought and mentioned that, you know, down the track, Mom, if I've got my own business, I think that's something I will do.
John Milham (Host) · 40:22
We're talking dynasty, right? It's, uh, that's so good. Look, it's been fascinating to hear about your, um, your passion and your work and, uh, the potential it possesses. I, I feel, um, very engaged in the whole process. I'll look— I probably won't be taking up early morning squad work, right? But okay, or, and I'm a bit dubious about the ice baths, but I will definitely look to go soaking sometime very soon, right?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 40:53
Yes, please do. And, and I, I just wanted to add, you mentioned, you know, my mission in life. Yeah, before, you know, my dad being a farmer and he was self-taught, the unfortunate thing for Dad, I feel, is that he died with that knowledge in his head.
John Milham (Host) · 41:09
Yeah, wow.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 41:10
I don't want to do that. I want to share this with swim teachers, which is what we're doing, with anybody who will listen. So I, I want to share this knowledge and expertise.
John Milham (Host) · 41:20
And I love that idea, you know, and, and I'm so glad you got it to share a little bit about it. You've given us a wonderful insight into why this is important. And, um, uh, so how do people follow up with you? You right from here?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 41:36
I do have a LinkedIn page, Ruth Smith Aquatic Mentors. I have a website, Aquatic Mentors, and our email address and phone numbers are all over that. My private number as well.
John Milham (Host) · 41:49
Are there things for people to do if they contact you? Are you able to head them into a direction of where they can test, try, or benefit from aquatic?
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 41:58
Um, yes, the training that I provide and my colleague, uh, that's definitely for the swim schools in particular. Um, if they're wanting to know where they can get the knowledge that I've got and where I've gone and done my study, I'm happy to share all of that.
John Milham (Host) · 42:12
Beautiful.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 42:12
And, you know, just talk to the allied health profession and, and let's see what we can make work, you know. Let's collaborate.
John Milham (Host) · 42:20
Fantastic. Thank you so much, Ruth, for, uh, um, sharing today. It's been fascinating. I'm really engaged and feel like I would like to go for a swim but, uh, we'll see how that goes. Uh, look, really, yeah, wonderful to chat. Thank you again, and, uh, um, uh, thank you for being a Kintsugi hero.
Ruth Smith (Guest) · 42:40
Fantastic, John, it's been an absolute pleasure.
John Milham (Host) · 42:48
Thank you for listening to this episode of Kintsugi Heroes. Thank you to Colin Lilly for permission to use Broken as our theme music for this series. If you enjoyed this conversation, share the podcast with a friend and let us know by leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you'd like to support Kintsugi Heroes and the stories we share, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au and follow the instructions to make a tax-deductible donation. Thank you for listening, and we'll see you next time.
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