After many years of successfully running an international advertising, marketing, public relations and promotional merchandise agency, Louis Tharp decided it was time for a change. Determined to improve his lifestyle, he not only began swimming regularly as part of a comprehensive health and fitness routine, but also switched careers to become a social entrepreneur. Louis Tharp is now a well-decorated swimmer, coach of a successful triathlon team and co-founder of two global organizations that improve the quality of life for those living with chronic diseases.
When Louis Tharp first started swimming, he encountered conventional, old-fashioned training techniques. Dissatisfied with his lack of improvement, he found a one-of-a-kind method that improved his skill set and produced positive results. Over the next decade, he shed 80 pounds, competed in regional, international and local meets and over the course of time became a World Master’s medalist.
In 2006, during a regular training swim at the U.S. Military Academy, a cadet in the next lane asked him for help. Two cadets asked for assistance the next day and within a week, he was invited to their triathlon swim practice. The next year, thanks to his guidance and the overachiever mentality of the cadets, the 2007 US Army tri team swam to success, placing fifth in triathlon Collegiate Nationals and third in the ITU Worlds in Hamburg.
His 2007 book is a collection of emails that elaborate on the team’s demanding training methods. On top of authoring and coaching, he is a successful competitive swimmer, medaliing in the 2009 Outgames, the 1998 World Masters and the 2006 Gay Games.
You don’t have to win international medals to have a successful life transformation. Louis Tharp is only an example of how a person can change their life for the better.
Louis Tharp is a competitive swimmer and swim coach of the U.S. Army triathlon team, one of the best college triathlon teams in the country. Louis Tharp also wrote “Overachiever’s Diary: How the Army Triathlon Team Became World Contender,” which chronicles the team’s rise to success.
