Founder of Live. Love. Swim! | Building the Mini Nautical Center
Meet Coach Marla
Coach Marla is a certified educator, swim coach, and lifelong aquatics professional with over 20 years of experience teaching swimmers of all ages and abilities.
She began her journey in aquatics at just 15 years old and has since dedicated her life to helping others feel safe, confident, and strong in the water.
As a Black woman in aquatics, Coach Marla understands firsthand the gaps in access, representation, and water safety education. Her work is rooted in changing that.
What She Does
Through Live. Love. Swim!, Coach Marla provides personalized swim instruction for:
- Children learning water safety
- Adults learning to swim for the first time
- Nervous and beginner swimmers
- Adaptive swimmers with diverse needs
- Families seeking a supportive, private learning environment
Her teaching approach focuses on:
✔ confidence first
✔ safety always
✔ progress at each swimmer’s pace
Why This Work Matters
In Memphis and surrounding communities, access to swim education is often limited, inconsistent, or unavailable.
Many individuals:
- Never learn to swim
- Lose skills due to seasonal gaps
- Carry fear or uncertainty around water
Coach Marla’s work is centered on changing that reality.
She believes that…
Swimming is not just a skill.
It is a life-saving necessity.
This Season
Right now, Coach Marla is navigating a season that requires her to focus on her health as she undergoes treatment for breast cancer.
Swim lessons are paused for the remainder of 2026.
The mission continues, with a focus on building the Mini Nautical Center and long-term sustainability.
What She’s Building
Coach Marla is currently building the Live. Love. Swim! Mini Nautical Center.
A year-round, heated instructional swim space designed to provide:
- Consistent access to swim lessons
- A safe and controlled learning environment
- Long-term sustainability for the program
- Expanded access for the Memphis community
This space represents the next chapter of Live. Love. Swim!.
Not just teaching lessons.
But creating something that lasts.
Looking Ahead
Coach Marla remains committed to:
- Inclusive aquatics education
- Serving underrepresented communities
- Building confidence through swimming
- Creating long-term impact through accessible programming
Her work continues with intention, care, and a deep commitment to the community she serves.
Stay Connected
If you are interested in lessons once they resume, join the waitlist to be notified when scheduling reopens.
If you would like to support the Mini Nautical Center, you can learn more through the website.
If you’d like to follow more of Coach Marla’s journey, reflections, and updates, you can subscribe on Substack.
Live. Love. Swim!, LLC 