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Bluefield College student, Julie Austin, started a swim club to share her love for swimming along with her love for fitness.

Emily Sears

February 22, 2011

Julie Austin had two goals when she started a swim club at Bluefield College last year. She wanted participants to challenge themselves physically, and she wanted them to have a good time.

“I started swimming on a team when I was five, and I was captain of my team in high school for two years,” said Austin, a junior from Richmond, Va. “I wanted to bring my love for swimming to the campus.”

Not only does Austin have a love for swimming, she is enthusiastic for overall physical wellness. She maintains a low-glycemic diet that includes foods such as organic protein bars, oatmeal, chicken, fish, nuts, fruit, and vegetables.

“The goal of low-glycemic is to keep your blood sugar even so that you do not have spikes,” said Austin. “You feel fuller longer this way and eat less.”

Pairing a diet with exercise is what makes a healthy lifestyle work for Austin. She has competed in three triathlons and several 5Ks in the past two years. She is also a member of the Triathlon Club at the Greater Bluefield Community Center and trains frequently with them.

“I have a passion for being healthy, and I want to share my passion with the world,” said Austin. “I hope that I can show people that living this way is easy as long as you learn what you should do. Most people do not understand what is healthy, or they think diets are the only way to lose weight or be healthy. If I can show them what I do is fun and how much better I feel doing it, I hope that I can make a difference in other peoples’ lives.” 

That is why Austin is very adamant that Swim Club is for any level: beginners who do not know how to swim or experts who need a new routine to stay challenged.

“We do a lot of different activities and exercises such as laps, stroke and breathing drills, treading water techniques, water sit-ups, and water polo,” said Austin. “However, I gauge what we do depending on the level of who comes.”

Swim club members are enthusiastic.

“I used to swim in high school, and I like that I can practice again even though I’m in college,” said Katilyn Duggins, a junior from Waynesboro, Va. “Julie keeps it fun and I like going every week.”

Swim Club meets every Tuesday at 8 p.m. at the GBCC. Everyone is welcome. For more information contact Julie Austin at .

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