Meet Dan Daly

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dan Daly a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Dan with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

My work ethic was shaped early on by the belief that any job worth doing is worth doing well. Growing up, I was taught to hold myself to high standards and push for excellence in everything I take on. I’m naturally competitive, and swimming fueled that drive even more, as it requires incredible self-discipline and a strong work ethic to pursue long-term goals while constantly competing against the clock and yourself.

As a coach, I carry these principles into my work. I see my role as much more than just guiding athletes; it’s about providing exceptional service and exceeding expectations in both experience and results. Whether it’s developing training programs or supporting athletes through their journey, I’m driven to go above and beyond every day.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a New York City-based strength and conditioning coach specializing in training youth, masters, open-water, and triathlete swimmers. My approach includes 1-on-1 in-person and virtual coaching, as well as tailored and general digital programming. With nearly 20 years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of working with swimmers globally, and I’m a sought-after speaker, author, and brand consultant within the swimming and sports performance industries.

What I find most exciting about my work is helping swimmers make the critical connection between their function on land and their performance in the water. I incorporate advanced digital tools, wearables, and the latest in sports science to provide precise, data-driven insights that enhance training outcomes. Through tools like land-based movement screens, functional resistance training, underwater video analysis, and goal-specific program design, I empower athletes to reach new heights by optimizing their technique, conditioning, and recovery.

I’m enthusiastic about expanding my coaching platform and contributing to the sport of swimming through specialized programming and educational events. Coming up, I’ll be presenting at the Beyond the Breakers Open Water Swim Conference in Boston on November 9th, where I’ll share research on resistance training for open-water swimmers. I’ll also be part of an author’s roundtable at the 2025 NSCA Coaches Conference in New Orleans this January, discussing my recently published chapter, Core Training for Swimming, in the NSCA’s new edition of Developing the Core.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Finding the intersection of viability and passion has been pivotal in my journey. My advice is to identify what excites you most, explore the problems in that space, and focus on where your skills can offer viable, unique solutions. This approach takes time and requires a commitment to consistency. Don’t rush the process—true growth comes from ongoing dedication.

Second, cultivate a mindset of lifelong learning. Be willing to acquire new skills, embrace different experiences, and, importantly, be vulnerable to making mistakes along the way. Each failure is an opportunity to refine your approach.

Finally, remember that action is the catalyst for progress. Begin with small, consistent steps, and remain open-minded about where they may lead. Hard work paired with an adaptable mindset can open doors you never anticipated, leading you to unexpected successes.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

For someone just starting out, it’s common not to fully recognize their strengths yet or have the confidence to lean into them. Early on, we tend to focus on what we lack, which often leads us on a journey to acquire a range of new skills. While this can be useful, it also risks pulling us into the trap of trying to be a jack of all trades, especially in coaching, where there’s pressure to be everything to everyone. Building a diverse skill set is beneficial, but the real turning point comes when you identify the areas you’re particularly skilled in and passionate about. That’s when you can double down and become an indispensable resource in a specific niche.

Personally, my journey started as a collegiate swimmer, where I quickly recognized the importance of what I was doing outside the pool—like resistance training, recovery, and nutrition. This curiosity drove me to learn as much as possible, which led to becoming a resource for my teammates. That interest ultimately led me to pursue a degree in exercise science and nutrition. Along the way, I took a break from swimming to develop coaching skills, learn adult learning theories, and refine my communication and presentation abilities. These skills helped me realize my unique talent for guiding endurance athletes in improving their cardiovascular performance through strength, nutrition, and recovery.

In the end, it brought me back to my original passion: helping other swimmers, by combining my experience as an elite swimmer with my professional expertise in strength and conditioning. Leaning into my strengths, developed through experience and formal training, has allowed me to focus on what I’m best at while drawing on those foundational skills to enhance my approach and connect with athletes.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience is often the x-factor that differentiates between mild and wild success. The stories of

Productivity
Beating Burnout

Often the key to having massive impact is the ability to keep going when others

Leadership Development
Finding Your Why

Not knowing why you are going wherever it is that you are going sounds silly,