We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Neva Fairfield a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Neva, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I get my resilience from a mix of experience and values.
I’ve been through plenty of setbacks — financial struggles, being on crutches, troubleshooting broken pools, and still showing up to teach even when things weren’t easy. Each of those moments forced me to decide whether to stop or to keep going.
What carried me through was what I learned early on at the YMCA and later as an American Red Cross instructor. Those values — community, safety, and service — became my foundation. They’re why I created Georgia Swim School, Joyful Waters, and Safe Shores Georgia.
Resilience has really been the throughline of my journey. It’s in every business I’ve started, every book I’ve written, and every program I’ve launched. For me, resilience isn’t about pushing through alone — it’s about holding onto purpose, finding creative ways forward, and making sure the work continues to serve others, no matter the challenges.
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 the founder of Joyful Waters and the host of the Navigating Neva podcast.
Joyful Waters is my heart project. It’s a swim program built on the belief that children deserve to feel safe, confident, and joyful in the water. What makes it special is that it’s not about forcing skills — it’s child-led, trauma-aware, and rooted in emotional security. We focus on comfort, trust, and confidence first, because I believe those are the foundations of true water safety. It’s been incredible to watch families embrace this approach and to see kids light up when they realize the water can feel like home, not fear.
At the same time, Navigating Neva allows me to expand that mission beyond the pool. On the podcast, I listen to and uplift other voices in aquatics, leadership, and community work. It’s become a space for sharing stories, challenging outdated norms, and inspiring fresh ideas.
What excites me most right now is the growth ahead. Joyful Waters is expanding through pilot programs, instructor training, and workshops — with the goal of making this child-centered approach available nationwide. With Navigating Neva, I’m leaning into deeper conversations and collaborations that push our industry forward and highlight the people behind the work.
At the end of the day, my brand is about changing the culture around swimming and leadership. I want to see fewer drownings, stronger communities, and more people equipped to lead with empathy, courage, and creativity. That’s what drives me every day.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
For me, the three most important qualities have been resilience, vision, and the ability to connect with people.
• Resilience has carried me through the unexpected — financial stress, physical setbacks, and even troubleshooting a pool that just wouldn’t cooperate. My advice: resilience isn’t something you’re born with, it’s built one challenge at a time. When things get tough, focus on the next small step instead of the whole mountain.
• Vision has been my compass. From Joyful Waters to Navigating Neva, I’ve always been driven by the bigger picture — ending drownings, creating child-led programs, and uplifting voices in aquatics. My advice: write down the “why” behind what you’re doing and revisit it often. That clarity will guide you when things get messy.
• Connection has opened more doors than anything else. Whether it’s listening to a child in the pool, building community partnerships, or amplifying other leaders on my podcast, relationships have shaped my journey. My advice: invest in people. Ask questions, listen deeply, and be generous with what you know.
If you’re just starting out, don’t wait until you feel ready. Start where you are, lean into these qualities, and let them grow with you.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes — collaboration is at the heart of what I do.
With Joyful Waters, I’m looking to connect with swim schools, early childhood educators, pediatric therapists, and community leaders who want to bring trauma-aware, child-led swim education into their programs. I believe the best way to end drownings is to shift culture — and that happens faster when we work together.
Through my Navigating Neva podcast, I also love partnering with leaders, innovators, and storytellers in aquatics and beyond who are willing to share their journey. The podcast is about lifting others up, and collaboration makes those conversations richer.
If you’re reading this and feel aligned with the mission of water safety, education, or community impact, I’d love to connect. You can reach me through my website www.navigatingneva.com or directly on LinkedIn. [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.navigatingneva.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/navigatingneva_2022?igsh=NWxmZHdlbDdyN2Rl&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19c6NQkmMa/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-fairfield-212a3640?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@navigatingneva5226?si=nuj_6YBftfvAbylM
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
