Only now did I find that Terry passed away. He and his wife taught me in 2013 when I was 53 years old and panting after only 8 laps. In only six months I was able to swim two hours straight (at a comfortable pace). Sending good energy your way, Terry!

I met Terry on rec.sport.swimming, where he showed grace and patience during almost constant attacks by doubters and critics. I soon took a TI course (under Glenn Mills) and did my best to support TI on that forum. At one point Terry asked me to write a book about my experiences. That idea eventually stalled but I did enjoy meeting Terry at the New Paltz facility. All condolences to the Laughlin family.

2 weeks ago I just lost a dear friend of mine from Pancreatic Cancer , her name Nancy age 60 and she inspire me so much by her Courage and Positive mind , She was so happy to be there for 2 grandchildren last summer , she was still doing good at Christmas after more than 2 years many chimiotherapy and 2 major surgery , then lost her battle over 4-5 days over New-Year. I did my swim at 35′ in her honor the Jan. 19 last week.

I send to Terry family my Prayer to be strong in the future and Proud of Terry Life .

Such may be the case of Terry himself and Total Immersion. What a testament and legacy he leaves after him. I can not thank Terry enough for Total Immersion as this, much like with the others here, Terry and TI have had as a profound impact on my life. When I first encountered Total Immersion, and eventually Terry, through his blogs, Youtube clips, and through copies of some of the TI tutorials – all these having started in 2013 and my life has since changed as I started to have a better appreciation (“feel) for the water and of swimming – this as I took in all the wisdom that Terrry has to offer – distilled through TI over time. It was like (despite the distance and having never met him personally – and now will never have the opportunity to) as if he was talking to me, particularly as TI was most suited to me, an adult late onset swimmer (I decided to learn “proper” swimming in 2013) mainly much like Tim Ferris (another wonderful person) to address an insecurity (I was 44 years old at the time and I did not practically knew how to swim) and somehow find a way to be fit. Fast forward, again, much like how Terry was like addressing me personally as I read his blogs/posts and when viewing/listening to his instructions in video clips/tutorials – referring to me as a visual learner – by which I could learn how to swim the TI way by watching and then applying what I have seen as I hit the water – and which I was able to do eventually with much success. At 48, I have started to join aquathlon events and have been able to place top finishes in my age group category, making as much use of the time I was able shave off the swim legs and be able to comfortably to complete the run legs afterwards. I too have come to use swimming at times as a form of meditation. More importantly, the most significant lesson I learned from Terry is his generosity in sharing to the world what he knows and in teaching others, like me, and thus in my own way, I try to share what I have come to know to those I come across with in the pool/water or even in related swim forums on the internet, whenever the time and opportunity affords it. My only regret was not having been able to thank Terry while he was alive.

Being the face and the driving force of TI, the void Terry leaves will be difficult and challenging to fill. I am sure though that as Terry would have it, as he believes in continuous learning, we all need to learn how to be better, and this time around without him. I can only hope and wish for the best to the one or those who will carry on what Terry has started – that he/she/they will have the same insight, vision, tenacity,and having that mind and attitude of always being open to learning and being better. This I think is the best way to celebrate his life and the legacy he leaves.

Happy laps, Terry – we may miss you physically and your happy laps here – but through the body of work you leave behind we will always remeber you fondly – and yes, we will keep swimming and as we do, we will hope the same for others as we hope that they will have happy laps themselves too. We will preach to the world as well to never practice struggle and to have the attitude of willing to learn each and every time to become better.

I thank God for you and your life. A man dedicated to his “craft” and a life well lived and spent.

[We all know that not everyone appreciates Terry, or at least some of his ways when dealing with those who do not necessarily share his thoughts/opinions, and TI, but again taking cue from Victor Hugo who said, “You have enemies? Why, it is the story of every man who has done a great deed or created a new idea.” – this only affirms the great deed/new idea done/created by Terry (he may not necessarily thought of those who do not share his thoughts/opinions nor who are not receptive to TI as his enemies in the real sense of the word – and in fact as I have learned – he himself have taken the opportunity to learn from these people and what they had to say).]