Meet: Woody Alpern
I am Woody Alpern owner of Big Blue Swim School. I have been married to my wife Amy for 32 years. We have two amazing daughters. Hallie is 29 and is a PA and our other daughter Joeli is 26 and is an OT. We also have our 5 1/2 year old red mini poodle, Elle who we absolutely consider our daughter as well. I am the co-host of the largest scuba diving YouTube channel called “Dive Talk”. I am an instructor trainer for scuba diving, an avid cave diver and an absolute lover of being in and/or near water at all times.
What inspired you to become involved in community service and how did you get started? Can you share some specific examples of the positive impact your efforts have had on the community?
I believe in giving back. I believe the more you give the more you are blessed. I’m also a very active member of the Pembroke Pines Chamber of Commerce and I’m excited to continue to immerse myself in the Pembroke Pines community and work with more great local organizations.
A brief description of what a day in your life looks like.
Record episodes for Dive Talk, have various meetings with our swim school managers and chief operating officer. Do onsite training that I help conduct for new swim associates. I often attend weekly community events with the chamber of commerce. Ongoing analysis and guidance to our entire swim school team as the CEO. Ongoing capacity planning for our swim school.
How do you maintain your motivation and passion for community service over time? What is your driving force?
That’s simple. It’s an absolute blast. I enjoy what I do so that motivates me every day. The more I’m involved the more fun I’m having. Giving feels amazing and is highly addictive. I truly believe in our mission statement “we show kids they can do anything by unlocking their full potential in the water.” It’s an unbelievable feeling of pride to see them succeed in swimming and hear from the parents how much this has helped their children’s confidence in all they do. I’ve been preaching the powers of water for decades and science is showing this to be more and more true.
What challenges have you faced while trying to make a difference in the community, and how did you overcome them?
Time management. You have to balance your daily work duties with community service. But I find the more I do the more productive I am. Try it. Take on even more positive impactful activities and you will find you can do much more in a day than you thought.
What are some of the most rewarding moments you’ve experienced during your work in the community?
I get to visit various schools that we provide scholarship money to so more kids can attend swim lessons. The kids and families cry with appreciation. We have changed their lives forever for the better.
What advice would you give to others who want to get involved in making their community a better place?
Dive in all the way and don’t have lapses in your involvement. Stay involved and take on leadership roles.
My Business: Big Blue Swim School
Big Blue Swim School offers an unparalleled swim lesson experience made easier and more effective by professional instructors, proprietary technology and curriculum, and family-friendly facilities. Big Blue creates and celebrates Big Moments in the pool which lead to kids learning they can achieve anything in life. We have clean, modern facilities; exceptional instructors; and a commitment to empowering kids for a lifetime of water enjoyment.
We have a range of swim programs with level-appropriate lessons to maximize swimmers’ opportunities to progress. At the Baby Blue level, swimmers learn skills such as breath control and the baby back float. At the Big Blue level, they work on refining and perfecting techniques for all four strokes. Through this range of different programs, we help kids from 3 months to 12 years old learn to swim, regardless of their previous experience.
My Favorites…
Restaurant
A great Sushi restaurant with my entire family. I love when my daughters order and they know exactly what I love so I just sit back and eat lol
Food
Sushi
Sports Team
I was born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale so I’m a Miami Dolphins fan.
Hobbies
Scuba dive and cave exploration.
Tv Show
Star Trek (Trekkie for life).
Quote
Whenever faced with decisions even hard ones just always do the right thing even if it’s the harder longer path. It will always pay you back huge dividends of success in the long run. Avoid the “short cuts” and enjoy the journey. Also it’s just as easy to choose positivity as it is negativity. Let’s make negativity the very last option or better yet no option at all. Positivity in all you do brings positive results.
Tip For Success
When you think you have given something 100% effort, give another 100%. We all have much more in us than we think.
Connect with Woody and follow along on his journey as he continues to change lives and create impact within our community!
Linda K Alpern
Huge Congratulations!
I found this extremely kind-hearted man known as Woody thru DiveTalk on youtube. A rarely miss a day of watching either a more current show or show from the past or both. So, ya, i tune daily. I’ve only found the show several months ago so there’s plenty to go.
I’m hooked on this show for a couple reasons, one being the dive content even though i’m not a diver. But, after tuning in, i quickly became aware that I do love the diving stories , as well as feeling as though i just cannot miss the drama of the dives, stories, interviews and commentary they cover.
It’s real life and I’ve always been drawn to non fictionalized stories and all sorts of documentaries, in particular those involving nature. So, there is always that that that but then, the interactions between Gus and Woody are infectious. It’s evident, y’all are the best of friends and you would anything for the other, both under water and on land But, y’all are opposites (personality wise) in the best way ever. You both bring out the best in the other. I believe you both challenge the other to consider some other way that might never even occur. It opens a world of insight and possibilities. It’s just straight cool to watch.
Congrats to Wood. I don’t know him personally but he wears his heart in his sleeve, so I feel like I do. This man is top notch, a stand-up guy, top of the heap!!
Sincerely,
S.Doherty
Hi everyone!
My name is Cory and I just wanted to say, Woody is simply one of the best figures for emulation you could ever look for. Please don’t change!!!