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Name: Morgan Anderson
Job Title: Swim Instructor, Deck Coordinator
Asphalt Green Department: Aquatics
Asphalt Green Campus: Battery Park City
Q: How long have you been working at Asphalt Green?
A: I started at Asphalt Green’s Battery Park City campus in September 2014.
Q: What do you do at Asphalt Green?
A: I work in the aquatics department as a swim instructor and deck coordinator. My biggest responsibility is leading the Swim League, our top level class in the swim school. I treat Swim League as a pre-competitive team. In addition to technique, we teach athletes competitive team values such as working toward goals, responsibility, and accountability. The swimmers are hard workers, and we have so much fun in practice!
Q: What do you love most about working at Asphalt Green?
A: I love the sense of community with the staff. We have an awesome support system. Everyone working in aquatics (instructors, managers, lifeguards, coaches) has a deep love for what they do. There's always an open door for questions, conversations, and brainstorming about ways to make our program, students, and ourselves stronger!
Q: What is one of your fondest memories of working at Asphalt Green so far?
A: I had a BLAST volunteering at Big Swim Big Kick last year. I was helping out on the pool deck, so met all of the awesome kids before they swam! I even got to see some of my own students. We laughed, danced, and got in the zone together.
Q: When did you start swimming?
A: I've always been a fish; I have loved the water ever since I can remember, but I began swimming competitively at the age of 12.
Q: How did you get into the aquatics industry?
A: Once I moved to the city after graduating in 2013, I no longer had an outlet for my inner fish. I always loved creating workouts for my college team, so I searched for a way to get involved on the coaching side of the sport.
Q: Do you play any other sports?
A: I am actually training for a triathlon. I love it!
Q: Who is your favorite athlete?
A: Misty Copeland. She's a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre. She is articulate and an animal on stage. If you haven't seen her perform, put it on your list of things to do! I've also been in ballet class with her many times! I love the passion that pours out of her body whenever she dances. She also has unwavering persistence.
Q: Who inspires you?
A: I'm inspired by a crazy amount of people, but if I had to choose just one, I would choose my mom. She is the definition of someone that NEVER gives up and ALWAYS pushes herself to give more.
Q: What is your best swim tip to share with young athletes?
A: At the end of the day, you're really racing the clock more than the other swimmers in the pool. You must know how to push yourself rather than relying on others to push you. It's a basic tip, but I think the concept reaches beyond the pool.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: I have many favorite quotes/mantras that I think of and use on a daily basis. One that I've had stuck in my head lately is about dancing, but I think it applies to all aspects of life:
"Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion." -Martha Graham
Q: What is a fun fact about Morgan?
A: I am a professional modern dancer. I work with multiple companies in NYC and have also presented my own choreography. If I'm not at the pool, you can usually find me in one of the studios dancing around.