Pool News
How a Backyard Pool Helped One Pool Salesman Lose 150 Pounds — and Completely Change His Life
When James Votraw, Southeast Business Development Manager for Latham Pools, steps onto a jobsite or into a dealer’s office today, he carries a story that has now reached millions. Once weighing over 300 pounds and battling exhaustion, stress, and creeping health issues, Votraw has since become the face of one of the most inspiring transformations the pool industry has ever seen. Featured in Men’s Health, Men’s Fitness, and across national media, he lost nearly 150 pounds—not with fad diets, not with a punishing gym routine, but by stepping into the very thing that defines his industry: a backyard pool.
Before his transformation, Votraw was the picture of a hardworking industry veteran—managing more than 100 dealer accounts, traveling across Florida nonstop, and raising three children with his wife Jamie. “I’m in business development for Latham Pools and my main job is helping our dealers grow their businesses,” he explained. “Most of my days are part coaching, part problem-solving, and part road warrior.”
And while he always appreciated the joy pools brought to families, he never imagined the kind of personal transformation one could bring into his own life. “The funny thing is, I was helping everyone else build their dream lifestyle,” he said. “I wasn’t living mine. I was literally surrounded by pools, but not stepping into one.”
The shift began after a series of health scares—including weeks-long bouts of hiccups, a hospital visit, and dangerously high blood pressure—that forced him to confront the reality of where his health was heading. “I saw photos of myself and didn’t even recognize the person I’d become,” he said. “I was great at my job but terrible at taking care of myself.” With no medical solution in sight, he decided it was time to rebuild from the ground up.
Discovering the Power of a Pool
A Lifeline Just Ten Feet Away
What came next was as unexpected as it was life-changing. Votraw didn’t join a gym or hire a trainer. Instead, he made a connection that was hiding in plain sight. “I’ve been surrounded by pools my whole career,” he said. “I always knew they brought happiness to other people. But I never looked at one as a tool for transformation. One day it just clicked: I don’t need a gym membership. I have a world-class training tool sitting in my backyard.”
From that moment, everything changed. “Once I started swimming, the pool stopped being something I sold,” he said. “It became my therapy. My gym. My sanctuary.”
At 5:00 or 6:00 a.m., before his family woke up and before the dealer calls began, he slipped into the water and let the world fall away. Swimming became the space where he reset, recalibrated, and slowly reclaimed control of his health.
The Humbling Start
Even with a lifetime of recreational swimming behind him, the physical reality of swimming for exercise hit hard. “I thought I was just gonna glide across the pool like Michael Phelps,” he joked. “But those first few sessions were rough. Ten minutes felt like an hour. My lungs were on fire.”
But he kept showing up. Every day. No excuses. “I wasn’t chasing a six-pack. I was chasing consistency,” he said.
The First Major Shift
Around the one-month mark, everything began to click into place. “My body was changing, yes,” he recalled. “But the real shift was mental. I started craving that feeling of calm after a swim. That mental reset.”
Water forced him to be present. “Swimming forces you to breathe differently. You can’t check your phone. You can’t check your emails. It’s just you and your rhythm.”
His internal clock changed, too. “When I was heavy, I was forcing myself to get up at 7:00 a.m. Suddenly my body was waking me up at 5:00 a.m.—energized, ready.”
Rebuilding Life One Lap at a Time
A Routine That Became a Lifestyle
More than 500 consecutive swims later, Votraw no longer counts days. Swimming has become as ingrained as drinking his morning coffee. “Sometimes it’s 30 minutes. Sometimes it’s an hour. Sometimes I lose myself in the water and go way over,” he said.
There’s no playlist, no noise, no distraction. “It’s my alone time. It’s my quiet time,” he said. “It’s just me in my head.”
And he’s quick to emphasize that anyone can start small. “Don’t make it a mountain,” he said. “Ten minutes. That’s how I started. Ten minutes twice a day. Just get in the pool and be consistent.”
A Diet Built to Last
Unlike many weight-loss stories, Votraw didn’t rely on strict fad diets. “I wanted something I could do forever,” he said. “Nothing was off limits. I used an 80/20 approach. If I really wanted a McDonald’s cheeseburger, I’d work it into my calories.”
His philosophy is simple: sustainability beats intensity. “Everyone can lose weight,” he said. “The real challenge is keeping it off.”
By focusing on protein, fiber, whole foods—and yes, the occasional processed treat—he created a way of eating that supported his training without feeling restrictive. Today, in maintenance mode, he’s stronger, leaner, and more confident than he’s been in decades.
The Emotional Impact
Weight loss didn’t just improve his health; it changed how he saw himself. “It made me a better father, a better husband, a better employee,” he said. “I think I was good at all those things before… but this gave me confidence.”
One admission was particularly raw. “I used to hide behind black clothes,” he said. “Everything I wore was black. You don’t know your style when you’re hiding behind your weight.”
He also noticed a painful truth about society. “People treat you differently when you’re not obese,” he said. “People open doors. They talk to you differently. It does something for your confidence.”
What His Journey Means for the Pool Industry
A New Way to Talk About Pools
The pool industry is filled with messaging about fun, family, and lifestyle — but Votraw believes we’re underplaying one of the most powerful elements: wellness. “You don’t need a huge pool to make a huge impact,” he said. “Length for laps, consistent depth, integrated steps for recovery, automation, temperature control… that’s what matters.”
His own fiberglass pool is a testament to what a wellness-first design looks like. “I’m fortunate,” he said. “I have an auto cover, a heater and chiller, a freshwater system. It’s like swimming in a natural spring every day.”
Builders and designers, he believes, should rethink how they present pools during the sales process. “The narrative needs to shift,” he said. “The pool isn’t just a place to host barbecues or float with a beer. It’s a place to build better human beings.”
A Message the Industry Needs to Hear
People invest thousands in gym equipment, trainers, recovery tools, and fitness subscriptions. Meanwhile, the pool—often seen only as a luxury—is an all-in-one wellness platform hiding in plain sight. “The pool does it all,” Votraw said. “Cardio, strength, rehab, mindfulness.”
His transformation proves it.
And his message to the rest of the pool industry is simple: “What we build literally changes people’s lives.”
Ready to take a deeper dive?
Listen to our entire conversation with James Votraw on the Pool Magazine Podcast.
Poolside Adventures and Landmark Aquatic have joined forces to bring big-impact attractions with a small footprint to aquatic facilities across the country. The partnership pairs Poolside Adventures’ AquaClimb®, AquaZip’N® and AquaNinja® FLX attractions with Landmark’s expansive nationwide reach and proven expertise in aquatic facility design, construction, renovation, and maintenance.
Poolside Adventures attractions add excitement to aquatic facilities without a major renovation because they anchor directly to an existing pool deck with no water hookups, special tools or added concrete and reinforcement. In fact, the modular AquaClimb® walls can start with one section and grow with budgets. The AquaZip’N® is rapidly becoming a new, safer alternative to diving boards as it only requires four feet of water depth, can be installed in just a few hours, and has a throughput of six riders a minute.
“Some municipalities can’t afford a new water park or perhaps cannot renovate their pool this year,” said Cherie Moy, VP of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships for Poolside Adventures. “Our products are an easy answer: a big impact with a small footprint, adding an ‘active attraction’ that makes the pool more exciting.”
“Landmark has a large footprint across the country, and we’re especially excited about their reach into HOA communities, a growing market where our partnership has already led to multiple installations,” said Moy. “Together, we will help clients find the right fit for their space, their budget and to add action and adventure to their pool experience.”
Matt Cappello, Vice President of Design at Landmark Aquatic agrees saying, “We’re excited to collaborate with Poolside Adventures to promote the versatility, ease of installation and entertainment value their products will bring to more pools across the country.”
About Landmark
Since 1967, Landmark Aquatic has helped communities and organizations bring complex aquatic facilities to life and keep them performing. Today, we are the nation’s largest integrated commercial aquatics platform, providing design, construction, renovation, restoration, and maintenance services nationwide. Our construction-led expertise and long-term service capabilities give customers one trusted partner across every stage of a facility’s lifecycle. For the life of your pool. Learn more at www.landmarkaquatic.com.
About Poolside Adventures
For more than 20 years, Poolside Adventures’ flagship AquaClimb® has led the market for poolside climbing walls. Its full line, including the AquaClimb® Luxe, AquaZip’N® and AquaNinja® FLX, delivers challenging, safe fun for swimmers of all ages. For more about Poolside Adventures visit www.aquaclimb.com.
Vic Harshman brings extensive pool building experience to key leadership role
- Decades of proven pool construction experience across Nevada, Arizona and Texas
- Previously served as Shasta Pools’ exclusive excavation contractor
- Predecessor handpicked Harshman to grow position under new leadership team
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (October 5, 2026) – Shasta Pools, Phoenix Metro’s most recognized pool builder, named Vic Harshman as Head of Residential Construction. Harshman joins the new leadership team with more than three decades of hands-on industry experience and a long-standing relationship with the company to one of its most critical leadership roles.
Harshman has held senior construction leadership positions in Arizona and Texas, and worked closely with Shasta Pools, developing firsthand knowledge about the company’s standards, culture and customers. The appointment reflects the momentum Shasta Pools has built since its August 6 acquisition by Dansons Capital Group, Accrual Equity Partners, and Hydro Construction, and positions the full-service 60-year old pool company for continued growth.
Leadership Perspective
“Vic brings exactly the kind of no-nonsense, customer-first leadership our residential construction division needs,” said Jeff Thiessen, President, Dansons Capital Group. “His philosophy is deeply aligned with ours. Keeping customers’ needs as the foremost priority at every stage of the build process is at the center of everything we do, and Vic lives that every day.”
Harshman’s career in pool construction began at age 19, when he purchased a backhoe and launched a business digging plumbing trenches and footings. When the housing market declined in the late 1980s, he relocated to Las Vegas and began excavating swimming pools, a move that led to the creation of Harshman Excavating.
Harshman built and operated excavation businesses in Nevada, Arizona and Texas, primarily serving the pool industry, and served for a period as Shasta’s exclusive excavation contractor.
In 2012, Harshman joined A&A Manufacturing, serving pool builders across an eight-state region and growing annual sales by 10x. In 2020, he joined Keith Zars Pools in Texas as Director of Construction, where he brought together decades of ownership, leadership and industry knowledge.
A Return Rooted in Relationships
“I have always believed that strong relationships, hard work, accountability and taking care of people are the foundation of a successful business,” said Vic Harshman, Head of Residential Construction, Shasta Pools. “Shasta has been a meaningful part of my career for many years. I am genuinely excited to come back and help lead this team into a very exciting future.”
Harshman steps into the role with the full support of Dan Thiessen, Chairman of the new ownership team, and John Mortensen, the outgoing head of residential construction. Mortensen recommended Harshman for the position and will now serve as the company’s lead trainer. That transition reflects Shasta Pools’ commitment to investing in its people and preserving institutional knowledge as the organization continues to grow.
ABOUT SHASTA POOLS:
Shasta Pools is Arizona’s trusted name in custom pool building, proudly serving the Valley since 1966. For 60 years, Shasta has transformed backyards into beautiful, functional spaces where families relax, entertain and enjoy life. The company specializes in new pool construction, remodeling, pool service and landscape design with plans for expansion into the home services market to provide customers with complete home care solutions. Learn more at ShastaPools.com.
ABOUT DANSONS CAPITAL GROUP:
Dansons Capital Group, headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a family-owned and family-managed investment firm built on shared values, integrity and long-term vision. The firm was established by the founders of Dansons, Inc., the company that launched and sold Pit Boss Grills. The company takes a hands-on approach, actively seeking opportunities across global markets and multiple asset classes. Its growing portfolio includes strategic real estate development holdings across multiple countries, oil drilling technologies, and limited partnership investments. Guided by a deep commitment to quality and the communities they serve, the Thiessen family leads with gratefulness for the blessings God has given them and in turn supports those less fortunate. Dansons Capital Group continues to identify and cultivate opportunities that reflect their family’s values and generational vision.
ABOUT ACCRUAL EQUITY PARTNERS:
Accrual Equity Partners (AEP) is a founder-led, privately funded private equity group built on the belief that every person, every percentage, and every product matters. This commitment, known as the “Power of One,” drives AEP’s mission to empower businesses and secure legacies across fragmented, service-based industries. AEP partners with founder-led and family-owned businesses to overcome barriers and unlock their full potential through strategic investment, operational performance enhancement, and advisory services. For more information, visit AccrualEquityPartners.com.
ABOUT HYDRO CONSTRUCTION:
Hydro Construction, LLC (HydroCon) was founded in 1986 to serve Arizona’s commercial pool construction and renovation market. Under the leadership of Curt Lonsdale, the company’s commercial pool construction division now manages some of the largest and most complex projects in the country.
Flowood, MS, October 1 – The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) is pleased to announce the addition of Jennifer Ibe as Membership and Sponsorship Sales Manager and Rachel Smith as Membership Marketing Manager. The two new positions strengthen NTCA’s focus on membership growth, retention, engagement, and delivering greater value to members.
“Growing and strengthening our membership is a key priority for the NTCA, and Jennifer and Rachel bring the experience and expertise to help us do that,” said Jeremy Sax, Deputy Director of NTCA. “Their complementary skills will allow us to take a more strategic approach to both membership development and the overall member experience.”
Jennifer Ibe, Membership and Sponsorship Sales Manager
Ibe brings more than 10 years of experience in association events, sales, sponsorships, relationship management, and strategic growth. Most recently, she served as Director of Sponsorship and Sales for the Global Workspace Association, where she led major conferences, sponsorship development, budgets, and initiatives that increased attendance by 33% and profitability by 30%.
At the NTCA, Ibe will lead membership recruitment, retention, re-engagement, and relationship development while supporting sponsorship and partner revenue opportunities. She will also represent the NTCA at major industry events and help strengthen relationships with members and prospective members.
Ibe holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Rachel Smith, Membership Marketing Manager
Smith brings extensive association experience in membership, communications, digital engagement, and member programming. Most recently, she served as Digital Communications Manager for the Association of Electric Companies of Texas. Previously, as Director of Membership for the Texas Economic Development Council, she managed more than 1,000 members and developed programs to increase member engagement and networking. She also served as Membership Coordinator for the Texas Association of Community Health Centers, where she managed more than 5,000 members and led new-member onboarding and retention initiatives.
At NTCA, Smith will focus on member onboarding, retention campaigns, communications, digital engagement, webinars, events, and community development. She will also support membership analytics and digital initiatives aimed at strengthening the member experience.
Smith holds a B.A. in Communications with a minor in Social Justice from West Virginia Wesleyan College.
“Jennifer’s focus on relationship-building and membership development, combined with Rachel’s experience in member communications and engagement, gives us a strong team focused on every stage of the member journey,” Sax added. “We’re excited about what this means for our members and for the future growth of NTCA.”
About NTCA
Established in 1947, the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to the professional installation of ceramic tile and natural stone. It is widely recognized as the largest and most respected tile contractors’ association in the world. For those seeking to improve their tile business, NTCA provides unparalleled educational experiences, supportive peer interaction, unique cost-savings programs, and a commitment to help develop the skills needed to improve your work, recruit, train, and manage your employees, and ultimately, make your business more profitable. Find out more at www.tile-assn.com.
Read the Summer Issue of Pool Magazine
See more of our coverage in your search results
Sponsored Advertisement
Pentair Names Josh Cowley Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, Pentair Pool
Soake Pools Bolsters National Growth With Four Key Hires
Hayward Holdings Names New Chief Accounting Officer
Daldorado Names Marcia Gyles Director of Sales
Landmark Aquatic Brings Poolside Adventures Attractions Nationwide
Shasta Pools Hires 30-Year Builder to Head Residential Construction
Watershape University Announces Fall 2026 Session in San Diego
SRS Distribution Announces Expansion In The Southeast With The Acquisition Of Sunniland Corporation
Amurjo Natural Pool: The Longest Pool in Europe
2022 Winners of Pleatco Perfect Pool Tech Awards
Honoring the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Pool Pro Award Winners With Pentair Pool
Why Do We Need Accurate Swimming Pool Chemical Logs?
Amenity Collective Launches Amenity Construction Group
Fluidra EARNS 2024 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year AWARD
Sponsored Advertisement
Pool News4 weeks agoLeslie’s Reportedly Prepares for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy as Possible Nasdaq Delisting Looms
Pool News3 weeks agoLeslie’s Files Chapter 11, Lenders Set to Take Control in Major Restructuring
Features3 weeks agoA New Era at POOLCORP: John Watwood Focuses on Customers and the Fundamentals
Pool Equipment3 weeks agoAquaLink® EDGE™ and trackr iO Signal a New Direction for Pool Automation
Press Releases4 weeks agoFSPA and PHTA Reunite Through Historic Affiliation
Pool News2 weeks agoShasta Pools Hires 30-Year Builder to Head Residential Construction
Retail3 weeks agoNasdaq to Suspend Trading in Leslie’s Stock on October 6
Industry News2 weeks agoWatershape University Announces Fall 2026 Session in San Diego
You must be logged in to post a comment Login