The Way of the Water (Paperback)

The Way of the Water is not a traditional swimming book. It is a philosophical and practical exploration of what it means to pursue mastery in the water and in life.

Blending the spirit of Miyamoto Musashi’s The Book of Five Rings with the art and discipline of competitive swimming, this book offers a new lens through which to view training, performance, and personal growth.

Through the five “rings”—freestyle (ground), backstroke (water), breaststroke (fire), butterfly (wind), and the mind (void)—readers are guided beyond technique into rhythm, awareness, and flow. It is a journey into the deeper layers of sport, where discipline shapes character, suffering becomes meaningful, and movement becomes expression.

Written for swimmers, coaches, and anyone pursuing excellence, this book bridges ancient wisdom and modern performance. It challenges conventional ideas of success and invites readers to reconnect with their craft—not just to improve, but to transform.

Julio Zárate is a lifelong student of movement, mastery, and the water. Born into a Navy family, he grew up as a "military brat," attending ten different schools across five states-New Jersey, California, Virginia, Texas, and Maryland-before reaching high school. The constant change shaped his adaptability, creativity, and appreciation for the communities that sports and learning can build. He eventually settled in Montgomery County, Maryland, and still considers the greater Washington, DC, area home.A professional swim coach for more than twenty years, Julio has guided athletes at every level-from adults learning to swim for the first time to competitors qualifying for the US Olympic Trials. He most recently served as head site coach for the North Site of SwimMAC Carolina, where he managed and mentored the coaching staff, and, at the time of writing, is the owner and head coach of Those Who Hustle. SwimMAC, a USA Swimming-registered club, has been ranked the number-one team in the nation across several metrics for three consecutive years (2022-2024). Julio is an ASCA Level 4 coach.Before coaching full-time, Julio studied fine arts in college, majoring in studio art with a concentration in oils. That creative foundation deeply influences both his coaching style and his writing.Julio is married and the father of three children. His oldest son, Mac, was the spark behind his journey into writing-after countless nights of storytelling together, especially tales about Barfus and Tom. Those moments of imagination and connection inspired him to put pen to paper and explore the deeper lessons swimming and life have to offer.This is Julio's first book.