How a Backyard Pool Helped One Pool Salesman Lose 150 Pounds — and Completely Change His Life

In this episode of Pool Magazine Podcast, host Joe Trusty sits down with James Votraw, Southeast Business Development Manager for Latham Pools, whose remarkable 150-pound weight-loss journey has captured national attention. James opens up about the moment that forced him to reevaluate his health, how a persistent case of hiccups and a hospital visit became his wake-up call, and how his backyard pool transformed from a simple amenity into the tool that completely changed his life.

As the conversation unfolds, Votraw explains how swimming each day reshaped not only his body but his mindset, career, and family life. He talks about consistency, balance, and how builders and designers can do a better job of framing pools as wellness spaces rather than just leisure features. His message to the pool industry is clear: the products we create don’t just beautify backyards—they can build better human beings.

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