John Fitzpatrick became a swim coach in 2001 while recovering from swimmer's shoulder, after Total Immersion founder Terry Laughlin's methodology relieved his pain and improved his stroke. He became a Total Immersion Certified Professional in 2002 and has coached adult and Masters swimmers full-time ever since.

In 2006, he built the Chicago Blue Dolphins swim studio around that same technique-first philosophy, later expanding into kids' and baby programs. That same coaching approach, built on consistency over intensity, now shapes PACE, his training system for adult, Masters, and triathlon swimmers.