Jonathan's journey in the water began with recreational swimming at the New Settlement Community Center in the Bronx; at Thomas Jefferson City Park in Harlem. and later, at Asphalt Green, where he developed into a distance freestyler as an age grouper. Inspired by his older brother, he built a strong foundation in technique and water safety that inspired him to pursue lifeguard certification and teaching. Jonathan finds immense reward in celebrating his students’ small but meaningful achievements and building lasting relationships with them. A father of two, he enjoys spending his free time playing video games and going for walks.