What I Witnessed at a High School Swim Meet That Every Parent Should Know
At a recent high school swim meet, I witnessed something that stayed with me. A teenage swimmer, a strong competitor and top finisher, climbed out of the water after her event and began gasping for air.
I was volunteering that day and, while she was surrounded by coaches and teammates, my background as a respiratory therapist immediately took over. Her color looked fine, but she was clearly struggling to take in air. I introduced myself to her coach, explained my medical background, and offered to help.
“Raise your arms above your head,” I said gently. “Take slow breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.”
As she worked to slow her breathing, I asked someone nearby to grab a small cup of black coffee. A measured amount of caffeine, taken this way, can act as a mild bronchodilator and help relax the airways, something I learned long ago in clinical practice.
Within moments, her breathing began to settle and her chest expanded more easily. She was no longer in distress. Later, I noticed an open can of a popular energy drink beside her chair. I couldn’t know how much she had consumed, but it caught my attention.
Calm water reflections — a reminder that balance, awareness, and proper recovery create true energy, not stimulants.
From Electrophysiology to Holistic Health
Before shifting my focus to functional nutrition and holistic health, I worked for many years in electrophysiology, a branch of cardiology that studies the heart’s electrical system and rhythm.
That background shaped how I view health today. I’ve seen how stimulants, stress, and lifestyle factors can influence the body’s most vital rhythms. Although I no longer practice clinically, I remain a licensed respiratory therapist, and that medical foundation continues to guide my work as a functional nutrition and holistic health coach.
There’s a deep sense of purpose in being on the proactive side of health… helping others live intentionally and prevent the very issues I once saw treated in hospital settings.
The Physiology Behind What I Saw
The episode I witnessed that day likely wasn’t asthma. It was a combination of stimulant overload, adrenaline surge, and something known as respiratory alkalosis, which occurs when someone breathes too quickly and exhales more carbon dioxide than the body can replace. This temporary shift in blood chemistry can cause light-headedness, tingling, and the feeling of not being able to get enough air, even though oxygen levels are normal.
Here’s what happens:
Energy drinks often contain high amounts of caffeine and additional stimulants such as taurine and guarana.
These compounds activate the body’s stress response, known as the sympathetic nervous system, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and adrenaline.
When combined with intense physical exertion, it can create a perfect storm of chest tightness, rapid breathing, light-headedness, and the sensation of not being able to get enough air.
Physiologically, it isn’t always a lack of oxygen. More often, it’s over-stimulation and hyperventilation. The body is flooded with adrenaline and can’t shift back into balance as quickly as it should.
While the athlete recovered well, what I witnessed was a reminder that these products are far from harmless, especially for adolescents whose cardiovascular and nervous systems are still developing.
The Hidden Risks of “Clean” Energy Drinks
Many energy drinks today are packaged to look healthy. They’re labeled as zero sugar, naturally flavored, or fitness-friendly. The branding feels modern and wellness-oriented, but the stimulant content is anything but gentle.
A single can can contain the caffeine equivalent of two strong cups of coffee. For a teenager, that’s a significant dose. Add the natural adrenaline rush of competition, and the body can easily be pushed into overdrive… fast heart rate, tremor, nausea, dizziness, or breathlessness.
Even small rhythm disturbances can be triggered by sudden spikes in stimulation, and while rare, that’s one reason why we occasionally hear of young athletes experiencing cardiac events during training or competition.
Why So Many Teens Are Reaching for Them
It’s easy to understand the temptation. Early practices, long meet days, schoolwork, exhaustion… teens are looking for something to keep them going. Energy drinks promise alertness and endurance, but what they really deliver is borrowed energy. It’s a short-term surge that drains the body’s natural reserves and taxes the very systems that support recovery.
For growing athletes, real performance comes from balanced meals, hydration, rest, and recovery, not stimulants.
What Parents Should Know
I’m not sharing this story to create fear but to help parents and coaches recognize what’s really happening.
Caffeine limits – The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages energy drink use in adolescents entirely. Even one can typically exceeds what would be considered a safe caffeine limit for a teen.
Recognize the signs – racing heart, dizziness, chest tightness, shakiness, or the feeling of not being able to breathe deeply after exertion.
Focus on real fuel – balanced meals with protein and complex carbohydrates, adequate rest, and hydration with clean electrolytes from brands such as Needed or Pique, or naturally from pure coconut water.
Set the example – kids learn how to manage energy by watching how we manage ours.
Energy drinks aren’t a safe or necessary tool for athletic performance at any age. True energy comes from proper fueling, hydration, and rest, not from stimulants that disrupt the body’s natural balance.
Parent Takeaway
1. Read labels carefully — a product that’s marketed as “clean” or “zero sugar” isn’t always safe.
2. Encourage true recovery — rest, nourishment, and hydration create sustainable energy.
3. Stay informed — awareness is empowerment, and our kids rely on us to help them make healthy, informed choices.