FOR three years Lachy Falvey became accustomed to pacing up and down pool deck, stopwatch in hand barking orders at James Magnussen.
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But then he wanted a change in direction, completed a law degree and swapped his singlet and stopwatch for a suit and collar.
"Moving to Port Macquarie from coaching to now working at a law firm, the biggest change is I'm now sitting down at an office and not coaching on pool deck at 5am in the morning," he said.
But over the next two and a half weeks, Falvey is trying to learn if he has two left feet or not as he prepares to compete in the Stars of the Hastings event on April 5.
But not only is it about embracing his change in lifestyle, it is also about the motivation that drives the former swimming coach.
In September 2018, Falvey lost his nan to cancer after her second bout with the disease and an 18-month long battle.
"We all know someone that has lost someone to cancer before," Falvey said.
"For me personally, I lost my nan to cancer just last year so it's something which is close to home and the main inspiration for me doing the event this year.
"Cancer can affect anyone and it's not just those that have the disease, it's the friends, family and people that know them.
"It's something that is so prevalent and the number one killer of people in society.
"The main idea for me is to raise money and awareness so the NSW Cancer Council can put that money to good use."
Falvey said he was discovering very quickly how significant the change from coaching to learning different dance routines had been.
"I hope I'm not the typical swimmer that is like a fish out of water," he said.
"You're very ignorant unless you're a dancer to how flexible they are and how much they move and take it for granted.
"I'm not as flexible as I was as a swimmer so now it's easy to walk on two feet up and down a pool deck, but it's not the same as trying to dance and kick my legs in a certain direction."
Once the dancing is over, Falvey will switch his attention back to his occupation working at a law firm.
"The biggest change (from coaching to working in an office) is the type of work I do," he said.
"I guess I'm not necessarily working with children and athletes anymore, it's now people that need something done."
He had enjoyed the permanent move back to Port Macquarie in October 2017 after spending 16 years away.
"In my eyes and my mind and heart, Port was always home and I'd always still come back to see my parents, friends and family throughout the year," he said.
"It's nice to be back living on the coast and not having to deal with the traffic of Sydney."
To donate to Falvey's NSW Cancer Council fundraising efforts, click here.
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