MEET OUR COACHING TEAM
Our squad of swim coaches is as diverse as the kids in the X Lab community – representing a rainbow of ethnicities, personalities, genders, and a wide range of backgrounds – and we’re a better squad for it.
As national athletes, parents, sports scientists, and more, we’re united as educators at heart who believe that every child has so much to benefit from an active childhood – whether that looks like competitive swim training or learning to overcome a fear of the water.
Led by head coach Jared Butler and together with Joseph Schooling as our advisor and director, our coaches work together to ensure every swimmer is engaged and inspired in the pool, develops technically sound swim technique, and is geared towards achieving their goals.
All coaches are trained-in-house and certified with the ISA-Sports Schooling Certificate of Swim Instruction which requires 80 hours of theory, practical, assisting, and mentorship.
In addition to being first-aid trained and certified, coaches are also trained in child safety and safeguarding, as well as child-centered learning experiences.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Grounded in Technique
At X Lab, we believe kids should learn to swim the right way from the start - no shortcuts. Our programmes teach strong and sound swim fundamentals grounded in sports science, building the physical rigour and discipline key for progress and growth across swim and other sports.
Child-Centric & Athlete-Focused
Every child comes to X Lab with unique goals and strengths, and that’s a great thing! Seeking to meet each child where they are, coaches work collaboratively with every swimmer to make meaningful progress, adopting an approach anchored around each child’s aspirations and developmental needs.
Collaboration > Competition
A squad in itself, our coaches work together to bring out the best in each child - and each other. Head Coaches Jared and Jade are intentional in creating a culture of growth, openness and encouragement in their coaching teams through weekly trainings, regular debriefs, and structured mentorship.
Who We Are
"We train with purpose, compete with heart, and nurture every child from their first splash to their fiercest race — building champions in character before results."
- Olympic Gold medallist, Advisor & Director of Sports Schooling, Joseph Schooling
Jared Butler
Head Coach, X Lab
Jared Butler brings over a decade of experience as both an elite swimmer and dedicated coach, leading X Lab’s competitive swim programmes with passion, precision, and purpose.
As Head Coach, he is committed to nurturing the next generation of swimmers through structured training, athlete-centered coaching, and a deep understanding of high-performance sport.
Jared swam competitively for ten years across top U.S. swim programs, beginning at Santa Barbara Swim Club and later representing Rockwall Aquatic Center of Excellence and Rockwall-Heath High School. His competitive highlights include winning the 200 Individual Medley at the 5A Texas State Championships and qualifying for the U.S. Junior Nationals, U.S. Open, and the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in the 200 Breaststroke and 200/400 IM.
At the collegiate level, Jared swam for the University of Texas at Austin, one of the most prestigious swim programs in the world. He was part of the Longhorns’ historic four-time NCAA and Big 12 Team Championship wins, training under legendary coaches Eddie Reese and Kris Kubik and alongside Olympic champions.
Jared holds a degree in Physical Culture and Sports and holds an impressive list of certifications, ensuring his coaching is backed by international best practices.
Beyond his own accolades, Jared’s strength lies in coaching. He has developed top-level athletes, including Guan Ting Quentin Tan, a two-time POLITE champion, and other swimmers who’ve qualified for USA Swimming’s Junior National Championships.
Jared’s coaching philosophy blends technical excellence with holistic athlete development.
His international experience, strong technical foundation, and genuine care for each swimmer make him a cornerstone of the X Lab coaching team.
Shenesse Jing Yi Yeo
Senior Coach, X Lab
HEAD COACH, LEARN TO SWIM
With eight years of coaching experience, Shen began her journey in Learn-to-Swim (LTS) in 2016 before transitioning to competitive swimming coaching in 2021.
Over the past three years, she has worked with athletes at the Singapore National Age Group (SNAG) level, helping them refine their skills and reach new milestones in the sport.
Shen’s coaching philosophy focuses on a well-rounded approach to training, specializing in:
– Flexibility development for improved movement efficiency
– Aerobic & threshold workouts to build endurance and race readiness
– Technique-focused training to enhance stroke mechanics and performance
Her commitment to professional growth is reflected in her international and national certifications.
With her strong technical foundation and athlete- centered approach, Shen is dedicated to developing competitive swimmers and guiding them towards their full potential.
Muhammad Zaki Tan
Senior Coach, X Lab
HEAD COACH, LEARN TO SWIM
Zaki is a dedicated swim coach with a Bachelor of Science (Sport Science & Management) with Honours (Highest Distinction) from NTU.
With three years of coaching experience in both competitive swimming and Learn-to-Swim (LTS), he brings a strong foundation in sports science and performance training to his coaching approach.
His key specialities include:
- -Strength & Conditioning: Enhancing swimmers’ power and endurance
– Mobility & Flexibility Training: Improving movement efficiency and injury prevention
-Sprint Workouts: Developing explosive speed and race execution
Zaki has successfully coached swimmers at the Singapore National Age Group (SNAG) level, helping them refine their technique and improve race performances.
With his scientific approach to training and passion for athlete development, Zaki is committed to guiding swimmers toward peak performance in the pool.
Join our team
If you’re passionate about inspiring kids through sport and excited to grow as a sports educator and mentor – we’d love to meet you! Learn more about our coaching programme and reach out to explore potential opportunities at X Lab.