Johanly didn't take the typical swimmers journey . He was actually terrified  of the water after almost drowning twice in Dominican Republic. He came to the United States at the age of 8 and by the time he was 14, his baseball coach advised him to start swimming in order to strengthen his throwing arm and overall performance. Little did he know that he was going to fall in love with the water instantly. That same year he went on to join the Trident Swim Team and George Washington Swim Team. Torn between baseball and swimming he went on to Swim at Lehman college. Helping the team win the CUNYAC 2012-2013 Men's championship.  Now Johanly helps kids face the same fear of the water he had as a child instructing at Imagine Swimming..