My statement of purpose.

Why the Pool Industry Needs a Educational Revolution

Eric Knight is back, and he's not pulling any punches. After taking time away from podcasting, the host of Rule Your Pool has returned with a crystal-clear mission that should resonate with every pool professional and homeowner listening. This isn't just another podcast about pool maintenance—it's a call to arms for an industry that desperately needs to elevate its standards through proper education and scientific understanding.

In his statement of purpose episode, Knight lays out exactly why he's dedicating countless hours to this endeavor despite having a packed schedule with Watershape University. His motivation is deeply personal and professionally driven: too many pool professionals are fighting the wrong battles, and too many homeowners are getting subpar service because the industry lacks proper educational foundations.

The Hidden Crisis in Pool Professional Training

One of Knight's most compelling arguments centers on how pool professionals learn their trade. Unlike other skilled professions, the pool industry often relies on informal training that passes down both good practices and dangerous myths from generation to generation.

I see it in the service trade, especially. Oh my gosh, have I seen a lot of problems? And a lot of it comes from, well, that's how I was taught. Yeah, but that doesn't make it right.

— Eric Knight, Rule Your Pool Podcast

Knight uses the example of column pouring acid—a practice that was widely recommended in 2017 but has since been proven problematic. This technique, where acid is poured in one spot rather than distributed around the pool, can cause etching and discoloration on pool surfaces. Yet many professionals continue using this method simply because "that's how they were taught."

The real issue isn't that pool professionals aren't capable of learning proper techniques—it's that they're too busy working to conduct the deep research necessary to separate fact from fiction. This creates a cycle where outdated or incorrect practices persist simply through repetition rather than scientific validation.

A Career Path Worth Pursuing: From Job to Mastery

Knight addresses a critical problem in the pool industry: high turnover rates among new professionals who don't see long-term career potential. He argues that this isn't because the opportunities don't exist, but because the industry fails to show newcomers what's possible.

This is a destination career. But most young people who come into this career don't stay very long because they don't see that. Maybe it's their employer who doesn't have a clear path for them to go.

— Eric Knight, Rule Your Pool Podcast

To address this, Watershape University is developing a structured service track with three certification levels: Watershape Service Technician, Professional Technician, and Master Technician. This creates a clear roadmap for advancement that transforms pool service from "just a job" into a legitimate career path.

Knight emphasizes that success in the pool industry doesn't require exceptional intelligence—it requires consistency, honesty, and a commitment to continuous improvement. He specifically mentions the book "Atomic Habits" as a resource for developing the disciplined approach necessary for long-term success.

The Science-Based Approach to Pool Problems

What sets Knight's approach apart is his commitment to scientific accuracy over industry tradition. Rather than perpetuating practices simply because they're common, he advocates for understanding the physics and chemistry behind pool water behavior.

Water doesn't listen to mankind. Water is governed by physics. Natural law, not us.

— Eric Knight, Rule Your Pool Podcast

This scientific approach reveals why so many common pool problems persist. For instance, cloudy water is often blamed on filter issues, but the real culprit might be oils from sunscreen, cosmetics, and body lotions that create suspended particles. These particles can't float to the surface to be skimmed or sink to be vacuumed, so they remain suspended in the water column, never reaching the filter.

Understanding the underlying physics allows professionals to address root causes rather than symptoms, leading to more effective and lasting solutions for their clients.

What Homeowners Deserve: Complete Information Over Marketing Hype

Knight reserves some of his strongest criticism for the way homeowners are currently served by the pool industry. He argues that pool owners deserve far more than flashy marketing promises and one-size-fits-all chemical solutions.

You deserve better than just flashy marketing and simple one product does all solutions that you see on Facebook, but they never actually get the job done... You deserve better than being told the same thing every week when you get your water tested at the pool store because it never worked.

— Eric Knight, Rule Your Pool Podcast

Homeowners should understand why their pH won't stay stable, how alkalinity affects water balance, and what their various pool systems actually do. This knowledge empowers them to make informed decisions about their pool maintenance and equipment choices.

Knight emphasizes that his goal isn't to make decisions for homeowners but to provide them with complete information. Whether they choose to implement his recommendations is entirely up to them—but they deserve to understand their options and the science behind them.

The Marketplace of Ideas: Why Competition Matters

Despite his confidence in his science-based approach, Knight encourages listeners to seek out multiple perspectives and question everything—including his own advice.

Don't just listen to me. Don't just take my word over others. There's a lot of other podcasts. Listen to them. Read things. Take other classes. I am in the marketplace of ideas.

— Eric Knight, Rule Your Pool Podcast

This intellectual honesty strengthens rather than weakens his position. By encouraging critical thinking and comparison shopping for ideas, Knight demonstrates confidence that scientific accuracy will ultimately prevail over marketing hype and tradition-based practices.

However, he does draw one clear line: his advice is only for professionals and homeowners who prioritize customer service and value addition over personal gain. Those primarily focused on profit at the expense of customer satisfaction won't find useful guidance in his approach.

Building an Industry Worth Being Proud Of

Knight's statement of purpose ultimately calls for nothing less than a transformation of the pool industry culture. By combining rigorous scientific education, clear career advancement paths, and a commitment to customer service, he envisions an industry that attracts and retains top talent while delivering exceptional value to homeowners.

This transformation starts with individual professionals making the choice to pursue mastery rather than settling for "good enough." It continues with companies creating clear advancement opportunities for their employees. And it culminates in homeowners receiving the level of service and expertise they deserve.

The opportunity is there for anyone willing to apply themselves consistently and honestly. As Knight emphasizes, the pool industry has unlimited potential for those ready to work for it—but success requires knowing where you're going and having the discipline to get there.

For pool professionals ready to elevate their game and homeowners tired of recurring problems with inadequate solutions, Knight's return to podcasting offers hope for a better way forward. The question isn't whether the industry needs this educational revolution—it's whether enough people will embrace it to make lasting change possible.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Statement of Purpose
• 03:30 Addressing Pool Professionals
• 08:45 The Problem with Traditional Training
• 15:20 Creating Career Paths in Pool Service
• 22:10 Speaking to Homeowners
• 28:30 The Marketplace of Ideas
• 32:00 Personal Mission and Values