The SwimSwam Podcast

https://feed.podbean.com/swimswam/feed.xml

In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman Hodges and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.

Episodes

Monday Nov 23, 2020

SwimSwam Podcast: Andrew Wilson Talks Training, Racing, and Post-Tokyo Plans

Monday Nov 23, 2020

We sat down with Andrew Wilson, one of America's top breaststroker's to talk about... well a lot of stuff. Wilson takes us through his COVID training when he swam in an 18-yard pool all the way up to the US Open, where he threw down a couple of races that put everyone on notice.

With Wilson's rapid rise to US National Team member, I forget that he went to Emory and is very intelligent. He reminded me of this when he talks about his plans for this fall: going to Oxford for grad school with the idea of working in F1 in some capacity.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Friday Nov 20, 2020

SSPC: The ISL Final Preview with CBS Announcer Bernie Guenther

Friday Nov 20, 2020

We sat down with the voice of ISL Season 2, Bernie Guenther, to talk ISL Final predictions. The bottom line is this: any of the 4 teams in the finale could end up crowned ISL champions by the end of the weekend, depending on a few very important factors. Bernie takes us through each team's strengths and weaknesses and points out what must go right for the Cali Condors, Energy Standard, London Roar, and LA Current if they are to have a shot at earning the title of ISL Champions.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Thursday Nov 19, 2020

SSPC: Nyls Korstanje "Whoever does best in the bad circumstances wins"

Thursday Nov 19, 2020

I sat down with NCAA All-American from NC State Nyls Korstanje, who is currently at home training in the Netherlands. Nyls has gone a few personal bests in his last few competitions and relates to us how his training and racing are going back in the Netherlands. He also tells a story from the European Youth Olympic Festival, a meet that had a big impact on his career.

Nyls said going into the meet, he did not have too many expectations but came out winning the 50 free. He said he was able to do this because the circumstances at the meet were pretty bad, yet in spite of that, Nyls told himself he would still swim his very best. From that, he learned that it's not the best swimmer who always wins, but the best swimmer in the circumstances.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Wednesday Nov 18, 2020

SSPC: Bobby Finke Breaks Down Going 8:59 at the End of 9x1000 in Practice

Wednesday Nov 18, 2020

I sat down with distance savant Bobby Finke to talk about what has been going so right for him in the pool lately. We saw Finke absolutely destroy the American and US Open records last year in the 1,650, registering a mind-blowing 14:12. Well, good news for swim fans: he's only gotten better since then. Finke tells us what his quarantine period looked like and what training has been like since getting back to Gainesville, including a set of 9x1000 where he surprised even himself on the last one.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Tuesday Nov 17, 2020

Olympian Cullen Jones Gets Raw on Highs & Lows: GMM presented by SwimOutlet.com

Tuesday Nov 17, 2020

Four-time Olympic medalist, two-time Olympic champion Cullen Jones gets raw and real in this GMM takeover of the SwimSwam Podcast.

Cullen has enjoyed many highs and some tough lows. In this interview Cullen shares how Coach Bob Bowman, David Marsh and his own mother called him out in brutally honest ways during one of his lows, when, frankly, his grit for training didn't match his talent. Bowman delivered his message - his wisdom - as they watched the final Cullen missed from the stands.

Monday Nov 16, 2020

SSPC: Lotte Friis on Putting the Pieces Together After Being Broken by Swimming

Monday Nov 16, 2020

https://youtu.be/Cgc1VjFy5z4

I sat down with 3-time Olympian and World Champion Lotte Friis. Lotte was always one of my favorite swimmers outside of the pool for how gracefully she carried herself and presented herself in interviews. We started by talking about what Lotte's doing now, which is interviewing people for a living on a Danish radio station. Lotte talks about how much she loves hearing others' stories, no matter their walk of life or background.

We then got into Lotte's own story with swim. Lotte gave us her ups and downs, from her Olympic medal in 2008 to being a world champion in 2009 and 2011. The title refers to her result at the 2012 Olympics, where she was sure she would win a medal no matter what but ended up finishing 5th in the 800. She said this broke her and was ready to retire. However, giving the wound a little more time, she decided to give it another go tells the audience how she was able to get back in the saddle for her 3rd Olympics.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Sunday Nov 15, 2020

SSPC: Ting Quah Explains How Sibling Relationships Mature Through Swimming

Sunday Nov 15, 2020

I sat down with Ting Quah, 2-time Olympian for Singapore, UCLA All-American, and older sister to Zheng Quah (Cal) and Jing Quah (Texas A&M). Ting Quah explains the important perspective she gained from the ISL as an "older" swimmer as well as how the rooming with her sister at the 2019 World Championships gave them an opportunity to grow their relationship outside of the pool.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Friday Nov 13, 2020

SSPC: Abbey Weitzeil Breaks Down Recovery, Rest Headed into ISL Semis, Finals

Friday Nov 13, 2020

I sat down with Olympic champion and sprint savant Abbey Weitzeil, who is getting ready for the ISL semi-finals. Weitzeil broke down just about every aspect of living and racing in the ISL bubble, from adjusting to SCM to managing racing back-to-back meets. She shares the difference between tapering for a meet like NCAAs or Olympic Trials and "preparing" and properly resting for the ISL post-season.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Thursday Nov 12, 2020

SSPC: Mack Horton on Perfecting a Race Plan to Win Olympic Gold

Thursday Nov 12, 2020

I sat down with Olympic champion and distance machine, Mack Horton. Mack is one of the most relaxed guys I've had the pleasure of talking to, often cracking jokes and laughing throughout the interview. He's also able to laugh at himself quite a bit, admitting where he's made mistakes during his long swimming journey. We dissect and discuss and myriad of topics, including preparing for the 2016 Olympic Games (and his subsequent victory in the 400m free), his thoughts on ISL, distance training with Gregorio Paltrinieri, why he won't be swimming the 1500 competitively anymore, and his reaction to Sun Yang getting handed an 8-year doping suspension.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Wednesday Nov 11, 2020

SSPC: USA Swimming COO Mike Unger Talks Golden Goggles Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

Wednesday Nov 11, 2020

USA Swimming COO Mike Unger drops in on the SwimSwam pod to talk about the 2020 Golden Goggles — streaming Nov 19th 8pm EST. This marks the 17th Goggles, and USA Swimming’s taking this opportunity to honor the 1980 Olympic Team.

(For young swimmers who may not know—President Carter boycotted the 1980 Olympics. So, there was not an Olympics that year for Team USA, a sad chapter in the Olympic movement that hurt many of our most iconic swim stars.)

Mike’s more than the USA swimming COO, he’s a bit of a swim historian—who loves our sport dearly and has always wanted to honor this US Olympic Team. Mike’s crew at USA swimming has dedicated a lot energy toward this TV event, and I strongly believe this will be a special Golden Goggles you don’t want to miss. Tune in Nov 19, 8pm EST at usaswimming.org

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com