The SwimSwam Podcast

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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

Wednesday Nov 11, 2020

SSPC: How Coleman Stewart has Transitioned Yards Greatness into SCM in the ISL

Wednesday Nov 11, 2020

I sat down with my followed mustached Coleman, the one who swims way faster than I do, Coleman Stewart. Coleman seems to have found his rhythm in both short course meters and racing the best in the world inside the ISL bubble as we saw him take down Guilherme Guido in the 50 back last weekend and place 2nd in the 100 back. Stewart explains how he's been able to move through this transition period and learn every step of the way, especially considering this is his first season as a professional swimmer.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Tuesday Nov 10, 2020

SSPC: Kennedy Noble on Sticking With Swimming After Burnout at a Young Age

Tuesday Nov 10, 2020

I sat down with Kennedy Noble, the #9 recruit in the class of 2022. Noble talks about what made her fall in love with swimming... and what didn't. She actually quit for a period when she was young because she wasn't enjoying it, but later came back with a new attitude and new coach. Noble also takes us through what having a mom who was in the UFC is like.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Monday Nov 09, 2020

SSPC: Grace Sheble on the Give and Take Relationship of a Swim Sibling

Monday Nov 09, 2020

I sat down with Grace Sheble, the #3 recruit in the class of 2021. Grace, an NC State commit along with her sister Caroline, talks about the dynamic between her and her sister and how swim affects that. Grace says they have a special bond where they can both be the leader and the follower; that both roles are played by both sisters.

Check out Mat Talk with Jason Bryant here.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Friday Nov 06, 2020

SSPC: Breaking Down the Team-Cutting Epidemic Amid COVID-19 Outbreak

Friday Nov 06, 2020

I sat down with Mat Talk's Jason Bryant, who takes the time to track all cut and newly introduced collegiate teams in the NCAA so you don't have to. He broke down the whys and why not have any given university cutting a sports team and how the global COVID-19 pandemic has affected these rates. Bryant also gives ideas and possible solutions for what teams can do to be proactive in avoiding their teams going on the chopping block.

Check out Mat Talk with Jason Bryant here.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Thursday Nov 05, 2020

SSPC: Michael Andrew "I'm honestly tired of being the guy that can only swim 50s"

Thursday Nov 05, 2020

I sat down with New York Breakers star Michael Andrew, who got into where he's at in the ISL bubble. Andrew was raw and didn't sugar-coat his analysis: he's not where he wants to be. He's gotten better each time he's raced, but quarantine certainly had an effect on his training, especially considering racing IS a big part of his training.

Michael even looks past ISL, saying he doesn't just want to be a 50 guy heading into the 2021 Olympic Trials. Andrew vows to put in a block of work come the new year that he thinks will put him in a prime spot heading into the 2021 Trials in Omaha.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Thursday Nov 05, 2020

SSPC: Maddy Banic Explains Going From Trying to Find a Team to ISL Champ

Thursday Nov 05, 2020

I sat down with Energy Standard butterflier Madeline Banic. Banic has had a really interesting last few years, especially considering that she basically retired, then 3 months later decided she still wanted to keep swimming, and now is competing at the highest international level. Even just weeks ago, Banic admits she had reached out to a lot of different ISL teams but most weren't even interested. However, Energy Standard took a chance on her and it has paid off.

After Sarah Sjostrom was announced for the last match due to a back injury, Banic filled in in the 50 and 100 fly, taking 2nd in the latter and blasting a 24.9 in the former to take 1st and win ES big points.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Wednesday Nov 04, 2020

SSPC: Megan Oesting Reveals What All Swimmers Need to Learn to Keep Improving

Wednesday Nov 04, 2020

I sat down with a longtime friend, a coach with a wealth of knowledge who just became the first female head coach of a super-club within USA Swimming: Megan Oesting. Megan was recently announced as the head coach of SwimMAC Carolina, my old swim club. This is a big position and I think Megan's ready to take the reigns. She talks us through her coaching philosophy that she's been developing in Iowa for years, letting us know how all swimmers are connected and what they need to do in order to improve year after year.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Wednesday Nov 04, 2020

SSPC: Missy Franklin Explains her Shoulder Problems - GMM Presented by SwimOutlet.com

Wednesday Nov 04, 2020

Five-time Olympic gold medalist, Missy Franklin, was featured in People Magazine where she was quoted:

“...my shoulders are in so much pain that I can maybe hop in the pool and swim easy for 20, 30 minutes, but that’s about as much as my old broken shoulders can handle at this point.”

SwimSwam picked up the story and ran a report. The deluge of traffic made me worry the site might crash. It didn't, but I couldn't figure out what the fuss was all about. Missy's shoulder problems was old news, and, frankly, not a big surprise. Elites with long careers often experience some level of should issue they have to manage in retirement. Anyway, Missy was scheduled to come on the podcast for another topic, and I asked her to put the whole situation in her own words--which she did.

Missy catches us up on her life and her mission now, which is to support pools reopening safely. Specifically, as a USA Swimming Foundation Ambassador, Missy advocates the safe reopening of learn to swim programs. A lot of parents are concerned about taking their kids to lessons to learn how to swim, and it is important to be armed with the right information about how to gain this lifesaving skills during the pandemic. For more information go here.

Tuesday Nov 03, 2020

SSPC: James Gibson On Managing Best Athletes in the World, Finding Right "Fit"

Tuesday Nov 03, 2020

We sat down with Energy Standard head coach James Gibson to talk about managing the best athletes in the world. James talks about finding the right fit for each athlete in his training group and how that can look very different from athlete to athlete. What isn't different, though, is that when they come to Gloria Sports Arena in Turkey to train, it's all business.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Tuesday Nov 03, 2020

SSPC: Shane Ryan on Lifting, Biking for 3 Hours/Day During COVID Lockdown

Tuesday Nov 03, 2020

We sat down with Shane Ryan, the NCAA All-American from Penn State who swims for Ireland and now the Toronto Titans. Ryan admitted that he was actually thriving during quarantine, having a lot of time to focus on his body and training. He lifted and rode a stationary bike for 3+ hours per day, noting that if he felt like pushing it more and doing extra, he wasn't shy about doing so.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com