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

Friday Jun 25, 2021

James Magnussen Previews Australia vs. USA's Biggest 2021 Olympic Matchups

Friday Jun 25, 2021

We sat down with world champion, Olympic medalist, and now Australian commentator James Magnussen, who was calling the races poolside in Adelaide at the 2021 Australian Olympic Trials. James gives us insight into what he saw from the Aussie team at Trials we all we his biggest USA vs. AUS matchups heading into the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games. Magnussen's must-see in Tokyo is Ledecky vs. Titmus, where the two distance juggernauts will go head-to-head in 3 events: 200, 400, and 800 free. We also touch on sprinting aces Caeleb Dressel and Kyle Chalmers going at it in the 100 free as well as current world record-holder Kaylee McKeown racing former fastest-ever in the 100 back, Regan Smith.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Wednesday Jun 23, 2021

Hunter Armstrong Talks Journey From Being Last in Practice to 2021 Olympian

Wednesday Jun 23, 2021

One of USA's newest Olympians from last week's trials was Hunter Armstrong, the 20-year-old Ohio native who swims for Ohio State. Armstrong is a self-titled "late bloomer" and until high school would often be last in practice, getting beat by male and female teammates alike. Armstrong talks about his journey through this stage and eventually reaching the next level, his motivation being getting to go to a training trip with his team in Florida (Video from 2019 Summer Jr Nationals).

Since then, Armstrong's star has continued to rise, swimming well for West Virginia his freshman season, then transferring to Ohio State to be closer to home and having continued success during the NCAA season his sophomore year (2020-2021). During long course season of this year, he went to the pro swim in Indianapolis and dropped a 53.7 100m back, a PR by 1 second. Armstrong came into the 2021 US Olympic trials with a ton of momentum and it paid off, making the 2021 Olympic team by touching 2nd in the 100 back with a huge personal best of 52.4.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Tuesday Jun 22, 2021

Peter Andrew Explains M. Andrew's Taper Process Leading into Olympic Trials

Tuesday Jun 22, 2021

We sat down with newly named Olympic coach Peter Andrew, father of Michael Andrew who also just made his first Olympic team. Peter walks us through the process of tapering Michael for Trials and how they decided on his event lineup in Omaha. He also talks about what went well in training for them in the months leading up to Trials and what they expect heading into the Tokyo Olympic Games.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Saturday Jun 19, 2021

2021 US Olympic Trials Roundup Night 6

Saturday Jun 19, 2021

Day 6 was short and sweet, seeing a few new Olympians and quite a few doubles. Annie Lazor made her first Olympic team after taking a break from the sport in 2016-17 as did Natalie Hinds. Michael Andrew, Chase Kalisz, Ryan Murphy, and Lilly King all added their second events for their lineups. And newbies Bryce Mefford and Erika Brown added their names for the Tokyo roster. Oh, and Caeleb Dressel broke a US Open record, as he does.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Friday Jun 18, 2021

2021 US Olympic Trials Roundup Night 5

Friday Jun 18, 2021

https://youtu.be/EDwkJz1KCNs

Night 5 continued to bring surprises in Omaha, both elating and devastating. We saw 2 US Open records from Hali Flickinger (200 fly) and Caeleb Dressel (100 free) as well as Michael Andrew become the #3 American all-time in the 200 IM. We also saw Nic Fink qualify for his first Olympic team after narrowly missing out in the 100 breast as he took a dominating win in the 200 at 2:07.55.

On the flipside, in the women's 100 free, we saw defending Olympic and world champion Simone Manuel place 9th, missing out on the final. She would later explain in an emotional press conference that she was diagnosed with Overtraining Syndrome in March and her training has been radically different since in order to accommodate this. We also saw Will Licon placed 3rd in the 200 breast by a razor-thin margin for the 2nd trials in a row, leaving him off the team.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Friday Jun 11, 2021

Breaking Down The Biggest Races of the 2021 US Olympic Trials

Friday Jun 11, 2021

We sat down with SwimSwam's Editor-in-Chief Braden Keith and SwimSwam senior writer Jared Anderson to break down the biggest races of the 2021 US Olympic Trials. We dive deep into the men's 200 IM, men's 100 free, women's 100 fly and who we think may surprise us in Omaha.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Thursday Jun 10, 2021

Maya DiRado Shares Memories From Lead-up to 2016 US Trials, Olympic Games

Thursday Jun 10, 2021

We sat down with Olympic Icon Maya DiRado to discuss how much of a roller coaster the lead-up to both the Olympic Trials and Olympic Games can be. Maya had one of the most successful Olympic performances of the 2016 Rio Games, taking home individual gold (200 back), silver (400 IM), and bronze (200 IM) while also earning gold on the 4x200 free relay. She recalls some of her best and worse moments in the weeks leading up to both Trials and the Games, from swimming in a Trials final to Olympic training camp workouts.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Wednesday Jun 09, 2021

Caeleb Dressel Talks About His Nerves Ahead Of U.S. Olympic Trials

Wednesday Jun 09, 2021

Olympic swimming champion Caeleb Dressel is flesh and bone, and he battles nervousness like everyone else. Dressel shares insights into his experience on the run-up to the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials and other major qualifying meets. He clearly has made peace with the mental tension learning how to manage it.

Recently Dressel notched fast swims at the Atlanta Classic signaling he is on course for a great U.S. Olympic Trials in June.

Dressel Atlanta Classic Times:

50 free - 21.82
100 free - 48.67 - a time trial day 2 - then he dropped a 48.00 on day 3 in the prelims
200 free - 1:47.42
100 fly - 51.15 - a double, his second swim of night 1 on the heels of the 1:47 200 free

DRESSEL PREDICTIONS FOR U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS, VERSION THREE

Yes, I am playing the Dressel prediction game again for a third time, because it's fun. See version 3, dialed in slightly more after a lot of hand-wringing (and reviewing more comments from fans):

50 free - 21.19
100 free - 47.22
100 fly - 49.81
200 free - prelims only - 1:45.39

But who cares what I think? It is all about what you think. Give me your best swimming analysis.

Wednesday Jun 09, 2021

PEAK Swimming Head Coach & Owner Abi Liu on Reaching Swimmers Through the Soles

Wednesday Jun 09, 2021

Abi Liu is the head coach and owner of PEAK Swimming in Northern California. You may have noticed Abi on deck thanks to her styling kicks. In this sit-down with SwimSwam, Abi talks about her shoe collection and how it’s become a coaching tool.

Abi also discussed all the obstacles of the past year and a half, including dealing with otherness. It’s an honest, informative discussion that we hope you enjoy!

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Tuesday Jun 08, 2021

2021 Olympic Trials Wave I Video Roundup - Day 4

Tuesday Jun 08, 2021

The 2021 Olympic Trials Wave I wrapped up in Omaha on Monday, with a whopping 15 athletes earning new qualifications for Wave II, by placing Top 2 in their event. From the 50 free to the 1500, there were exciting races on both the men's and women's side, with the last race of the meet, the men's 1500, coming down to the final meter.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com