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

Tuesday Dec 08, 2020

SSPC: Olivia Bray Speaks on Eating Disorder Treatment, New Home in Texas

Tuesday Dec 08, 2020

We sat down with Olivia Bray, the freshman at Texas who had a record-breaking weekend, going 50.37 in the 100 fly to register the fastest time in school history. Bray opened up about her quarantine period before arriving in Austin, including checking herself into eating disorder treatment. Prior to seeking help, Bray said she could count on one hand how many foods she could comfortably eat, too afraid to approach the rest.

Through treatment and now working with the nutritionist at UT, Bray says she's eating and trying a variety of foods, which has affected multiple facets of her everyday life.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Monday Dec 07, 2020

SSPC: Why is the Speedo Fastskin Based on Shark Skin?

Monday Dec 07, 2020

Speedo International's Head of Research and Development (R&D), Rob Blenkinsopp, gets granular about Speedo tech. It has been 20 years since Speedo released their FASTSKIN TECH, and, really, that development started back in 1992. Rob walks us through the years, explaining why and what Speedo cooks up in their R&D department. Rob's not thinking about 2021. He's done that. The work is already over. His sights are set on 2024 to 2028, and Rob dreams of the suit Speedo will release in the distant future, 2040. Hopefully Rob will share more on that this spring ahead of SwimSwam's endless coverage of Olympic Trials competitions all over the world. Stay tuned, and I hope you enjoy the pod. Rob will be back!

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Sunday Dec 06, 2020

SSPC: Brandon Fischer Explains Why Our Biggest Battles are Within Ourselves

Sunday Dec 06, 2020

We sat down with Brandon Fischer, a national team member of the USA who first made the national team just last year, at the age of 30. Fischer takes us through his swimming journey, describing how the pool was a sanctuary for him away from the bullying that came at school.

Fischer emphasizes that this built him up to where he is today, saying that this made his resolve stronger to follow the path he thought he could take. This included pursuing a career in engineering after getting an art degree from the University of Wyoming as well as picking up swimming again in 2018 (after having stepped away after 2016 Olympic Trials) to ultimately break the 1:00 barrier in the 100 LCM breast at the 2019 Clovis Pro Swim and make his first national team.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Saturday Dec 05, 2020

SSPC: Caeleb Dressel Breaks Down Super-Suited Speedo Sub-20 Challenge

Saturday Dec 05, 2020

Olympic and World Champion and ISL swim star Caeleb Dressel is taking on the SPEEDO SUB-20 CHALLENGE in the 50 short course meter freestyle. He already owns the World Record, dropped in the International Swimming League Grand Finale: 20.16. This time Caeleb's blazing a 50 scm free in a Speedo Fastskin 2008 LZR. This is all to celebrate the 20 YEARS OF SPEEDO FASTSKIN TECH.

WHEN TO WATCH: December 10th, 9pm Pacific Standard Time (PST)

WHERE TO WATCH: Speedo International's Youtube Channel On Speedo’s YouTube channel

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Friday Dec 04, 2020

SSPC: Trey Freeman on Mentally & Physically Rebounding After a Serious Injury

Friday Dec 04, 2020

We sat down with Trey Freeman, who has recently returned to competition for Florida. Freeman takes us through his last couple of years, which have been largely spent recovering from a knee injury sustained his freshman season. Freeman describes the difficulties, largely mental, that come with trying to get back to a place you had previously been after being derailed in a manner like this.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Thursday Dec 03, 2020

SSPC: Can the ISL be Profitable?

Thursday Dec 03, 2020

We sat down with Torrey Hart, former SwimSwam writer and now full-time sports journalist at Front Office Sports. Torrey wrote a massive piece breaking down the business side of ISL at the conclusion of Season 2, and if you haven't read it yet, DO SO NOW! Then we can really have a conversation.

We break down how the ISL ran things in their first 2 seasons, including their inability to pay all of their debts right away. We talk through both sides of the coin as well as moving forward, what the league can do to turn a profit and really start to turn swimming into a legitimate professional sport. Because let's be honest: as swim fans, that's all we really want.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Wednesday Dec 02, 2020

SSPC: George Bovell on Why a Holistic Approach to Swim is Vital to Success

Wednesday Dec 02, 2020

We sat down with Olympic medalist George Bovell to talk about his career in swimming and what he's learned since. Bovell indulged me with some stories of his swimming days, including the explanation of "the Hammer of Justice" and how it won him an Olympic bronze.

But more importantly, Bovell dives deeper into the human side of swimming (and living). Bovell explains he's traveled all across the world trying to learn the secrets to existence and divulges where people are making common mistakes in their everyday lives and how we can start to correct these in order to lead a healthier lifestyle mentally and physically.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Tuesday Dec 01, 2020

SSPC:What Made Tracy Caulkins So Dominant in So Many Events?

Tuesday Dec 01, 2020

Olympic swimming icon Tracy Caulkins (married Tracy Stockwell) won 48 U.S. National titles and broke 63 American Records (setting American Records in all 4 strokes). She was on course to medal in 7 events at the 1980 Olympic Games (which were boycotted by President Carter). Of course Tracy finally achieved her Olympic moment 4 years later at the LA Games, taking home 3 gold medals.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Monday Nov 30, 2020

SSPC: Clyde Lewis on Celebrating Your Personal Victories, Regardless of Place

Monday Nov 30, 2020

We sat down with Clyde Lewis, a world champion and commonwealth games champion who is still on the rise for team Australia. Clyde Gives a very interesting perspective, one we don't see too often in swimming: he emphasizes celebrating your personal successes rather than what place you get in a race. Clyde has gotten 3rd at a trials meet, 4th at a world championships, and was 1st seed heading into a worlds final but then didn't medal. And in every case, Clyde celebrated as someone does who won the whole event.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Sunday Nov 29, 2020

SSPC: Jordan Wilimovsky on Why Distance Races are Way More Lowkey Than Sprints

Sunday Nov 29, 2020

We sat down with Jordan Wilimovsky, the laid back distance ace based in California. Jordan talked us through distance training during quarantine and where he's at in the pool right now. He gets into what it's like being at a national team camp with all kinds of athletes and what he learns from sprinters, then compares that to what makes distance races seem more manageable.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com