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

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

Monday Nov 02, 2020

SSPC: Kasia Wasick Takes Us on Her Journey From Retirement to Sprint Queen

Monday Nov 02, 2020

We sat down with Kasia Wasick, the woman who has been making serious waves in the ISL sprints. Most recently, yesterday she threw down a 23.30, making her the #6 performer all-time in the event. Kasia takes us through her career, including going to 3 different Olympic Games, being coached by her brother, swimming for USC, retiring, then coming back and training with UNLV and rising to spring prominence in the ISL.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Sunday Nov 01, 2020

SSPC: Ryan Murphy Talks Through The Process of Dialing In Short Course Meters

Sunday Nov 01, 2020

We sat down with Olympic Champ Ryan Murphy, who so far in the ISL has been the top money earner after being the only athlete to win 2 rounds of skins this season. Murphy talked about his process of adjusting to and dialing in short course meters. He explains that he expects to get better and better as the season goes because of the process he and his coach, Dave Durden, tend to follow.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Saturday Oct 31, 2020

SSPC: Neuqua Valley on How to Build a Winning Team Culture During Pandemic

Saturday Oct 31, 2020

We sat down with 7 athletes (6 swimmers, one diver) and 1 coach from Neuqua Valley high school, who just won their sectional meet with flying colors. The girls discuss how hard it was getting through a high school season with COVID-19 restrictions, especially in terms of bonding as a team. Rachel Stege, McKenna Stone, Megan Ciezczak, and more give their testaments to how much work they put into growing outside of the pool as a team, and how it paid off at the end of the season.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Friday Oct 30, 2020

SSPC: Transitioning Your Quarantine Dryland Training Into the Pool

Friday Oct 30, 2020

We sat down with Oberlin College head coach Alex de la Pena to discuss how quarantine is affecting colleges, and collegiate swim programs, at the DIII level. Alex describes what his team is doing to incorporate the dryland they were forced to do during quarantine back into the water as well as how they can keep the dryland for more effective swimming. He also touches on the academic balance with being a student-athlete during the pandemic and what that looks like from a day-to-day perspective for these college students.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Friday Oct 30, 2020

SSPC: Caroline Burckle on Setting Visual Goals Vs. Time Goals in the Pool

Friday Oct 30, 2020

We sat down with 2008 Olympian and NCAA champion Caroline Burckle. Caroline has a very unique perspective when it comes to swimming. While her brother Clark will tell you that he was always focused on times and stats, Caroline set goals in a much different way. She saw herself at Olympic trials, or winning the NCAA meet, but never had a time in mind for her races. Burckle just knew what she wanted to do and worked toward it until she got there.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com