The SwimSwam Podcast

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Claire Curzan Fine-tuning Details in Croatia for Busy Worlds Schedule in Budapest Jun 12, 2022

Show notes

We sat down with 2020 Olympic medalist Claire Curzan, who is currently with Team USA at their world champs prep camp in Croatia. Curzan gushed about how nice the location is, noting the food and people were both on another level. She also spoke to her preparation as she heads into this world champs with 4 individual events (plus relays) to tackle over the course of the 8-day meet.

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Chris Jones on Developing Olympic Student-Athletes at University of Edinburgh Jun 12, 2022

Show notes

Chris Jones is the Head Coach of the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. He started the program in 2008 and since then they've put a ton of athletes on international teams, including 5 Olympians. His group of about 35 stood out at British Trials in April and on this podcast he discusses the culture focus points that lead to their great performances. We also discuss the role that the university athletic system is playing in the success of British Swimming and Chris helps me understand how the Universities operate when it comes to student athletes, competitions and scholarships. A great glimpse at terrific program that maybe you haven't paid attention to before.

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Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Michael Andrew Gives Team USA Training Camp Update from Croatia Jun 11, 2022

Show notes

We sat down with Olympic champion Michael Andrew, who is currently in Croatia with Team USA as they prep for the upcoming world championships. Andrew gives us the scoop on how training camp is going for him and what his "USRPT taper" looks like as well as what working with coaches Todd DeSorbo and Eddie Reese is like. Andrew speaks to the fine line that is towed by athletes of being teammates yet competing for the same spot on a relay, a situation he will encounter multiple times throughout the course of these championships.

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Mike Stephens Describes Why Hawaii is One of the Best Jobs in the Country Jun 11, 2022

Show notes

Mike Stephens was recently named the Head Coach at the University of Hawaii and joined us on the SwimSwam podcast to talk about it. In this chat, Mike discusses how the lifestyle and swimming roots in Hawaii make it one of the best jobs in the country. He talks about how his servant leadership will help him lay the foundation of a successful culture at his new program. We get into how he was able to change the culture at Boston College and lead them to 170 school records, including over 40 this last season. He seems poised to bring that momentum to Hawaii where there is a lot more support for high level performance. It sounds like a great fit and makes for another chance to learn from one of the bright young minds in our sport.

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Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

60-Year-Old Iron Man Don Muchow Swims Around Key West for Diabetes Awareness Jun 10, 2022

Show notes

Don Muchow is a 60-year-old triathlete and Ironman living with Type 1 diabetes who after completing a 2,800 mile run across America last year to raise awareness for diabetes is about to perform a new feat: a 10k swim around Key West on June 18.

Muchow is building up to the full 12.5-mile swim that will take him around the entire island of Key West. The Texas native has been training for the swim several hours a day between the Gulf Coast and Miami, all while managing a chronic illness. Living with Type 1 diabetes means Don has to monitor his glucose levels 24/7 to make sure they’re in a healthy range because his body doesn't regulate glucose on its own. To do so, Don uses a Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitor (CGM), a small wearable device that monitors his glucose levels in real-time and sends alerts directly to his smartphone and Garmin smartwatch if his levels are too low or too high, incidents that can be life-threatening.

Since Don will be in the water, his kayaker and wife will use the remote monitoring technology to keep track of his glucose levels while he swims to make sure he’s safe and has enough energy to get through the race, giving everyone peace of mind that his diabetes is under control. Don doesn’t let diabetes stop him from accomplishing his biggest goals; instead he uses them to motivate others who may face similar difficulties and inspire them to break their own barriers.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

SwimSwam Breakdown: Bauerle Retires, Chalmers Plays Footy, and Duel in the Pool Jun 09, 2022

Show notes

This week on the SwimSwam Breakdown, we discuss Jack Bauerle's retirement (this was recorded before the announcement of Stefanie Moreno-Williams and Neil Versfeld as new head coaches), Katie Ledecky saying she will bypass Duel in the Pool, and Kyle Chalmers playing in the Aussie Football League.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Olympian and Future Filmmaker Erica Sullivan Celebrates Pride Month Her Way Jun 07, 2022

Show notes

2020 Olympic silver medalist and Team Speedo athlete Erica Sullivan injured her shoulder, which is why she missed the U.S. International Team Trials. However, in this podcast she confirmed she is fully back to good health. She said "I'm in the weight room," and she did snap a gold (1500 free) and a silver (800 free) at the recent Mission Pro Swim. We cover a lot ground in the pod, from training to film school to Pride Month. Erica joked she's not a Pride Month parade type person, explaining that it's a little too hot to be outside in Austin, Texas. (SwimSwam HQ is in Austin, and it's over a 100 degrees this entire week!) Erica's Pride Month support is live and active on GoFundMe supporting Out Youth Austin. (Out Youth Austin is a 501(c)(3) who's mission is to promote the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of sexual minority youth in Central Texas so they can openly and safely explore and affirm their identities.)

Follow Erica Sullivan on Instagram here.

Many thanks to our partner Speedo for making this pod happen.

Follow Speedo USA on Instagram here.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Kelsi Dahlia on Retiring from Swimming, Starting Coaching Career at Notre Dame Jun 07, 2022

Show notes

We sat down with Kelsi Dahlia, the first woman to ever break 50-seconds in the 100y fly and the current world record holder in the 100 fly (SCM), to discuss her switch in careers. Dahlia announced her retirement from swimming last week, then just days later announced she would be joining the coaching staff of Notre Dame under Chris Lindauer, one of Dahlia's former coaches at Louisville.

Dahlia breaks down what factors contributed to her retirement and what she will miss most about being a professional athlete. She then discusses her first week in South Bend and what she's looking forward to while being a part of the Fighting Irish.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Paralympic Champion Anastasia Pagonis Previews Para Worlds in Madeira Jun 06, 2022

Show notes

We sat down with the S11 Paralympic gold medalist from Tokyo in the 400 free, Anastasia Pagonis. The 18-year-old Paralympian is in the midst of her preparation for the para world championships in Madeira, Portugal, which start on June 12. Pagonis discusses her Paralympic experience, coming down from that and deciding what she wanted her relationship with swimming to look like heading into Paris, and why she ultimately chose to compete in this year's para worlds.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

USA Swimming CEO Aims For U.S. Olympic Trials Attendance Record Jun 03, 2022

Show notes

USA Swimming CEO, Tim Hinchey, drops in on the SwimSwam podcast to talk about 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials. Tim honors the past, noting the success in Omaha paved the way for the larger venue, Lucas Oil Stadium, in Indianapolis, and he addresses any concerns that the new venue might be too big. Tim has lead the governing body through some tough times, the pandemic being the most notable, and he feels it is time for swimming to grow. Tim’s bullish on the Indy venue, detailing it’s central location. 25% of USA Swimming’s registered swimmers and their families are within an eight hour drive to Indy, something the Omaha location did not deliver. Tim’s so bullish on the Indy location he is projecting an historic attendance record, at least for one night.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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