In March of 2024, Dean Summers set out to break the record for Australia’s longest ever unassisted swim. Leaving from Newcastle’s Nobbys beach and planning to land at Palm Beach, Sydney for a total of 95.6km. Battling blue bottle jellyfish, hallucinations and less than perfect conditions, Dean had a challenge ahead of him. The swim had been unsuccessfully attempted by two other swimmers in the 1980’s and 90’s, including well known Australian swimmer Des Renford whose shark cage sunk off the coast after treacherous conditions. In this episode, you’ll hear the story of an expedition into waters that have never been swam in.

00:00 Introduction 03:52 The Origin of the Newcastle to Sydney Swim 08:44 Building the Dream Team: Finding the Right Support 11:59 The Commitment and Preparation for a Long Swim 14:08 Navigating 07Whirlpools and Tides 16:45 Feeding Strategy : Carbohydrates and Protein 20:11 The Constant Sting: Battling Bluebottles in the Ocean 23:15 Bioluminescence and the Milky Way 29:44 The Final Stretch: Locking in on the Goal and Reaching the Beach 34:35 Post-Swim Reflections: Burnt and Hungry 38:44 Lessons Learned from a Grueling Swim 44:15 The Connection Between Family and the Love of Water 50:30 What's next?

Dan Eisenhardt, CEO and Founder of FORM Swim, shares his journey of creating the world's first augmented reality swim goggles. Discover how real-time data can enhance your training sessions, the most useful features of the goggles, and the challenges faced during development. If you're looking to forge your own path in your professional life, Dan also provides valuable insights on getting started and three essential considerations for starting a business. Tune in to this episode for all this and more.

02:05 The Light Bulb Moment 04:49 The Evolution of Technology in Swimming Goggles 06:23 Testing the Prototype 07:52 The Complications of Delivering Low Latency Heart Rate Sensing in Water 12:47 The Indispensable Tool for Swimmers 13:56 Taking Areas of Interest and Experience to Create Something Different 16:13 Serendipity and the Right Place, Right Time 20:17 The Importance of Learning from Competitors 24:13 Acting with Conviction: Getting Things Done 29:00 Favourite Features in Form goggles 32:44 The Value of Premium Offerings 38:36 The Three Key Factors in Business Success 43:02 Form Goggles: A Game-Changer for Low-Tech Swimmers

In today's episode, I'll be sharing some of the mistakes I made in coaching and the valuable lessons I learned along the way. I believe these lessons can help you avoid similar pitfalls and succeed in your coaching journey. Additionally, I'm excited to announce the launch of our new course, the Freestyle Coaching Masterclass. Be sure to tune in!

00:30 Coaching Masterclass 04:02 Be Firm And Not Their Friend 06:52 Setting Minimum Standards 10:37 Energy is Transferred 13:28 Being Memorable 15:53 4 Hours Workweek : Mexican Fisherman and the Banker

In this episode, we sit down with Jarrod Briffa, an Australian freediving athlete, instructor, and online coach trained in the Oxygen Advantage. Jarrod's expertise lies in the power of breath and how it can enhance performance, reduce stress, and aid in recovery. As the founder of Drifters Freediving, he offers courses and private coaching to help individuals improve their breathing techniques. He has been the Australian Men's Champion at The Pool Freediving National Championships and has represented Australia in pool freediving at international competitions. Join us as we explore the importance of proper breathing in sports and everyday life.

00:00 Introduction 02:37 The Importance of CO2 Tolerance in Breathing 04:57 Understanding CO2 Tolerance and Breathing Patterns 08:12 Assessments and Exercises for CO2 Tolerance 9:52 Diaphragmatic Awareness for Swimmers: Techniques and Benefits 16:57 Building CO2 Tolerance 20:28 Benefits of Nasal Breathing for Swimmers 23:00 The Science of Breath Holding: Understanding Your Body's Responses and Limits 30:15 Breathing Easy in the Water: Effective Exercises and Techniques for Swimmers 38:40 Mental Strategies for Increasing Breath Length 39:43 Race Day Breathing Strategies for Swimmers 42:29 The Relationship Between CO2 Tolerance and Lactic Tolerance 47:37 The Impact of Proper Breathing on Recovery and Performance 51:09 Get In Touch with Jarod for Coaching!

In this episode, I'll share ten ways to increase your swim speed and become a better swimmer. So, let's dive in and explore these effective strategies.

00:29 Train Another Stroke 01:50 Change The Way That You're Training 03:04 Being Diligent With Your Skills 05:06 To Become Supple 05:53 Joining a Squad Or a Group of Swimmers 09:08 Occasionally, Don't Track Anything 10:40 Keeping Calm Under Pressure 12:58 Commit To A Swim Block 14:03 Pick One Thing And Stick To It For Three Months 15:50 Get Professional Help

Hollie Buerckner, an osteopath and swimmer, shares tips on preventing and rehabilitating shoulder injuries in a podcast episode. She suggests specific exercises to address shoulder issues and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between strength and mobility. Tune in to learn more.

00:00 Introduction 02:38 Understanding Shoulder Injuries in Swimmers 03:25 Four Causes of Shoulder Pain in Swimmers 05:13 Relationship Between Shoulder Pain and Range of Motion 09:51 Effective Shoulder Exercises for Swimmers 14:36 Common Mistakes Leading to Shoulder Pain in Swimmers 18:02 YTA Exercise for Scapular Strength 20:06 High Intensity vs. High Volume Training 22;34 Importance of Addressing Shoulder Pain Early 24:32 Balancing Mobility and Strength Training for Busy Athletes 27:42 The Stubbornness of Swimmers in Dealing with Pain 29:44 Motivation to Take Care of the Body 35:11 Get in touch with Hollie!

In this podcast episode, we hear from Jay Mueller, an emergency doctor who started swimming 16 months ago after injuries led him to take up the sport, as he could no longer run or ride. When Jay first started, he was averaging 2:15-2:30/100m and finding he was exhausted after a few hundred meters. Fast forward to today, where he is consistently swimming between 1:20-1:30 in training, with a personal best of 1:06 in the 100m freestyle. Tune in to learn about his transformation and the lessons he has learned along the way.

00:00 Introduction and Background 4:21 Initial Pace and Improvement 7:21 From Fast Swims to Sustainable Laps 9:38 The Science Behind Shoulder Pain Relief through Static Hangs 15:27 Improving Rotation and Reach 18:22 Strategies for Maintaining Buoyancy and Momentum in the Water 23:15 The Challenges of Learning a New Skill 28:28 Importance of Body Awareness in Swimming Technique 34:09 Drills for Technique Improvement 37:47 Impressive Swimming Progress in a Short Time 38:34 Being Patient and Kind to Yourself

In today's episode, we dive into a conversation with Frank Sole, the author of 'The Five "B" Method to a Successful Triathlon Swim.' We discuss Frank's evolution as a coach since writing the book, his key lessons for new athletes, and the importance of terminology in training and team dynamics. Frank also shares insights on leveraging breathing techniques for improved performance in the water, drawing from his training with a world-renowned expert. Tune in now!

00:00 Introduction 02:01 Challenges and Rewards of Coaching Retired Athletes 05:47 Elevating Your Swimming Sessions 09:59 Empowering Athletes Through Coaching: Building Trust and Value 16:04 The Science and Art of Mental Strength in Sports 20:21 Overcoming Setbacks and Staying Committed to Swim Training 22:21 The Power of Developing Good Habits 25:42 Breath Control and Body Position 30:33 Breath Work for Athletes: Building Lung Capacity and Endurance 36:47 Back to Basics: The Fundamental Role of Breathing in Coaching 43:09 Enhancing Swimming Skills through Play and Exploration 46:46 Swimming Without a Watch: Embracing the Feel of the Water 51:12 Embracing the Suck and Enjoying the Journey 55:40 Finding Creative Ways to Convey Instructions to Athletes 57:47 Celebrating Progress: Recognizing Improvements in Swimming 1: 01:11 Lessons Learned from Coaching Older Athletes 1:02:47 Get in touch with Frank Sole!

Join us in today's episode as we interview one of the best open water swimmers in the world, Sharon van Rouwendaal. We will delve into her recent double win at the world championships, her intense training regimen, and the mental fortitude that drives her success. She will be sharing insights on her transition from pool to open water swimming, managing injuries, and the importance of technique and kick in her training. Uncover Sharon's unwavering commitment to greatness, and her relentless pursuit of improvement. Tune in now!

01:41 The Double Win 05:56 The 110 Kilometer Week 08:23 Building Mental Toughness and Confidence 11:16 Training Environment and Culture 14:10 Understanding Open Water Racing 16:35 Transitioning from Pool to Open Water 18:35 Overcoming Shoulder Injury 22:11 Mastering the 6-beat kick 24:54 Learning from a New Coach 26:04 Coaching Others and Sharing Knowledge 30:46 Effective Communication in Coaching: Simplifying Techniques 32:56 5 Different Levels of Speed and Heart Rate Zones 37:34 Challenging Sets and Progression in Swim Training 41:10 Analyzing Training Sets and Building Confidence 44:05 Managing Training Load and Sleep 49:07 Challenges of Transitioning from Running to Swimming 50:34 Exploring Hobbies Beyond Sports 52:52 What's next for Sharon?

James ‘Iron Cowboy’ Lawrence is best known for his world record attempts at completing multiple Ironman events over consecutive days. Firstly, in 2015, he successfully completed 50 Ironmans in 50 days in 50 US states. Then in 2021, he decided to double this and complete 100 Ironmans in 100 days, going on to do this and one more to finish 101. The documentary on this challenge is coming out in March 2024. James is also a public speaker who was given the gift to 'suffer' and now helps provide hope to others and teach mental toughness through voluntary suffering. This episode is not to be missed.

00:00 Introduction 03:21 The Good, the Bad, and the Funny Moments 10:19 Lessons Learned in 50 Ironmans and Conquer 100 14:20 Pushing Limits and Ignoring Pain 15:52 Building Mental Toughness and Resilience 19:13 Mindfulness: Cultivating Inner Peace Amidst Distractions 21:15 How Disconnecting Can Improve Your Mental Health 23:22 Finding Mental Clarity Through Physical Activity 26:25 The Impact of Community and Shared Experiences 34:43 Embracing Difficulties: The Path to Growth and Wisdom 38:22 The Power of Physical Activity and Discomfort 39:48 The Motivation Behind the 50 and 100 Challenges 44:25 The Importance of Hope and Giving Back 47:07 Living Unapologetically and Without Fear of Judgment 50:16 Prioritizing Family Over Others' Opinions 51:55 What's next for James?

In today's podcast episode, professional triathlete and coach Mitch Kibby shares his journey from having little swimming background as a child to becoming a front pack swimmer in the pro field. He is the head coach and founder of i4 Coaching and has worked with Effortless Swimming at our clinics and camps. Mitch discusses his strategies for improving swimming performance and offers valuable insights and tips for swimmers and triathletes looking to improve their skills. Tune in now!

00:00 Introduction 02:39 Swimming Background 07:51 Long Journey to Success 11:01 Lessons Learned from Early Days of Training 16:55 Refining Coaching Cues 17:51 Tips from Elite Triathletes 23:36 Front End Speed Training 27:55 The Power of Training in Challenging Environments 29:22 Shorter Sets, Greater Gains 34:12 Improving Performance through Specific Training 36:15 The Value of Training Partners and Squad Training 39:12 The Hardest and Best Things About Being a Pro Triathlete 42:23 The Benefits of a Flexible Lifestyle 44:00 Transforming Negative Self-Talk into Positive Motivation 49:04 Maintaining Emotional Stability and Setting Realistic Goals 52:06 What's next for Mitch Kibby?