Sneakily one of the fastest men to ever sprint, Canadian and Florida Gator Josh Liendo is coming off a career year in 2024. His sophomore campaign at UF included 3 individual event wins at NCAAs, along with leading the Gators to 2 relay wins, building on the already solid freshman year (100 free + 3 relay wins). Somehow that wasn’t enough to earn him a Swimmer of the Year, only topped by Leon Marchand with his record performances.

Josh continued the momentum in Paris, earning a silver medal with his statement 100 butterfly that nearly won gold, dipping under 50 seconds with a 49.99, only the 5th to ever do that, and at the same time making him the first black Canadian swimmer to win an Olympic medal. Josh nearly had 2 medals, with an under the radar 4th place in the 50 just missing the podium. The perfect Olympic results to feel major accomplishment, while still wanting more.

Taught to swim in Trinidad and Tobago til age 11 before moving north, Josh automatically ascended to the exclusive list of Luke’s favorite pod guests before we started, but cemented that place during this fun conversation.