The Effortless Swimming Podcast

Today, we’re joined by Craig Lewin, founder of Endurance Swimming, who discovered his passion in the open water. Though he started as an average swimmer in the pool, Craig found his stride in marathon swimming, where endurance and mindset matter more than speed. In this episode, he shares his journey and insights on tackling challenging open water swims. Tune in now!

01:24 Journey into Marathon Swimming  06:01 Building a Support Network and Mentors 13:05 Training and Recovery Strategies 15:25 Patience in Progress: The Long-Term Training Mindset 18:15 Embracing the Flow: Letting Go of Pace in Long Swims 20:45 Tempo vs. Stroke Length 22:30 Mental Preparation and Long Swims 27:35 Building Confidence Through Repetition 28:36 Finding the Right Coach for Long Swims 31:05 Get in touch with Craig!

In this episode, we sit down with Ash Delaney, coach of Olympic Gold Medalist and 100m freestyle world-record holder Kyle Chalmers. Ash shares his approach to coaching freestyle and offers valuable insights into how swimmers can improve their speed and technique in the water.

00:13 Introduction 00:37 Body Position and Kick Mechanics 01:58 Coaching Kyle Chalmers 03:01 Recovery and Entry 04:41 The Importance of Video Feedback 04:47 Setting Up Your Catch 5:46 Favorite Drills 7:56 Breathing Techniques 10:05 Coaching Philosophy and Common Mistakes 12:25 Challenging Training Sets 13:50 Memorable Races: Best and Worst 15:27 The Best Advice

Jaimie Fuller is the founder of EO, the creators of the SwimBetter device, which measure the force and direction of a swimmer's hand movements. These devices were used by gold and silver medalists in the 100m freestyle, Pan Zhang Lee and Kyle Chalmers, in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics. Tune in now!

00:00 Introduction 02:08 Top Swimmers Using eo SwimBETTER 05:55 Downward Force in Swimmers: What the Data Reveals 9:34 Measuring Force and Direction for Stroke Improvement 16:31 Remote Coaching and Real-Time Feedback 20:29 Analyzing Brenton's Swim 25:40 Finding Your Unique Handpath 28:04 Understanding Force vs. Time 39:04 The Role of Hand Size in Performance 40:27 Launching a New Program

The women's 10km open water race at the Paris Olympics was a thrilling and grueling event that saw Sharon Van Rouwendaal of the Netherlands and Moesha Johnson of Australia showcase extraordinary endurance and strategy. Taking out the gold and silver medals, Sharon and Moesha put together a race for the ages. In this episode, we dive into the details of the race and how it played out. 

00:00 Introduction 01:45 Race Strategy 07:24 Preparation and Training 10:43 Adapting to Different Race Conditions 18:24 Navigating the Final Laps 24:06 Crossing the Finish Line 25:30 Moesha's Makes History for Australia in Open Water 27:50 Finding Strength in Loss 34:59 The Mindset of Champions 36:09 Post-Race Experiences: Media Attention and Future Plans 41:37 Get in touch with Sharon and Moesha!

Join former 6x Ironman Distance Champion and high-performance triathlon coach, Bek Keat, as she shares her insights on adapting your swimming stroke from the pool to the open water. Discover the changes triathletes must make to swim effectively in challenging conditions such as chops, waves, and crowded environments. Beck also reflects on her journey as a professional triathlete, discussing the lessons she learned and the transition into coaching. Tune in now!

00:00 Introduction 02:43 The Differences Between Open Water and Pool Swimming 05:48 The Importance of an Open Arm Recovery 11:40 Back to Basics: The Fundamentals of Breathing 17:52 The Impact of Changing Stroke Techniques 25:21 Bilateral Breathing and Breathing Patterns 29:58 Mobility, Flexibility, and Triathlon Training 35:09 The Pitfalls of Following Fitfluencers 39:21 The Accuracy of Metrics and Electronic Devices 41:51 Using Perceived Effort and Tuning into the Body 44:59 Getting Out of a Rut in Swimming: Ditch the Tech and Just Swim 49:07 Wetsuits and Buoyancy Shorts 51:30 Getting in Touch with Bek!

In today's episode, Dr. Sandra Harrell, a former 5-time NCAA All-American swimmer and physical therapy expert, shares her insights on injury prevention, strength training, and performance optimization. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Harrell covers the importance of consistent strength training, nutrition, and recovery. Her tips are valuable for athletes and those looking to stay fit as they age. Tune in now!

00:00 Introduction 02:05 The Importance of Proper Treatment and Care for Injuries 06:06 Lessons Learned: How I Would Approach Swimming Injuries Differently 08:58 Common Mistakes in Nutrition for Athletes 12:02 When and How to Start Strength Training 16:46 The Importance of Progressive Loading 20:32 The Timeframe for Seeing Results in Strength Training 22:33 The Role of Nutrition in Muscle Building and Recovery 26:50 How to Make Nutrition and Training Effortless 29:14 Customized Programs: Tailoring Training for Athletes' Goals 33:28 Finding the Right Balance: Training vs. Recovery 38:19 Success Stories: Overcoming Injuries and Improving Performance 42:46 Lifting Weights for Longevity: The Key to Enjoying Activities as We Age 48:33 How to Get in Touch with Sandra!

We're thrilled to have Chipper and Chris, the powerhouse duo behind the Löw Tide Böyz, join us. Based in Northern California, this dynamic SwimRun team is on a mission to grow the sport of SwimRun and bring it to the forefront of endurance athletics. In this episode, we'll explore why many endurance athletes are making the transition to this sport. We discuss the reasons behind its rapid growth and provide valuable insights for those interested in getting started with SwimRun. Tune in now!

00:54 Introduction to Chipper and Chris, the Löw Tide Böyz 06:27 What is SwimRun? The Basics and Origins 08:29 The Evolution of Equipment and Gear in SwimRun 13:55 Training and Strength Requirements for SwimRun 16:55 The aha moment: falling in love with SwimRun 20:36 Unexpected Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles in SwimRun 26:35 The Success of the Löw Tide Böyz Podcast: Building a Global Community 29:41 The Future of SwimRun: Innovations and Changes 35:04 Your Guide to Starting SwimRun: Resources and Tips 36:38 Get in touch with the Löw Tide Böyz!

James Anderson is an Australian-based international speaker, author, and educator passionate about helping people become better learners. In today’s episode, we cover how to fast-track our improvement as swimmers, when and how to use feedback on our technique, as well how to develop the skill of learning for better results in our swimming, work and family lives. Tune in now!

02:53 Introduction to Learning and Learnership 04:27 Understanding the Difference: Being Taught vs. Learning 26:41 Different Levels of Learners 08:57 Differentiating Between Acceptable and Unacceptable Mistakes 12:05 Active Learning and Intentional Practice 14:56 Developing a Growth Mindset and Embracing Feedback 18:42 Transforming Feedback into Actionable Advice 24:32 Changing How You See Feedback 34:32 Comfort Zone vs. Learning Zone 38:25 Frustration as a Sign of Growth 45:43 Why Some Swimmers Get Faster Immediately, While Others Get Slower 47:20 Cultivating Habits of Mind 50:28 Get in touch with James!

Today, we’re excited to welcome Tracey Bauman back to the podcast! She was a hit on episode 338, where we discussed making swimming more comfortable and efficient. In this episode, we’ll dive deeper into building a strong connection between your torso, legs, and arms, and the importance of good posture and alignment. We’ll also explore the benefits of experimenting with different kicking techniques, how body rotation affects propulsion, and finding the right balance between stroke rate and stroke count. Tune in now!

01:33 Building the Body from the Inside Out: The Key to Connection and Timing 5:35 Breaking Down the Catch 11:00 Visualizing the Ideal Arm Position for Faster, Safer Swimming 14:38 Understanding the Role of the Kick 19:56 Choosing the Right Kick Type and How to Execute It 30:00 Finding Balance and Power through Body Rotation 37:23 Stroke Rate and Cadence 43:32 Why Chasing Times Isn't Always the Answer 46:45 Get in touch with Tracy!

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a Q&A session where I will answer your questions submitted on Instagram! Tune in for helpful tips and insights on how to improve your swimming.

00:48 I tried adjusting my head position, but my legs still sit too low. Do you have any recommendations? 02:42 How do you keep your hand up and gliding during the reach phase? 05:26 How do I ensure I feel my lats during a workout rather than my traps and upper back? 06:47 I went from a 1:45 to a 1:32 pace in four months, thanks to you. Now I'm hitting a wall. Any advice? 09:04 Can you explain the timing for rotation in catch phase? 13:18 How long does it take to go from being a leisurely swimmer to a highly competent swimmer? 15:48 How do you improve the skill of feeling the water? 19:20 When I push hard on the pull, it speeds up my entire process. How do I keep the cadence regular? 22:20 First focus priority, kick or catch? 23:25 Why is swimming focused on rep time cycles instead of work-to-rest ratios? 24:38 My stomach drops, but my head and legs are up, resulting in this weird U-shaped form. How do I fix it? 26:31 Send your questions!