Charlotte O'Beirne is the founder of Swimming Women, open water swimmer, coach, community builder and self-described "Chief Mermaid".

In this conversation, Charlotte shares her journey from competitive swimming in England to marathon ocean swimming in Western Australia, including multiple Rottnest Channel crossings and a personal battle with fear in the ocean. More importantly, she explains how those experiences led to the creation of Swimming Women, a community that has helped thousands of women build confidence, develop new skills and discover a sense of belonging in the water.

We discuss the importance of safe and supportive swimming environments, the power of community, lessons learned from coaching women of all ages and abilities, and why swimming is often about much more than swimming itself.

Whether you're a pool swimmer, open water swimmer, triathlete, coach, or someone considering a return to the water, this episode is a reminder that there are many ways to find your place in swimming.

🌊 Swimming Women

📸 Swimming Women on Instagram

📘 Swimming Women on Facebook

Enjoyed this episode?

You can also follow The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming on Facebook and Instagram for more episodes, insights and updates.

This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

Dr Jeremy Drake is a cancer researcher at Deakin University, a former elite triathlete and a current world championship age-group medallist. More than twenty years ago, I had the opportunity to coach Jeremy during his early years in elite draft-legal triathlon. Since then, his journey has spanned international triathlon competition, a PhD in cancer biology and a career dedicated to understanding how exercise and stress influence cancer progression.

In this conversation, we explore the lessons Jeremy learnt from elite sport, including a challenging introduction to draft-legal racing in Hobart and the persistence required to bounce back just six weeks later. We discuss the realities of balancing a PhD with high-performance sport, the role of resilience in both science and athletics and the personal experiences that shaped Jeremy's commitment to cancer research.

Jeremy shares the story of his mother's breast cancer diagnosis, how it transformed his perspective as both a scientist and a son and the importance of persistence when facing setbacks in life, sport and research.

We also dive into some fascinating emerging science exploring the relationship between exercise, stress and cancer. Jeremy explains what myokines are, how exercising muscles communicate with the rest of the body and why researchers are increasingly interested in the role physical activity may play in improving cancer outcomes.

We also discuss:

ProMetTre Cancer Research

Jeremy Drake, Deakin University

Instagram

If you found this conversation valuable, share it with a training partner or someone in your swimming or triathlon community.

You can also follow The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming on Facebook and Instagram for more episodes, insights and updates.

This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

What does it mean to age successfully as an athlete?

In this episode, I sit down with Professor Peter Reaburn, one of Australia's leading experts on masters athletes and someone who has spent a lifetime bridging the gap between sport science and real-world athletic performance.

Peter's journey spans competitive swimming, surf lifesaving, triathlon, academia and masters sport. From winning one of Queensland's earliest triathlons and achieving his goal of racing the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, to leading research into healthy ageing and athletic performance, Peter brings a unique combination of scientific expertise and lived experience.

Together, we explore:

Throughout the conversation, Peter shares not only the science underpinning healthy ageing and athletic performance, but also lessons learned from more than five decades in swimming, surf lifesaving and endurance sport.

Whether you're an open water swimmer, triathlete, coach or simply interested in maintaining health and performance as you age, this episode provides valuable insights into what it means to stay active, engaged and thriving throughout life.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Enjoyed this episode?

If you found this conversation valuable, share it with a training partner or someone in your swimming or triathlon community.

You can also follow The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming on Facebook and Instagram for more episodes, insights and updates.

https://www.instagram.com/scienceandartofows/ (@scienceandartofows)

This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

Why do people come to the water, and what keeps them returning?

In this episode, I’m joined by William Ellis: open-water swimmer, marathon swim coach, actor, voice artist, and host of An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast. Through his own swimming journey and hundreds of conversations with swimmers from around the world, Will has developed a unique perspective on resilience, community, personal growth, and the role the water can play in helping us navigate life's challenges.

Our conversation explores:

We also discuss Will's successful English Channel crossing, his circumnavigation swims of Jersey, his preparation for a 70 km lengthwise swim of Lake Geneva, and the charitable work supporting his son Odie's specialist school.

🌊 An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast

🎙️ William Ellis

🏊‍♂️ Open Water Swimming profile

❤️ Lake Geneva fundraiser supporting Odie's specialist SEND school

If you found this conversation valuable, share it with a training partner or someone in your swimming or triathlon community.

You can also follow The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming on Facebook and Instagram for more episodes, insights and updates.

https://www.instagram.com/scienceandartofows/ 

This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

What makes an open water swimming event truly accessible?

In this episode of The Science & Art of Open Water Swimming, I speak with Sam Moore, one of the driving forces behind the GeoBay Swim, a unique 20 km point-to-point swim from Dunsborough to Busselton that has quickly become a favourite on the Western Australian open water swimming calendar.

Sam shares the story of how the event grew from an idea during Ironman WA training sessions in Geographe Bay, and how a chance conversation led him to discover that coach Mick Bray had created a similar swim years earlier. We explore how that original concept evolved into the GeoBay Swim we know today.

We discuss:

More broadly, this conversation explores how thoughtful event design can help more people experience the challenge, community and enjoyment of open water swimming.

GeoBay Swim

GeoBay Swim on Instagram

GeoBay Swim on Facebook

Parkinson's WA

Follow The Science & Art of Open Water Swimming for conversations with swimmers, coaches, researchers and event organisers exploring the many dimensions of open water swimming.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, your swim squad, or anyone interested in open water swimming.

This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

Open water swimming in Western Australia continues to grow, attracting everyone from first-time ocean swimmers to elite athletes competing on the world stage.

In this episode, I speak with Ben Roberts, Manager of Events and Partnerships at Swimming WA, about the evolution of the Swimming WA Open Water Series, now entering its twentieth season. We discuss the factors driving participation growth, how the series caters for swimmers of all ages and abilities, and the role open water swimming can play in building confidence, community and lifelong involvement in the sport.

Ben also shares his own journey from elite pool swimmer to managing Australia's largest open water swimming series, along with his perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing open water swimming in Western Australia.

Swimming WA Open Water Series https://www.openwaterswimming.com.au/

Swimming WA https://wa.swimming.org.au/

Swimming WA Open Water Series Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OWSSeries

Swimming WA Open Water Series Instagram https://www.instagram.com/owsseries/

Enjoyed this episode?

If you found this conversation valuable, share it with a training partner or someone in your swimming or triathlon community.

You can also follow The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming on Facebook and Instagram for more episodes, insights and updates.

https://www.instagram.com/scienceandartofows/ (@scienceandartofows)

This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

What does endurance sport give us beyond fitness and performance?

In this episode, I speak with Jordina Quain, an endurance swimmer, Ironman athlete, sexologist, educator and PhD researcher exploring how exercise shapes women's sexuality and sense of self.

Jordi recently completed her first solo Port to Pub crossing to Rottnest Island after overcoming significant health challenges, using open water swimming as both a comeback goal and a pathway back to confidence, capability and connection.

Our conversation explores the deeper reasons people are drawn to endurance sport, including belonging, identity, purpose and what Jordi describes as the feeling of mattering. We discuss how exercise can influence confidence, relationships and body image, why some important aspects of women's experiences in sport remain under-discussed, and what her research is beginning to reveal about the connections between physical, mental and sexual wellbeing.

We also reflect on the role of community in achieving ambitious goals, the power of language in shaping our experiences, and why open water swimming continues to draw us back to the ocean.

Instagram: @the_sporty_sexologist

LinkedIn: Jordina Quain

Enjoyed this episode?

You can also follow The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming on Facebook and Instagram for more episodes, insights and updates.

Instagram: @scienceandartofows

This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

What does great preparation actually look like?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr Sacha Fulton, Accredited Sports Scientist, athlete preparation specialist, founder of Peak Preparation and a two-time Rottnest Channel solo swimmer, to explore how athletes can build the behaviours, routines and adaptability needed to perform when conditions don't go to plan.

Drawing on her experiences in elite sport, her work with Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and her own journey through endurance sport and open water swimming, Sacha shares why preparation is about far more than simply accumulating training kilometres.

We discuss:

Whether you're preparing for your first open water swim, a Rottnest Channel crossing, or simply looking to become a more resilient and adaptable athlete, this episode offers practical insights from someone who has spent a career helping athletes perform at their best.

Links

🌐 Peak Preparation: https://www.peakpreparation.com.au/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peakpreparation/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sacha-fulton/

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with a friend or training partner.

This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

In part two of my conversation with Adam O'Byrne, we explore his move from marathon swimming into the world of ice swimming.

Adam discusses cold-water adaptation, preparing for an Ice Mile, the physiological and psychological differences between marathon swimming and ice swimming, and how his background as a paramedic influences his approach to safety and risk.

We also talk about earning the Frosted Triple Crown, becoming an Iron Iceman, balancing endurance sport with family and career, and why some of the most important training sessions are the ones that prepare you for when things don't go according to plan.

A thoughtful discussion about challenge, preparation and what Adam calls "training for the moments"

Enjoyed this episode?

If you found this conversation valuable, share it with a training partner or someone in your swimming or triathlon community.

You can also follow The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming on Facebook and Instagram for more episodes, insights and updates.

https://www.instagram.com/scienceandartofows/ (@scienceandartofows)

This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

Adam O'Byrne's endurance sport journey spans Ironman triathlon, multiple Rottnest Channel crossings and the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming.

In this first part of our conversation, Adam reflects on his progression from AFL football and paramedic shift work into Ironman racing, qualifying for Kona and eventually discovering marathon swimming. We discuss his first solo Rottnest crossing, the lessons learned from a winter double crossing, the importance of crew and community, and what it took to complete the English Channel, Catalina Channel and Manhattan Island swims.

Along the way, Adam shares insights on preparation, resilience, swimming through the night and how endurance sport has evolved alongside family life and career.

This is part one of a two-part conversation with Adam O'Byrne.

Enjoyed this episode?

If you found this conversation valuable, share it with a training partner or someone in your swimming or triathlon community.

You can also follow The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming on Facebook and Instagram for more episodes, insights and updates.

https://www.instagram.com/scienceandartofows/ (@scienceandartofows)

This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.