Four-time Olympic medalist, two-time Olympic champion Cullen Jones gets raw and real in this GMM takeover of the SwimSwam Podcast.

Cullen has enjoyed many highs and some tough lows. In this interview Cullen shares how Coach Bob Bowman, David Marsh and his own mother called him out in brutally honest ways during one of his lows, when, frankly, his grit for training didn't match his talent. Bowman delivered his message - his wisdom - as they watched the final Cullen missed from the stands.

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https://youtu.be/Cgc1VjFy5z4

I sat down with 3-time Olympian and World Champion Lotte Friis. Lotte was always one of my favorite swimmers outside of the pool for how gracefully she carried herself and presented herself in interviews. We started by talking about what Lotte's doing now, which is interviewing people for a living on a Danish radio station. Lotte talks about how much she loves hearing others' stories, no matter their walk of life or background. 

We then got into Lotte's own story with swim. Lotte gave us her ups and downs, from her Olympic medal in 2008 to being a world champion in 2009 and 2011. The title refers to her result at the 2012 Olympics, where she was sure she would win a medal no matter what but ended up finishing 5th in the 800. She said this broke her and was ready to retire. However, giving the wound a little more time, she decided to give it another go tells the audience how she was able to get back in the saddle for her 3rd Olympics.

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Music: Otis McDonald

I sat down with Ting Quah, 2-time Olympian for Singapore, UCLA All-American, and older sister to Zheng Quah (Cal) and Jing Quah (Texas A&M). Ting Quah explains the important perspective she gained from the ISL as an "older" swimmer as well as how the rooming with her sister at the 2019 World Championships gave them an opportunity to grow their relationship outside of the pool. 

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Music: Otis McDonald

I sat down with Olympic champion and sprint savant Abbey Weitzeil, who is getting ready for the ISL semi-finals. Weitzeil broke down just about every aspect of living and racing in the ISL bubble, from adjusting to SCM to managing racing back-to-back meets. She shares the difference between tapering for a meet like NCAAs or Olympic Trials and "preparing" and properly resting for the ISL post-season.

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Music: Otis McDonald

I sat down with Olympic champion and distance machine, Mack Horton. Mack is one of the most relaxed guys I've had the pleasure of talking to, often cracking jokes and laughing throughout the interview. He's also able to laugh at himself quite a bit, admitting where he's made mistakes during his long swimming journey. We dissect and discuss and myriad of topics, including preparing for the 2016 Olympic Games (and his subsequent victory in the 400m free), his thoughts on ISL, distance training with Gregorio Paltrinieri, why he won't be swimming the 1500 competitively anymore, and his reaction to Sun Yang getting handed an 8-year doping suspension.

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Music: Otis McDonald

USA Swimming COO Mike Unger drops in on the SwimSwam pod to talk about the 2020 Golden Goggles — streaming Nov 19th 8pm EST. This marks the 17th Goggles, and USA Swimming’s taking this opportunity to honor the 1980 Olympic Team.

(For young swimmers who may not know—President Carter boycotted the 1980 Olympics. So, there was not an Olympics that year for Team USA, a sad chapter in the Olympic movement that hurt many of our most iconic swim stars.)

Mike’s more than the USA swimming COO, he’s a bit of a swim historian—who loves our sport dearly and has always wanted to honor this US Olympic Team. Mike’s crew at USA swimming has dedicated a lot energy toward this TV event, and I strongly believe this will be a special Golden Goggles you don’t want to miss. Tune in Nov 19, 8pm EST at usaswimming.org

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Music: Otis McDonald

I sat down with my followed mustached Coleman, the one who swims way faster than I do, Coleman Stewart. Coleman seems to have found his rhythm in both short course meters and racing the best in the world inside the ISL bubble as we saw him take down Guilherme Guido in the 50 back last weekend and place 2nd in the 100 back. Stewart explains how he's been able to move through this transition period and learn every step of the way, especially considering this is his first season as a professional swimmer.

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Music: Otis McDonald

I sat down with Kennedy Noble, the #9 recruit in the class of 2022. Noble talks about what made her fall in love with swimming... and what didn't. She actually quit for a period when she was young because she wasn't enjoying it, but later came back with a new attitude and new coach. Noble also takes us through what having a mom who was in the UFC is like.

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Music: Otis McDonald

I sat down with Grace Sheble, the #3 recruit in the class of 2021. Grace, an NC State commit along with her sister Caroline, talks about the dynamic between her and her sister and how swim affects that. Grace says they have a special bond where they can both be the leader and the follower; that both roles are played by both sisters.

Check out Mat Talk with Jason Bryant here.

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Music: Otis McDonald

I sat down with Mat Talk's Jason Bryant, who takes the time to track all cut and newly introduced collegiate teams in the NCAA so you don't have to. He broke down the whys and why not have any given university cutting a sports team and how the global COVID-19 pandemic has affected these rates. Bryant also gives ideas and possible solutions for what teams can do to be proactive in avoiding their teams going on the chopping block.

Check out Mat Talk with Jason Bryant here.

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Music: Otis McDonald