The Weekly Freestyle

This week Alex Sutton and Luke Withers dive head first into the chaos surrounding the Commonwealth Games and European Championships selections 👀

From shock omissions to confusing policies, the boys break down the biggest talking points coming out of Team England’s decisions, including why some swimmers booked their spot while others were left watching from home despite delivering at trials.

They discuss the complicated selection process behind the scenes, relay politics, returning athletes, junior swimmers being thrown into senior competition, and whether trying to race both Commonwealths and Europeans could end up helping or hurting performances this summer.

There’s also debate around Glasgow being prioritised as the “home games,” surprise names included for relay value, and the growing frustration around how difficult selection policies have become to understand for athletes and fans alike.

Plus: Danny Wiffen rumours, Gretchen Walsh breaking swimming history, Ryan Murphy’s return, and plenty of freestyle opinions throughout 🎧

This week TWF has the pleasure of being joined by Liam Bourke, better known as Swim With Liam across social media. Although Liam has been immersed in the world of swimming for more than a decade, his rise online has happened in less than a year, with his engaging coaching content reaching thousands of swimmers, parents, and coaches around the world. From balancing a demanding coaching schedule to building a rapidly growing online presence, Liam shares the story behind his journey and the passion that drives everything he does.

We dive into how Liam transformed the swimming programme at Bishopsgate School from the ground up into one of the most competitive school setups in the country. Starting with a brand-new pool and very limited competitive success, Liam built a pathway focused on enjoyment, consistency, and long-term development. The conversation explores his philosophy of creating a positive environment where swimmers can thrive, why fun is such an important part of performance, and how creative coaching methods have helped produce county record holders, national finalists, and one of the largest school squads in the country.

Outside of the pool, Liam opens up about the realities of modern coaching, the growth of the Swim With Liam brand, and the opportunities social media has created within swimming. He discusses working with brands such as Zoggs, the challenges of balancing a 70-hour work week, and his ambition to continue growing both the Bishopsgate programme and his online platform. Most importantly, Liam explains why he genuinely loves coaching, the responsibility of shaping young athletes, and his belief that keeping children engaged and passionate about swimming is the key to long-term success.

Find Liam's socials here ⬇️

https://www.instagram.com/swimwithliam/

https://www.youtube.com/@swimwithliam

This week Alex is joined by Luke Withers who review the second half of champs.

This includes races such as: Men's 100 Fly, Women's 400 Free, Women's 200 Breast, Women's 100 Fly and so many more!

We decide on our race and swim of the week too.

We finally sit down and review the first half of the AGB Champs.

With plenty of world class swims, we discuss our favourites.

Enjoy!

A day(s) in the life at AGB Champs - the premier event in the domestic calendar.

Hear who the podcast speaks to including a host of athletes, contributors to the show and anyone we could get our mic in front of!

Our massive Champs Preview

Tom Dean Speaks to the pod

We are swimming on TUESDAY!!

The Weekly Freestyle Podcast hits the “nervy 90s” with plenty to unpack, from behind-the-scenes chaos to big moments in the swimming world. There’s talk of listener involvement and a potential chance to join an upcoming relay, alongside recognition from the Royal Holloway Colors Ball where a Coach of the Year nomination, Freshman of the Year win, and a crest award capped off a strong night for the club.

A huge focus is on Cam McEvoy’s 20.88 world record in the 50m freestyle, breaking down the explosive start, race execution, and the ultra low-volume, race-pace training approach shaking up sprint swimming. The discussion digs into whether this method is the future or if it only works off the back of years of high-volume training and elite physical attributes.

The episode rounds out with key results from the Paris meet ahead of British Championships, plus exciting news of a potential Weekly Freestyle relay team entering competition. There’s even a call for a guest swimmer to join the squad, before wrapping up with race pace training chat and a fast, fun finish.

This week’s episode of The Weekly Freestyle dives into the creative mind of Lily Csonka, exploring how spontaneity shapes their content and why some of the best ideas come in the most unexpected moments. From filming on the fly to scrolling through TikTok for inspiration, Lily shares the reality of bringing ideas to life and the challenges of working in an environment where not everyone wants to be on camera. It is an honest look at creativity without structure, where not everything goes to plan but authenticity always wins.

The conversation also uncovers the balance between shyness and self expression, as Lily opens up about finding content creation therapeutic despite moments of embarrassment. Treating filming like a job helps them push past self doubt, while the positive support from the community outweighs any negativity. Along the way, they share their favorite swimming venues across Europe, from the vibrant outdoor atmosphere of Canet-en-Roussillon to the iconic Duna Arena in Budapest, while even dropping a surprising hot take on the famous Foro Italico.

From unforgettable moments poolside to behind the scenes stories with elite athletes, including encounters with David Popovici and the British relay squad featuring Duncan Scott, this episode blends humor, insight, and real life experiences in the swimming world. Lily also dives into their unique swim cap collection and shares some bold opinions on the sport, including why freestyle is their least favorite stroke.

Edinburgh bonus review show

In this episode, Alex Sutton sits down with Sam Lawman to dive into his unique journey through the world of life saving sport. Sam shares how he transitioned from standard pool swimming into a discipline that blends speed, endurance, and real world rescue skills, arguing that while it demands more technical ability, it also offers greater longevity in the water.

The conversation explores Great Britain’s position on the global stage, highlighting the strong team culture shaped by the strategic format of World Championship competition. Sam also reflects on one of the defining moments of his career, the unforgettable relay victory at the 2022 World Championships.

Beyond life saving, the episode takes a candid look at the current state of competitive pool swimming, including criticism of the restrictive Olympic qualification process for the 50 meter events. Sam also talks about building his presence outside the pool through his YouTube channel, Slaw Swims, and touches on his achievements in masters swimming.

A must listen for swimmers, life saving athletes, and anyone interested in the evolution of aquatic sport.

SLAW SWIMS: https://youtube.com/@slawswims?si=YrsKi2u5AChNUQ-Z