On deck in Fort Lauderdale at the 2025 Fall Classic Meet, Host Kelly Palace interviews International Swimming Hall of Famer and Masters Swimming Icon, Tim Shead as we explore how a missed shot at the 1976 Olympic Trials became the spark for a lifetime of learning, longevity, and dozens of world records. Tim’s story is a lesson in patience, training culture, and the quiet power of choosing meaningful swims over hollow wins.

We trace his path from Florida age-group lanes to the University of Pennsylvania and three decades in South Africa, where he sharpened his approach to nutrition, recovery, and resilience. Tim explains why his favorite event—the 100 IM—perfectly matches his philosophy: balance the strokes, manage the fade, slow the slowest. He talks candidly about the joy of training more than racing, the importance of lane mates who “ask no quarter and give no quarter,” and how simple, progressive sets can create compounding gains. Expect practical details on frequency, volume, and mindset—plus how water doubles as refuge when life gets loud.

One of the most moving moments is Tim’s account of spotting a young Kirsty Coventry’s potential and making the call that helped redirect her path—an example of mentorship that echoes through Olympic history. Along the way we dig into late-career peaks, personal bests at 55, and why success in Masters swimming is less about medals and more about honest progress. If you’re chasing faster times, deeper joy, or a training reset, this conversation delivers the perspective and tools to keep you moving forward. Subscribe, share with your lane mates, and leave a review to help more swimmers find the show.

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