The Diving Pod

In this episode of The Diving Pod, we sit down with Kalina Ceglinski, junior diver at Northern Michigan, to talk through her diving journey and continued growth at the collegiate level. Kalina opens up about what it was like arriving at NMU and fully embracing the challenge of developing on 3-meter once she got to college, highlighting her coachability, curiosity, and willingness to learn somethin...

In this upcoming episode of The Diving Pod, Heath and Aaron sit down with South Carolina diver Sophie Verzyl to talk through her diving journey and the mindset that has shaped her career. Sophie shares her experiences competing at a high level, how she’s grown as an athlete over time, and the mental approach she brings to training and competition. From handling pressure on the boards to staying co...

In this episode, Heath and Aaron give their perspective on last chance meets and share their opinions on how athletes and coaches should approach them. They also discuss feet-first entries, why they matter, and common things they see on deck that can impact scoring. Everyone should also head over to The Diving Pod YouTube channel to watch the Max Flory mentor demo, where Max breaks down key concep...

In this episode of The Diving Pod, we break down everything that stood out from the recently completed USA Diving Winter Nationals. From breakout performances by young athletes to veterans showing why they continue to raise the standard, Winter Nationals once again proved to be one of the most important checkpoints in the domestic season.

This week’s episode features Manny Pollard, a name that carries real weight in the diving world. Manny’s journey has taken him from being a standout diver at Minnesota, to sharpening his coaching craft as an assistant diving coach at Texas, and now back home where he’s building something special. Manny joins the pod to talk about launching and running a Minnesota-based program with one clear missi...

In this episode of The Diving Pod, we dive into everything you need to know ahead of the 2025 USA Diving Winter Nationals. We break down the key storylines heading into the championship, highlight the athletes to watch on both springboard and platform, and explore how this year’s event will shape the early road toward the 2028 Olympic cycle.

In this episode, The Diving Pod sits down with Egyptian Olympian and current University of Miami standout Mohamed Farouk. Mohamed shares the story of his remarkable journey—from growing up in Egypt and discovering the sport of diving, to developing into one of the nation’s top athletes and ultimately representing his country on the Olympic stage. He reflects on his transition to the University of...

In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Bennett, standout senior diver at the University of Minnesota, to dive into his unique journey through the recruiting process and what ultimately led him to join the Gophers. Andrew shares what it’s been like training under legendary coach Wenbo Chen, offering insight into Wenbo’s coaching style, training environment, and the lessons that have shaped his de...

In this episode of The Diving Pod, we welcome Max Flory, current Team USA diver and rising leader in the sport, to talk about his brand-new Max Flory Mentor Program. Balancing his own elite career with a drive to support the next generation, Max shares why he felt compelled to create a mentorship platform while still competing at the highest level. Max dives into how his experiences—both the highs...

In this episode, we sit down with Louisville Diving Coach Ryan Rougeux, whose story is a true testament to perseverance, hometown pride, and passion for the sport. From growing up in Louisville to guiding one of his divers to the Olympic final stage, Ryan’s journey is anything but ordinary. We dive into how he built a top program right where it all began — the lessons learned along the way, the ev...

In this episode of The Diving Pod, we sit down with Auburn freshman Juliette Landi, one of diving’s most exciting young talents. Despite only beginning her diving journey around 2021–2022, Juliette has already made an incredible leap — earning a spot to represent France at the 2024 Olympic Games. 🇫🇷 Juliette shares what it’s been like stepping into the sport so recently and adapting to the elite l...

In this week’s episode of The Diving Pod, we’re joined by Auburn freshman Ben Wilson, a talented diver from Australia who shares the story of how he found his way to the NCAA and the Auburn Tigers. Ben walks us through his unique recruiting journey, from training Down Under to connecting with Auburn’s powerhouse program, and reflects on the transition to college life in the U.S. He also opens up a...

In this special episode of The Diving Pod, we welcome PDCA Member Aaron Hintz, who is leading a groundbreaking initiative — the first-ever official PDCA Diving Ratings & Rankings. This marks a historic moment for the sport, as diving finally joins the ranks of other collegiate and Olympic sports with a structured, data-driven ranking system designed to celebrate consistency, difficulty, and ex...

In this episode, Heath and Aaron dive into their bold predictions for the upcoming NCAA Diving Championships — breaking down who they think will take home the titles on both the men’s and women’s sides.  They also unpack the first-ever PDCA Individual Diving Rankings, discussing how they were created, what they reveal about the current state of collegiate diving, and what impact they could have mo...

This week on The Diving Pod, we dive into the story of Molly Gray, Stanford’s newest freshman standout. A decorated junior competitor turned collegiate hopeful, Molly is already making waves in the diving community.

This week on The Diving Pod, we sit down with Bo Bridges, a sophomore diver at the University of Arizona. Bo shares his journey navigating the challenges of roster cuts and the transfer portal, offering an honest look at the ups and downs of college athletics. He also talks about what excites him most about his new chapter in Tucson and the opportunities ahead as a Wildcat.

The Diving Pod – Featuring Jake Passmore This week, we sit down with Miami sophomore diver Jake Passmore, who has already made waves on the international stage representing Ireland at the Olympics. Jake takes us inside his recruiting journey to Miami, shares what it was like training and competing at the Olympic level, and talks about the grind of pushing for bigger dives on 3-meter as he continue...

In this inspiring episode, The Diving Pod spotlights Kayleigh Clark, a 6th-year senior whose journey through the sport of diving is defined by resilience, grit, and perseverance. Despite battling through years of injuries and setbacks, Kayleigh never let go of her dream. Now, with her collegiate career nearing its pinnacle, she’s finally getting her chance to shine on the boards. Kayleigh opens up...

In this episode of The Diving Pod, we sit down with Rutgers sophomore diver Katerina Hoffman. She shares her journey in the sport, the unique experience of having both of her parents as coaches—her mom at the collegiate level and her dad at the club level—and how her close-knit family has shaped her diving career.

Indiana University freshman diver Josh Hedberg joins The Diving Pod to share his journey into the sport, his move to Indiana for elite club training, and his commitment to IU. Josh opens up about what it’s like to chase big dreams at a young age and how he’s preparing for the future on one of diving’s biggest stages.

In this episode of The Diving Pod, Heath and Aaron sit down to recap three of the biggest events in the sport this summer—Junior Nationals, World Championships, and the Junior Pan Am Games. From standout dives to breakout performances, they break down the highlights, share their insights on rising stars, and reflect on what these competitions mean for the future of diving in the U.S. and internati...

In this episode of The Diving Pod, we reveal our Top 10 U.S. male and female senior divers. From Olympians to NCAA standouts, we break down the athletes shaping the sport — joined by a special guest sharing their own top 10 list and insights.

Espen Bergslien – Building Norway’s Diving Future In this episode, we sit down with Espen Bergslien, Head Coach of the Norwegian National Diving Team. Espen shares his journey from athlete to national coach, the evolution of diving in Norway, and the challenges and opportunities of developing elite athletes in a smaller diving nation. He offers insight into Norway’s training philosophy. From grass...

In this episode, we sit down with Norwegian national team diver Isak Borslien to talk about his journey in the sport. From discovering diving in Norway to progressing through junior competitions, Isak shares how his love for the sport evolved into an international career. He walks us through his transition into senior-level meets and talks on the upcoming experience of representing Norway at the 2...