The Effortless Swimming Podcast

Join us in this inspiring episode as we talk to professional triathlete Kat Matthews. Despite a major setback in 2022 when she was hit by a car before the Kona Ironman World Championships, Kat found inspiration and made a triumphant comeback the following year. We discuss her journey of overcoming adversity and her impressive second-place finish at the Ironman World Championships. Whether you're a...

In this episode, we welcome back Dr Jim Taylor, a renowned psychologist specializing in sports and performance. Dr Taylor shares his insights and strategies from his recent experience at the World Championships in Spain. We discuss topics such as adjusting intensity based on race distance, effective focus and mindset for training and racing, and the importance of being brutally honest with oneself...

Join us on today's episode as we interview Flynn Southam, a talented young Australian swimmer who has already achieved remarkable success at the age of 18. He's been in the Commonwealth Games team and won numerous gold medals at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships. We delve into Flynn's unique perspective on technique, exploring the key aspects he focuses on and the mindset he maintains during tr...

In this podcast episode, we have the privilege of sitting down with Leigh Nugent, one of the world's top technical coaches. With his extensive experience as the National Youth Coach for Swimming Australia and former Head Coach, Lee shares valuable insights on improving freestyle technique. He also discusses the champion mindset and shares stories of swimmers who have overcome injuries and achieved...

Join us on this podcast episode as we sit down with Brian Johns from Form Goggles. Brian discusses the exciting new features of Form Goggles and how they can help swimmers improve their technique. From measuring efficiency to providing real-time feedback on head and breathing position, these goggles are a game-changer for swimmers of all levels. Tune in now! 01:03 Exploring Form Score: A Universal...

Welcome to the podcast with our special guest, RJ Boergers, the author of 'Finish Strong: Resistance Training for Endurance Athletes.' RJ is a certified athletic trainer with a doctorate degree in Movement Science. In this episode, we will discuss the positive impact of strength training on performance and well-being, misconceptions regarding strength training, and the importance of mobility. Tune...

In this episode, I will share the story of a pro triathlete who achieved a remarkable breakthrough in his swimming performance, transitioning from a second pack swimmer in triathlons to consistently making it to the front pack. How did he accomplish this feat? By making an important change in his training routine. Tune in now! 00:20 Triathlete Transforms Swim Performance 02:26 Going Hard and Recov...

Join us for a podcast episode with Taryn Richardson, where we explore the world of diet and nutrition for athletes. Discover the key principles to fueling your body for optimal performance and recovery. Get ready for eye-opening insights and practical tips that will revolutionize your training approach. Don't miss out on unlocking your full potential as an athlete. 01:18 The Importance of Protein...

Join me on a wild journey where I accidentally became the subject of a search party while swimming with friends in Melbourne. From helicopters to firetrucks, this rescue operation had it all. But it's not just a cold-water mishap; it's a story about finding answers right in front of us. Learn the lessons from this unforgettable experience and how they apply to our everyday struggles. 00:21 Swimmin...

Join us on this podcast episode with Andrew Sheaf, author of "A Constraints-Led Approach to Swim Coaching." Andrew shares valuable insights and strategies for swim coaches and swimmers. His systematic training and skill development approach helps swimmers achieve tangible results by avoiding the pitfall of abandoning techniques too quickly. This podcast is a must-listen for coaches and swimmers lo...

Join us today with Tom Barton, fresh from the US with Australia's A team! Tom is the founder of the Q Swim app and works as a physiotherapist at The Health Collab. He's your go-to expert for keeping swimmers and triathletes moving smoothly and injury-free. Today, we're focusing on how triathletes can step up their range of motion and overall movement. Don't miss out! 01:17 Trip to the US for a Swi...

I'm excited to introduce our guest today, the legendary triathlete Craig Alexander. He's a three-time world Ironman champion and a two-time Ironman 70.3 world champion. Craig shares insights on resilience, perseverance, and the importance of a supportive community. He also talks about how visualization helps in triathlon training and racing, along with a personal mantra that guided him throughout...

Get ready for an amazing Andy Donaldson episode! He's done something amazing: finished the Ocean 7 challenge faster than anyone ever has before. In just one year, he completed all seven swims in a total of 63 hours. And the best part? Andy's doing all of this to bring attention to mental health. We'll chat about the tough parts of those swims, how he tackled the tricky currents, and what lessons h...

Join me in this engaging episode as I chat with Sandra Schenkel, an elite duathlete from Spain who overcame swimming frustrations during the pandemic. We'll dive into her journey of making incredible progress through focused training and coaching. Discover how Sandra regained her swimming skills and achieved her best level ever. We'll also explore the significance of relaxation, breathing exercise...

Joining me today is Gerard Donnelly from Trivelo Coaching, an Australian champion and podcast host. His podcast is a go-to for triathletes seeking insights from his seasoned journey in the sport. We'll dive into life lessons from triathlon, smart training with technology, race focus, and the balance between short intense sessions and longer technique-focused ones. And, of course, get advice for th...

Today, we're thrilled to have triathlete Josh Salley sharing exciting updates on his technique and swimming breakthroughs. You can learn from his journey and find out the secret to his success. Get ready for an inspiring conversation! 02:33 Josh's Swansea Half Ironman Experience: Calmer and Faster! 07:21 Open Water vs. Pool Impact On Awareness? 10:32 Build Confidence In Open Water. Fear Fades With...

I'm excited to welcome Brent Hayden, a true legend, back to the podcast after nearly five years since our last conversation in 2018. A lot has changed since then, including his return to swimming and competing in the Tokyo Olympics. We'll also explore how he stays in shape during retirement, his coaching approach, and his thoughts on coaching through Skillest. Tune in now! 02:25 What was the origi...

Today, I'm excited to have Tom Hofnadel as my guest. Tom is a committed triathlete who is focused on improving his swimming in Ironman races. In this episode, we'll explore the benefits of video analysis and receiving feedback, as well as the technique changes he has made in the past few years to enhance his swimming. We'll also discuss how he keeps track of his progress over time. Tune in now! 03...

In this episode, I'll discuss CSS training to enhance your swimming's aerobic capacity, enabling you to maintain faster times over longer distances. We'll explore its definition, and application, and suggest effective sets to boost your aerobic capacity and overall performance. Tune in now! 01:32 Aerobic Capacity And Technique 04:02 What Is CSS Training?  05:36 How Frequently Should The CSS Test B...

In this episode, we delve into the concept of challenges and how they transform over time. Using my own experiences as a surfer and swimmer, I look back on the challenges I've encountered and how they've influenced my journey.  Tune in now! 00:17 Triumph and Mishap in the Waves 02:18  Ups and Downs: Progress and Challenges 03:21 Finding Joy in the Journey of Improvement 04:55 Next episode: Unlocki...

Today, I have the pleasure of chatting with Joe Friel, an exceptional endurance sports coach, renowned for his expertise in triathlon and cycling. Not only is Joe a highly respected coach, but he's also an accomplished author, having written multiple books, including his most popular work, the Triathlete's Training Bible. In this episode, we will discuss swimming techniques, including the PDLC met...

My guest today is Kyle Chalmers, an Olympic gold medalist and one of the world's top swimmers. I've featured him in some of my YouTube videos, highlighting his excellent freestyle technique. I'm excited to discuss his training and technique in depth. Tune in now! 01:47 After clinching the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, how did you experience changes in both your personal and professional life?...

My guest today is Seb Wichmann, who attended one of our clinics in 2022. He was averaging around a 2:05 to 2:10 per hundred and said he was happy to survive a 1K swim at the pool and has now got himself down to around a 1:45. Tune in to the episode now!  01:02 What challenges did you face transitioning from cycling to triathlon and swimming? 02:02 In the beginning, did you teach yourself or did yo...

My guest today is American swimmer Ryan Murphy, who has achieved incredible success in the Olympics Games, winning multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals. Ryan discusses how his motivation and training have evolved over the past decade, enabling him to stay competitive. We explore his unconventional beliefs, the obstacles he has overcome, including an injury before the Olympic trials, and the ri...

I'm excited to introduce my guest, Ben Geard, from Element Swimming. Ben and I go way back as great friends, and he was one of the coaches during the Maldives Camp last year. At Element Swimming, Ben offers lessons for beginners and helps swimmers progress from beginners to an intermediate level. That's what we will talk about today—strategies and techniques for individuals who are complete beginn...