We Need More of This

When you work in any profession, you really get shaped by the people you meet and the relationships you form. This week, I'm making up for the fact that I coached in the same conference as our podcast guest, and yet I didn't get to know her.

Christen Schefchunas was an NCAA swim coach for many years, culminating with a run at University of Miami. As you'll hear, she reached a major turning point at Miami, one that ultimately led her to go beyond coaching just one team. I called her because I've been following what she's been doing, and I think she has a really important message that, frankly, we need more of:

You can find out more about Christen and her work at her website.

Rise, Fall and Rise

Eric Kramer currently coaches the Saskatoon Lasers in Saskatchewan, which I'm told is a real place in a real country (Canada).

Eric's coaching story really hooked me in. We talk about how he had international success with a swimmer very early in his coaching career and how that affected him in ways both good and bad.

We talk about the pivotal moment he had looking into the eyes of his swimmers, and there's a lot of learning and honesty along the journey. Enjoy:

Jeff Of All Trades

Today's conversation is with a very unique Canadian gentlemen, Jeff Grace. Jeff, well, Jeff has done a lot of things in swimming and continues to do so. He's a fellow writer, and we talk about how he got into writing about swimming. We also talk about how open he has been about his own mental illness and advocating for others.

For more information about Jeff and all the work he does: 

Mental Health for Athletes:

https://swimswam.com/?s=mental+health+for+athletes

Yoga and Meditation Classes for Mental Health

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_CMQtiKnX8K9pQQJF2yuzJZra1nOiNcP

Eliza's Website

https://www.elizajanewellness.com/

Stand-Up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcbjztZo8Kg

Swimming Specific Yoga

https://www.swimmingspecificyoga.com

Excel with Grace Sport-Specific Yoga

https://www.excelwithgrace.com

The Unicorn

Today's conversation takes us to somebody that I have been a fan of from afar for many years: Janelle Atkinson. Janelle is currently the head coach of the recently restarted program at Stony Brook.

Janelle talks me through her life story, from her early days in Jamaica, to the decision to come over to America for high school and college, and paying her dues in the coaching ranks. We also talk about some of the challenges and frustrations that come with being a person of color and a single mom in high level college athletics, and how she's overcome that. Enjoy.

The podcast was also sponsored this week by Swimnerd Pace Clocks. Check them out. 

Mental Health Deep Dive

This week I talk with someone who's doing some work that I really admire, and I wanted to hear more about it. Emily Klueh is a former national teamer who has gone into the field of mental health and sports performance at the University of Michigan and the attached USA Swimming team, Club Wolverine.

I dig deep on the kind of innovative work she's doing both with college students and younger kids, how to navigate some of this stuff as a coach and even some of the Positive Psychology she is incorporating. I recorded this podcast with Emily right before the holiday season. Enjoy.

The Virginia Whirlwind

This week a guest I have gotten a lot of requests for: new University of Virginia Head Coach Todd DeSorbo. We talk about the whirlwind he has been on since August, and I try to figure out just how he turns teams around fast.

We also talk about making the leap from an elevated assistant coaching role to head coaching and some of the intrinsic strengths of Virginia. Enjoy.

Craig Lord Part 2: Suits, Blazers and Short Course

On part two with Craig Lord, we continue our conversation from the first part. We discuss the European Short Course meet in Copenhagen and branch into a broader conversation about the the institutions that surround our sport.

I tried (and mostly failed) to find some points of disagreement, including former British Para coach Rob Greenwood's dismissal and yes, THE SUITS.  Enjoy and listen to part 1 if you haven't already.

Craig Lord on Swimming Governance and Journalism

Craig Lord is the preeminent journalist in the sport of swimming. He has been writing about swimming since 1989, attending countless major international championship meets, speaking out doping in the sport from the very beginning, and generally being unafraid to speak his mind.  Craig is currently the editor and writer for Swimvortex. He also writes for the Times of London and the Sunday Times.

We talked for so long that I had to split the podcast into two parts. In part one, Craig and I dive right in to discuss how he came to be a "swimming" journalist as well as what he's seen change over the course of his career covering swimming from the media side. Then we turn to discuss the IOC's recent decision to ban Russia from the Winter Games and what the state of governance at all levels that affect swimming. Enjoy and watch for part 2 this upcoming Friday.

Relentless Optimism

On the brief this week, we're talking to the guy who is relentless about two things: that #workworks and a general positivity about swimming: Mike Murray. Mike talks all about his swimming roots, including some harsh reflections on himself as an athlete. We talk about sharing what you learn online and I even ask Mike to coach me a little bit.

You can follow Mike on twitter, as well as facebook where he's an administrator for the Swim Coaches Idea Exchange Group.

Giving Thanks for Short Intervals

Putting out the podcast early this week for everybody traveling. This week's guest is Nico Messer. Nico and I talked about longer interval training a few weeks back.

Today we tackle shorter intervals and all the stuff associated with it, whether it's speed work or USRPT.

We also discuss Nico's Thanksgiving plans, how to avoid talking politics with your right wing uncle (Jay Chambers) and how rec swimmers in Switzerland react to a few seconds delay. Also enjoy a cameo from my landlord and a plumber trying to fix the heat in my apartment.