Ryan Wochomurka

Today a long awaited chat with the University of Houston head coach Ryan Wochomurka

Ryan is building something in Houston after being a part of the incredible development of the University of Louisville. We talk about his journey in coaching to get to this point, as well as the spirit that makes Houston such an exciting place to live and work.

From there we look to the future to see what he and his team are doing to, in their words, "elevate" the program, and the project we're working to make that a reality. Enjoy. 

Substance Abuse and Coaches Well-Being

Today two world's collide on the Swim Brief: Trever Gray (you know him from Nerd Alert) and Sarah Ehekircher- you know her because we have done a ton of podcasts together.

I'm bringing them both on so we can take a multifaceted look at substance abuse in the swimming world as well as coaches well-being. Sarah and I both noticed (and Sarah experienced) the connection between substance abuse and abusive behavior. Trever did a nice literature review to help, and ultimately we decided to make a three person pod to tackle the issue. Enjoy.

Chris, Sarah and Eva: The Senate Hearings

A few weeks back I teamed up for a podcast with Sarah Ehekircher and Eva Rodansky. This time, we got to talking about the Senate hearings with Olympic sports leaders.

Eva was there and a part of some pretty compelling events outside of the hearing. Sarah watched from home. We talk about whether there is true progress and momentum.

Just one note: this was recorded last Friday, and there is a discussion about the independence of Safe Sport vis-a-vis banning coaches that USA Swimming failed to ban. Later on in the day, Sean Hutchison was banned, which is an interesting test case for this. Although, Sean had already been very prominently exposed and USA Swimming has already admitted some wrongdoing in the way they handled the investigation, specifically with the termination of Susan Woessner.

Also we talked a bit about a rumor that Hutchison had fled the country. News reports quote his lawyers as saying he is still stateside.

Chris and Sarah (7)

Sarah Ehekircher joins me once again for a podcast about the overwhelming amount of things going on in the sport of swimming, and beyond. We talk about reporting, or lack thereof, on the recently added names to Safe Sport's publicly searchable database.

From there we jump to comment moderation, I go on a rant about Brent Rutemiller, and finally I make an appeal to all the people fired up about the WADA/RUSADA mess to team up.

A Year With Bridge Bats

We are coming up on the one year anniversary of when I met today's guest, Dirk Marshall. Since then, we've embarked on a project together to bring Positive Psychology education to the team that he co-owns and coaches, the Bridge Bats.

I talk to him about what he expected and then what has actually happened as we have gone through the year together. What has changed, what has stayed the same and how some of the experiences we’ve had together have helped both of us over the last year:

Take Me To the Clinic With Nico Messer

Today a podcast I promised earlier week with everybody's favorite Swiss Swim coach Nico Messer. Nico has been all around the US for the second year in a row and we talk about what he's learned on his trip, but also get in deep with some listener questions about swimming clinics and continuing education.

If you want to support this podcast and blogs, go here.

Chris, Sarah and Eva

Today a three person pod with both Sarah Ehekircher and Eva Rodansky.

Sarah you should know from my her numerous recent appearances. Eva is a new face- someone that Sarah and I both have started to get to know. She tells some of her story of coming up in the speed skating world when it was in the grips of the infamous Michael Crow.

We talk about the recent Sports Illustrated article that came out on the Lopez Brothers, as well as the recent resignation of Kerry Perry from gymnastics. Finally, we have advice for National Governing Bodies if they want to stop repeating the vicious cycle they are in. Enjoy. 

Here is a way to catch up with some of Eva's story.

After posting, Eva did want to let me and everyone else know that she endorses the "Darkness to Light" training that is also endorsed by Champion Women and Aly Raisman.

Nerd Alert: Supplements

Today I am joined once again by Trever Gray. Trever schools me on a topic that I don't that much about, but should know more: supplements.

We go through the Madisyn Cox case and talk about some of the reasons people take supplements, as well as some of the free resources that are out there for making more informed decisions.

If you want to support this podcast go here.

NutritionFacts.org

NSF for Sport

GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)

Consumer Labs

Gender Equity in the NCAA with Susan Teeter

Today on the Swim Brief I am joined Susan Teeter. Susan capped off a very successful career as coach of Princeton University a year ago, and since then she's been working with organizations big and small through her company S.S Teeter Associates

I wanted to talk to Susan specifically because of the report that was reported on last week, coming out of the University of Minnesota's Tucker Center that gave NCAA Swimming an "F" grade for gender equity. We both noticed the way the conversation was going online and wanted to see if we could steer it in a better direction. Enjoy.

Three new patrons signed up this past week for my Patreon account, thank you to them!  If you want to join the cause go here.

Telling The Truth with Sarah Ehekircher

Today on the Swim Brief I am joined once again by Sarah Ehekircher. We talk all things related to the abuse in sports, hitting some of the big topics that have been in the news these past few weeks.

Just a preface before you listen- Sarah is someone that I met several months ago. She was sexually abused by her swim coach and I really value having her voice on this podcast. If we're ever going to truly move forward with this problem, I think we need to continue listening to people like Sarah. 

Support the blog and podcast here!

Read Diana Moskovitz excellent piece at deadspin here.