Episodes
The final episode of Season 3 is with the Triple Crown and Original Triple Crown Swimmer, Martyn Webster. Martyn has completed numerous marathon swims over his illustrious time in the sport and is someone I am about to share a swimming holiday with in a matter of weeks... It was great to close the season chatting to someone who knows so much and had a plethora of knowledge to impart! Enjoy!
Published 03/25/23
Published 03/25/23
Today’s guest is one of the nicest guys you are ever likely to come across in the world of Marathon Swimming… a former top elite swimmer who ended up taking a little time away form the sport entirely; when he returned he embarked on his marathon swimming journey - he won the famous 25km Rottnest Swim in Australia, and then decided that he would aim to complete the famous Ocean 7 in one calendar year… for those who might not know, the Ocean7 is a set of seven ultra marathon swims across the...
Published 03/18/23
I have been wanting to record today’s guest for quite some time… about 18 months ago I developed a shoulder issue outside of the pool which prevented me from swimming. Having never had any issues with my shoulders before in the pool and also having booked Jersey Solo and English Channel Swim attempts, I needed to fix it properly. I found a place many a Sussex-based swimmer has found solace before and he is a bit of local legend in getting broken swimmers back into the water. He is himself a...
Published 03/11/23
My guest today is a former elite swimmer - having held Danish and Nordic Records in the pool and representing Denmark at various European and World championships over the years; but you may know him more from a new brand of goggle that is being seen more and more on pool-side: he launched The Magic 5 with his business partner a few years ago and they are going from strength to strength - a custom bespoke moulded goggle that fits your face and your face alone. It was my pleasure to welcome to...
Published 03/04/23
Episode 8 is with the super human Kate Steels. Kate is widely regarded as one of the toughest and most skilled side swimmers on the planet. She was the third person to complete the Ice Seven (an ice mile on all seven continents); she is also a Triple Crown Swimmer and was WOWSA Woman of the Year 2021, and nominated again in 2022... Kate has overcome a number of devastating significant challenges in her life and yet continues to be a trailblazer in the sport. It was a real privilege to have...
Published 02/25/23
I loved talking to today’s guest - she is an author, editor and podcaster. She co-hosts the "Postcards From Midlife" podcast and her first book 'Mum what's wrong with you: 101 things only the mothers of teenage girls know" was a Sunday Times top 10 best seller. She is a former editor of Cosmo, ELLE and Sunday Times Style and a mum of four children aged 10 to 19. She is currently writing a new book about the experiences of women in midlife… and she is an avid swimmer and cold water dipper; and...
Published 02/18/23
Today’s guest is a bit of a legend in the English Channel Swimming Community. A runner, who still professes that he isn’t a swimmer despite successfully crossing The English Channel (twice), Jersey to France, Round Jersey, Windermere and Lake Zurich among other significant swims… He also completed his first successful crossing of The English Channel on his seventh attempt: talk about perseverance!! He regularly gives talks about his swimming experiences to aspirational marathon swimmers… It...
Published 02/11/23
Episode 5 is with the incredibly inspirational Jessica Hepburn. This was such an awesome chat and I really don't want to give too much away on here. Jessica is an author ("In Pursuit of Motherhood" and "21 Miles") ... She is a Channel Swimmer and her swim story is a thing of beauty, that resonated with me on a very personal level. Enjoy!!
Published 02/04/23
Episode four of Season three is with the awesome Mark Sheridan. Mark came to outdoor swimming later in life and then proceeded to break the door down with his marathon swimming feats. Among his multitude of achievements he is one of only a few people to have completed the entire British Long Distance Swimming Association calendar; he is a triple crown swimmer (including three EC crossings) and he became the first British athlete to complete a 69 km crossing of Lake Geneva, taking 33 hours 6...
Published 01/28/23
I so enjoyed this talk with the legendary Steven Munatones: he has written about the sport since the 60’s and is one of the most influential people in the world of Open Water Swimming. He founded the World Open Water Swimming Association, the Oceans Seven and is a marathon swimmer, water polo player, commentator, race director, coach and recent winner of the annual SCAR race held in Arizona (more of that anon in the chat). He needs no introduction to anyone connected to the sport. It’s an...
Published 01/21/23
Episode Two of Season Three is with fellow podcaster and marathon swimmer Shannon Keegan. Shannon is the host of the awesome "Marathon Swim Stories" so it was terrific to be able to interview her as opposed to her asking all the questions! Shannon is also a swim coach and has completed a gruelling 22 hour lake swim... I hope you enjoy this one! Happy Swimming!
Published 01/14/23
Season 3 kicks off with the truly excellent Professor Greg Whyte O.B.E. Greg is a passionate OW Swimmer - having swam the length of the Thames: TWICE... He is a double Olympian; he won European bronze and World Championship silver medals, representing Great Britain in the Modern Pentathlon. He is a world renowned sport scientist and Physical Activity Expert and is a preeminent authority on Exercise Physiology and Sports and Exercise. I so enjoyed this chat and it was a fab way to kick start...
Published 01/07/23
Bonus Episode for the final time off the back of Season 2... I caught up with Sally to ask her about her recent historic Channel Swim, which means she has crossed the Channel in every decade of her life from teens to now (six); obviously including her historic double crossing in 2016. She is an utter inspiration and I was thrilled she was able to come on and share her experience - all for charity in memory of her dear late husband Charlie, please find the link to donate here:...
Published 08/27/22
Season 2 Bonus Episode!! I had the pleasure of speaking to Sally Minty-Gravett (M.B.E.), who this year is embarking on her sixth decade of solo Channel Swimming, having swam The English Channel in her previous five decades. She is the oldest person to have completed a double English channel solo, and has swam Catalina, Manhattan and much much more... she has a long list of swimming achievements, and was inducted into the Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame as a result. Enjoy!! Sally is swimming...
Published 05/28/22
It's the final episode of the season and what better way to close it than with one of the most well known marathon swimmers, Chloe McCardel. Chloe has swam The English Channel 44 times, surmounting Alison Streeter's record last year, in 2021 (those swims included a triple crossing and three double crossings!!) She also holds the record for the longest Ocean Swim at 124km in 42 hours, and is a total inspiration. It's Chloe McCardel!!
Published 03/19/22
Episode 11 of Season 2 is the one and only Thomas Lurz... a total hero of mine and I was honoured that I got to be able to speak to him. He has won a staggering 39 medals at Europeans / Worlds and Olympic Races. He is by far and away the most decorated Open Water Swimmer of all time, and certainly one of the most decorated swimmers of all time. We chat about not living in the past; the fact that every race starts at point zero and a fear of Catfish... Enjoy!!
Published 03/12/22
It's Episode 10 of Season 2, and I have the brilliant Caroline Saxon to share with you. She is a former GB swimmer turned GB Ice Swimmer... in fact, after we recorded this podcast she went to the Ice Swimming World Champs in Poland where she won medals and broke records. She has her own podcast "The Swimmer Tribe Podcast", where she may air this chat too. We talk about the Journey rather than the goal: "Becoming is better than Being", swimming being the glue that holds some relationships...
Published 03/05/22
Episode 9 of Season 2 is with the awesome Ray Gibbs of "Swim Canary Wharf" Fame... Ray set up his coaching facility in response to watching GB swimmers swim at his local club and the lack of really concise technique coaching available to swimmers - especially distance swimmers. As a swim coach he teaches a whole range of swimmers and top athletes, and also competes as a distance swimmer himself. We chat about never regretting a swim, how fear can help you . . . and also the Posidonia 10km...
Published 02/26/22
Episode 8 (S2) of An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast, with Will Ellis... today's guest is known as "The Adaptive Athlete", having lost full use of her legs in a cycling accident on her way to swim training as a triathlete. Not to be deterred, she began swimming again and recently completed a double Windermere crossing (similar distance to The English Channel). She also is a force advocating change in our sport to make Open Water abets more inclusive, and there are some important conversations...
Published 02/19/22
Episode 7 (Season 2) of "An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast" and it was a real treat to chat to everyone's favourite editor Jonny Cowie. We chat about Cold Water Swimming being a bit daft, getting your fix behind Dulwich Picture Gallery, Windermere in the winter and lots of other things... Loved this one: Enjoy!!
Published 02/12/22
Episode 6 (S2) of An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast; and it was my pleasure to chat to Alice Goodridge... Alice set up Swim Wild in 2018 as a way of sharing her passion for Open Water with those around her. She has tackled the English Channel and is quietly working her way through he cold lochs of the Scottish highlands, where she is now based. I loved this chat as Alice had so much passion for what she does which really shines through. Enjoy...!!
Published 02/05/22
Episode five of An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast and I was honoured to chat to former Navy Seal John Doolittle. John swam The English Channel in memory of his friend Neil Roberts who was the first Seal killed in combat after 911; John continues to raise money for fallen and injured servicemen and their families through swimming. We chat about all sorts on this one including shallow water blackouts, hammerhead breeding grounds and boxing Eagle Rays... a man who has been around the world many...
Published 01/29/22
Episode 4 (Season 2) of An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast... It was awesome to be able to fire the six questions at The Merthyr Mermaid, Cath Pendleton. This episode was recorded during full lockdown in February 2021 and hearing it back, the episode is full of hope that we might actually get to swim again... one day... Anyway, Cath has a Guinness World record for the furthest northerly swim inside The Antarctic Circle and is on her way to conquering the Ice Seven; which is an Ice Mile on all...
Published 01/22/22
It's Series 2 Episode 3 of "An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast" with me Will Ellis. I have a professional athlete for you today, and he answers quite beautifully the six questions; he raced on the FINA circuit for a number of years in the marathon 10km event and went to World Championships representing Ireland in that event for the first time. We chat about all sorts on this one, from having your own superpower to the temptations to swim The English Channel (and the temptation to do a fast...
Published 01/15/22