328 episodes

Faster times and better technique aren't a guarantee when you train hard. What really makes a difference to your speed and efficiency in the water? The Effortless Swimming podcast helps make a complex sport really simple to better your swimming. We cover open water swimming, triathlon swimming and pool swimming. Hosted by Australian National swimmer and coach Brenton Ford.

The Effortless Swimming Podcast Brenton Ford

    • Sports
    • 4.6 • 68 Ratings

Faster times and better technique aren't a guarantee when you train hard. What really makes a difference to your speed and efficiency in the water? The Effortless Swimming podcast helps make a complex sport really simple to better your swimming. We cover open water swimming, triathlon swimming and pool swimming. Hosted by Australian National swimmer and coach Brenton Ford.

    #326 : Why Swimmers Get Shoulder Injuries (And What To Do About It) with Hollie Buerckner

    #326 : Why Swimmers Get Shoulder Injuries (And What To Do About It) with Hollie Buerckner

    Hollie Buerckner, an osteopath and swimmer, shares tips on preventing and rehabilitating shoulder injuries in a podcast episode. She suggests specific exercises to address shoulder issues and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between strength and mobility. Tune in to learn more.
    00:00 Introduction
    02:38 Understanding Shoulder Injuries in Swimmers
    03:25 Four Causes of Shoulder Pain in Swimmers
    05:13 Relationship Between Shoulder Pain and Range of Motion
    09:51 Effective Shoulder Exercises for Swimmers
    14:36 Common Mistakes Leading to Shoulder Pain in Swimmers
    18:02 YTA Exercise for Scapular Strength
    20:06 High Intensity vs. High Volume Training
    22;34 Importance of Addressing Shoulder Pain Early
    24:32 Balancing Mobility and Strength Training for Busy Athletes
    27:42 The Stubbornness of Swimmers in Dealing with Pain
    29:44 Motivation to Take Care of the Body
    35:11 Get in touch with Hollie!

    • 35 min
    #325 : How I Slashed My 100m Freestyle Time to 1:06 with Jay Mueller

    #325 : How I Slashed My 100m Freestyle Time to 1:06 with Jay Mueller

    In this podcast episode, we hear from Jay Mueller, an emergency doctor who started swimming 16 months ago after injuries led him to take up the sport, as he could no longer run or ride. When Jay first started, he was averaging 2:15-2:30/100m and finding he was exhausted after a few hundred meters. Fast forward to today, where he is consistently swimming between 1:20-1:30 in training, with a personal best of 1:06 in the 100m freestyle. Tune in to learn about his transformation and the lessons he has learned along the way.
    00:00 Introduction and Background
    4:21 Initial Pace and Improvement
    7:21 From Fast Swims to Sustainable Laps
    9:38 The Science Behind Shoulder Pain Relief through Static Hangs
    15:27 Improving Rotation and Reach
    18:22 Strategies for Maintaining Buoyancy and Momentum in the Water
    23:15 The Challenges of Learning a New Skill
    28:28 Importance of Body Awareness in Swimming Technique
    34:09 Drills for Technique Improvement
    37:47 Impressive Swimming Progress in a Short Time
    38:34 Being Patient and Kind to Yourself

    • 43 min
    #324 : Breathing, Body Position & Balance with Frank Sole

    #324 : Breathing, Body Position & Balance with Frank Sole

    In today's episode, we dive into a conversation with Frank Sole, the author of 'The Five "B" Method to a Successful Triathlon Swim.' We discuss Frank's evolution as a coach since writing the book, his key lessons for new athletes, and the importance of terminology in training and team dynamics. Frank also shares insights on leveraging breathing techniques for improved performance in the water, drawing from his training with a world-renowned expert. Tune in now!
    00:00 Introduction
    02:01 Challenges and Rewards of Coaching Retired Athletes
    05:47 Elevating Your Swimming Sessions
    09:59 Empowering Athletes Through Coaching: Building Trust and Value
    16:04 The Science and Art of Mental Strength in Sports
    20:21 Overcoming Setbacks and Staying Committed to Swim Training
    22:21 The Power of Developing Good Habits
    25:42 Breath Control and Body Position
    30:33 Breath Work for Athletes: Building Lung Capacity and Endurance
    36:47 Back to Basics: The Fundamental Role of Breathing in Coaching
    43:09 Enhancing Swimming Skills through Play and Exploration
    46:46 Swimming Without a Watch: Embracing the Feel of the Water
    51:12 Embracing the Suck and Enjoying the Journey
    55:40 Finding Creative Ways to Convey Instructions to Athletes
    57:47 Celebrating Progress: Recognizing Improvements in Swimming
    1: 01:11 Lessons Learned from Coaching Older Athletes
    1:02:47 Get in touch with Frank Sole!

    • 1 hr 3 min
    #323 : Olympic Gold, 110km In A Week & Why You Should Never Stop Learning with Sharon Van Rouwendaal

    #323 : Olympic Gold, 110km In A Week & Why You Should Never Stop Learning with Sharon Van Rouwendaal

    Join us in today's episode as we interview one of the best open water swimmers in the world, Sharon van Rouwendaal. We will delve into her recent double win at the world championships, her intense training regimen, and the mental fortitude that drives her success. She will be sharing insights on her transition from pool to open water swimming, managing injuries, and the importance of technique and kick in her training. Uncover Sharon's unwavering commitment to greatness, and her relentless pursuit of improvement. Tune in now!
    01:41 The Double Win
    05:56 The 110 Kilometer Week
    08:23 Building Mental Toughness and Confidence
    11:16 Training Environment and Culture
    14:10 Understanding Open Water Racing
    16:35 Transitioning from Pool to Open Water
    18:35 Overcoming Shoulder Injury
    22:11 Mastering the 6-beat kick
    24:54 Learning from a New Coach
    26:04 Coaching Others and Sharing Knowledge
    30:46 Effective Communication in Coaching: Simplifying Techniques
    32:56 5 Different Levels of Speed and Heart Rate Zones
    37:34 Challenging Sets and Progression in Swim Training
    41:10 Analyzing Training Sets and Building Confidence
    44:05 Managing Training Load and Sleep
    49:07 Challenges of Transitioning from Running to Swimming
    50:34 Exploring Hobbies Beyond Sports
    52:52 What's next for Sharon?

    • 56 min
    #322 : Choosing Your Suffering: How Anyone Can Become Mentally Tough with James 'Iron Cowboy' Lawrence

    #322 : Choosing Your Suffering: How Anyone Can Become Mentally Tough with James 'Iron Cowboy' Lawrence

    James ‘Iron Cowboy’ Lawrence is best known for his world record attempts at completing multiple Ironman events over consecutive days. Firstly, in 2015, he successfully completed 50 Ironmans in 50 days in 50 US states. Then in 2021, he decided to double this and complete 100 Ironmans in 100 days, going on to do this and one more to finish 101. The documentary on this challenge is coming out in March 2024. James is also a public speaker who was given the gift to 'suffer' and now helps provide hope to others and teach mental toughness through voluntary suffering. This episode is not to be missed.
    00:00 Introduction
    03:21 The Good, the Bad, and the Funny Moments
    10:19 Lessons Learned in 50 Ironmans and Conquer 100
    14:20 Pushing Limits and Ignoring Pain
    15:52 Building Mental Toughness and Resilience
    19:13 Mindfulness: Cultivating Inner Peace Amidst Distractions
    21:15 How Disconnecting Can Improve Your Mental Health
    23:22 Finding Mental Clarity Through Physical Activity
    26:25 The Impact of Community and Shared Experiences
    34:43 Embracing Difficulties: The Path to Growth and Wisdom
    38:22 The Power of Physical Activity and Discomfort
    39:48 The Motivation Behind the 50 and 100 Challenges
    44:25 The Importance of Hope and Giving Back
    47:07 Living Unapologetically and Without Fear of Judgment
    50:16 Prioritizing Family Over Others' Opinions
    51:55 What's next for James?

    • 53 min
    #321 : Strategies To Become A 'Front Pack' Swimmer with Mitch Kibby

    #321 : Strategies To Become A 'Front Pack' Swimmer with Mitch Kibby

    In today's podcast episode, professional triathlete and coach Mitch Kibby shares his journey from having little swimming background as a child to becoming a front pack swimmer in the pro field. He is the head coach and founder of i4 Coaching and has worked with Effortless Swimming at our clinics and camps. Mitch discusses his strategies for improving swimming performance and offers valuable insights and tips for swimmers and triathletes looking to improve their skills. Tune in now!
    00:00 Introduction
    02:39 Swimming Background
    07:51 Long Journey to Success
    11:01 Lessons Learned from Early Days of Training
    16:55 Refining Coaching Cues
    17:51 Tips from Elite Triathletes
    23:36 Front End Speed Training
    27:55 The Power of Training in Challenging Environments
    29:22 Shorter Sets, Greater Gains
    34:12 Improving Performance through Specific Training
    36:15 The Value of Training Partners and Squad Training
    39:12 The Hardest and Best Things About Being a Pro Triathlete
    42:23 The Benefits of a Flexible Lifestyle
    44:00 Transforming Negative Self-Talk into Positive Motivation
    49:04 Maintaining Emotional Stability and Setting Realistic Goals
    52:06 What's next for Mitch Kibby?

    • 55 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
68 Ratings

68 Ratings

LydiaTexas ,

Tips on technique, training, interviews with cool people

One of my favorite podcasts, love interviews with all kinds of swimmers, from Olympians to folks teaching adults to swim for the first time! I also get a lot of tips on technique and training from this podcast—also recommend checking out videos from the host.

kurtcobaincrush ,

A great swim podcast

I love the variety of topics Brenton covers. He features real swimming stars, coaches and the regular average swimmer. The mix of speakers is always fabulous and I learn or/and get inspired to do more. As a coach, I often refer my swimmers to Brenton’s site for more information.

jobu26 ,

Awesome

Great consistent message to focus on improving yourself.

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