Off The Blocks Swimming Podcast

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 103 - Interview with Wayne Goldsmith

This week Shannon and I sit down with Author, Coach Mentor and Inspiring guest speaker Wayne Goldsmith. Wayne is the founder of MoreGold Peak Performance Consulting and has been involved in the swimming industry now for 35 years learning from some of the legendary coaches of Australia.

Shannon and Wayne discuss stories of Gennadi Touretski and Alex Popov,  Bill Sweetenham, the art of coaching and the importance of progressing as a coach and moving with the times.

We discuss the alarming stats that came out this week around School carnivals here in Australia at the moment with 50% of year 6 students not knowing how to swim, as well as coaching as a profession and do we have a problem attracting you aspiring coaches to our sport and industry.

All that and a whole lot more, Wayne picks song of the week and you don't want to miss it.

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 102 - Top 10 Greatest Australian Swimmers of ALL Time w/David Clark

Our swimming stats guru David Clark is back this week as we go through the top 10 Aussie swimmers of all time based of David's extensive data and statistics.

From 10 down to 1 we go through some of the biggest names in Australian sporting history, as David gives us some great stories and facts about each of our Aussie legends.

We see what AI thinks of our list, David gives us some stories from his time in Paris for last years Olympic Games, as well as song of the week and plenty more.

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 101 - City vs Country

Back again for another week of the podcast and this week we are talking City vs Country Teams. Would it work as a concept? And we discuss the contribution country clubs and programs have made to the Australian team over many years.

We read out a listeners email, and discuss the importance of knowing you've worked hard and can be proud of yourself.

We talk cyclones, retired swimmers, song of the week and a whole lot more

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 100 - TOP 10 Greatest Swimmers of ALL Time List

They said we wouldn't make it, but we are here this week as The Shannon Rollason Podcast records it's 100th episode.

To mark the special occasion we have enlisted the help of podcast favourite and one of Australia's best coaches Justin Rothwell to help us go through the Top 10 Greatest swimmers of ALL time as per an article that Shannon stumbled across recently. The list is up to November 2023, so excluding some of our current superstars.

From 10 to 1, we go through the very best, and have some healthy discussions around how the list could look a little differently if we put ours together.

Set of the week is back and of course song of the week. Great episode to bring up 100

Thanks to all of our listeners for sticking with us and making 100 episodes possible

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 99 - 25 Years On From Sydney (What's Different)

This week on the podcast we go back 25 years to 2000 and compare the coaching, the athletes and so much more to the now in 2025.

What has changed?

What has stayed the same?

We look at interesting trivia from the year 2000, as well as set of the week and your favourite, song of the week.

 

All that and a whole lot more

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 98 - With Kirsten Thomson

This week on the podcast we are joined by special guest, Olympian from Sydney 2000 and CEO of NSW Swimming Kirsten Thomson.

In this podcast we discuss Kirsten's amazing swimming career and her Olympic experience, as well as challenges she faced in the pool along the way.

We discuss her transition out of the pool and her decision to become CEO of NSW Swimming.

We talk about what she's proud of so far, what we can all do better, keeping coaches in the sport and a whole lot more.

Kirsten also takes the wheel for Set of the week, Quote of the week and Song of the week, it's a great chat with an amazing leader in our sport. Don't miss it

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 97 - We Are Sorry

This week on the podcast Shannon and I apologies to our loyal listeners for not getting all of our facts right on the topics we discuss, as we are inundated with correction messages from the previous weeks podcast.

Shannon learns what Chat GPT and DM stands for, as well as his Beef of the week and no its not just with his cockatoos outside ruining his tree lol

Set of the week is back, we read out one of our listeners DMs with an interesting story to go with it and Chat GPT gives us the top 5 toughest races to do on a swimming program.

Song of the week and plenty of laughs 

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 96 - Process v Outcome Mindset

Shannon is back for another week and we are discussing Process v Outcome mindset and how important it is for our athletes to stop chasing PBs.

We discuss Australian Open Water results from Busselton and give flowers to the clubs and athletes that performed well in WA last week.

Thanks to the help of one of our loyal listeners we finish our 10 Australia coaches currently on deck in Australia who have Olympic games experience.

Set of the week returns, song of the week as always and so much more

 

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 95 - Hello 2025, We're Back

Back and ready to go The Shannon Rollason Podcast returns for 2025 and get straight back into the big topics around Australian Swimming right now.

We discuss Michael Bohl's big move to China, we get Shannons thoughts and what Australian Swimming needs to do to make sure we are keeping our top coaches.

We talk about the massive Channel 9 deal Swimming Australia have signed making 9 the home of swimming until 2034.

New Years resolutions, Australian Open Water Champs in Busselton, Shayna Jack in the Jungle and of course song of the week is back for 2025

Off The Blocks -REWIND with Stephan Widmar Part 2

On 15/04/2022 We were fortunate enough to sit down with 4 time Australian coach of the year, and one of the best in the business Stephan Widmer, this is part 2 of our chat.

In this part two podcast Stephan talks to us about some of the amazing swimmers he has had the pleasure of working with like Libby Trickett, Christian Sprenger, Melanie Schlanger and Jess Schipper among many others.

We also get into his time with Swimming Queensland and helping mentor coaches, as well as many other great pieces of advice from one of the sharpest minds in the swimming business.

Don't miss our awesome part two chat with Stephan Widmer

Off The Blocks - REWIND with Stephan Widmar Part 1

On 15/04/2022 we had chat with 4 time Australian coach of the year, and one of the best in the business Stephan Widmer.

In this part one podcast Stephan talks to us about last years Tokyo 2020 Olympic games and how he saw the swimming in the pool, as well as Joseph Schoolings performance following his Gold medal in 2016.

We go through his early days in Switzerland as a swimmer and then transitioning into a coach and how his thirst for knowledge and competitive nature lead him to Australia in 1997, and the rest they say is history. We discuss his early days learning from Scott Volkers and other legendary Australian coaches upon his arrival.

We talk coaching philosophies as well his thoughts on Australian swimming when he arrived, and his thoughts on it today in 2022. Stephan also gives us a great insight into his thoughts on training speed in Freestyle, his training sets and programs as well as what he looks for technically.

Don't miss part one of my chat with one of the sharpest coaching minds in the world of swimming and a man with so much knowledge and experience that we don't hear enough from these days.

Off The Blocks - REWIND with Gregg Troy

On 17/08/2020 we had a chat with one of the greatest swimming coaches of all time, a man who has mentored over 68 Olympians during his career so far, the one and only coach Gregg Troy.

While we take a break through the holidays, we thought it was a great time to look back and listen to one of the great coaching minds we have had the fortune of having on the podcast. Even if you heard it the first time i guarantee you will learn something again today.

In this podcast we discuss Gregg's keys to being ready for next years Olympics, his early days in coaching and lesson's he learnt, his work with Ryan Lochte, Elizabeth Beisel and Caeleb Dressell, as well as many discussions around programming and mentoring athletes to be the best they can be. So many words of wisdom in one podcast you will want to have your pen and paper ready.

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 94 - REWIND Sprint Freestyle

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of our listeners, and while Shannon and I are spending some time with family, we thought it was a good time to revisit our episode on Sprint Freestyle from our early days.

Shannon takes us through his thoughts on developing Sprint Freestylers within your program, and transitioning their talent and potential through to open level, as he did with Jodie Henry and Alice Mills in the early 2000s

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 93 - Santa Brought Us World Records

Shannon is back after a BIG week at NSW State Age Champs and there is plenty to talk about including the 30 World Records we saw tumble at Short Course World Champs.

We get into Jordan Crooks 19.90 and re watch the incredible swim, as well as discuss Gretchen Walsh and her amazing 9 World Records. We go through the Aussies performances as well and who Shannon thought stood out from the Green and Gold.

We talk State Champs as well, and the importance of the point score. 

Christmas sets, song of the week, stolen bikes and a whole lot more

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 92 - REWIND with Steven Tigg

With NSW Sate Age Champs on this week, Shannon is busy supporting his athletes on pool deck so we thought it would be a great chance to go back in time and revisit his one on one chat with newly appointed Head Coach of Aquatics GB Steven Tigg.

In this chat you will get many take always from both Steven and Shannon as they discuss their successes as coaches and the learning opportunities that lead them to their success.

With so much knowledge in one podcast we had to put it back out again 2 years later for fresh ears to enjoy.

 

See you all next week

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 91 - Japan Success For NSW

Shannon is back fresh from Japan with plenty to chat about including the Blues success in Tokyo, NSW State Age coming up and plenty more

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 90 - Special Guest Host Cam Gledhill-St Peters Western

With Shannon away for another week in Japan with the NSW Team it's time for another special guest host and this week it is non other than St Peters Western Age Group Head Coach Cam Gledhill.

In this podcast Cam and I give our flowers to the retiring Aussie swimming legend Emma McKeon, and talk about what Female Aussie sprinting looks like over the next 4 years leading into LA 2028.

Cam gives us some insights into what he has learned working up at St Peters Western with the best in the business Dean Boxall, but also the amazing coaching team they have around them. We talk transitioning from Age group swimming to Opens, and the successful way it was achieved with Jaclyn Barclay making her first Olympic team for Paris.

No medal presentations at NSW State Age Champs?

Set of the week, Quote of the week and of course song of the week are all hear again this week with Cam's twist and story for each.

Another great episode from a coach who is one of the sharpest minds on pool deck, dont miss it

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 89 - Special Guest Host Justin Rothwell - Manly Swim Club

With Shannon off to Japan with the NSW team, this week we have a special guest host helping fill his chair and it's none other than one of NSW and Australia's best coaches, and Manly Head Coach Justin Rothwell.

In this podcast we discuss his success at Manly Swim Club, as well as his own history with Shannon and working with him over the years.

We discuss successful team culture and Justin gives us his thoughts on the fundamental of how to build them within your club and team.

Set of the week, Quote of the week and of course song of the week are all back again with a Justin Rothwell twist to them, so don't miss this great episode with one of the best on deck

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 88 - The Standards You Walk Past

This week on the Podcast we discuss more coaching movement with Peter Bishop heading over to the Netherlands, as well as the who is the new coach of Belgium swimming.

We discuss standards within your team, on the back of the NRLs West Tigers handing breach notices to 5 players who have not been complying to the standards set and agreed upon.

Shannon gives us his take and why it's best to move people on if they don't uphold your team standard and culture.

Song of the week, Set of the week and a new Quote of the week. All that and more, don't miss it

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 87 - Quotes For The Whiteboard

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 87 - Quotes For The Whiteboard

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 86 - Aussie Smashing It At World Cups

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 85 - NSW Heading to Japan

This week on the podcast, Shannon and I discuss the big news that NSW Swimming is sending a team over to race in Japan for the first time in 5 years. Here Shannon's thoughts, and how this all came about.

We also discuss the World Cups and the first stop in Shanghai, how much did the swimmers make and what was the competition like in the pool.

Shannon's set of the week is back, and it's not what you may think

Song of the week and a whole lot more

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 84 - Should Elite Swimmers Pay For Their Own Support Staff?

Welcome back to the Shannon Rollason Podcast for another week.

This week with prize money in swimming going up and the upcoming World Cups having up to 1 Million USD up for grabs, should elite Aussie swimmers be paying for their own support staff, much the same as Golfers or Tennis players have to? It's a great topic of conversation and one that I'm sure will have divided opinions.

Shannon also takes us through his Sprint Set of the week, and discusses the reasons behind it and how it can be progressed as the season moves forward.

We talk about the news that Zac Stubblety Cook will be moving down to train with Mel Marshal in the new year, and why this is a good move for Zac at this stage of his career.

All that and a whole lot more, of course song of the week as well. Don't Miss it

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 83 - International Coaches in Australia

Back from holidays and ready to go, Shannon and i get stuck into 2024 Australian Short Course Champs. 

How did his team go?, what did he learn from the week? And of course we discuss Kaylee's amazing World Record in the Women's 100m Backstroke.

We discuss the influx of international coaches to Australia in the lead up to 2032, and what's positive about it and what are some of the potential negative impacts that come with it as well. 

We talk about Shannon's holiday, song of the week and a whole lot more

 

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 82 - REWIND with David Marsh

This week while Shannon is enjoying is well earned week off tasting wine in Adelaide after another successful Australia Short Course Champs, we look back and revisit a great chat Shannon and I had back in 2022 with International Swimming Hall Of Famer and one of USA best ever coaches David Marsh.

Shannon and David discuss his recent success with the Men's Cal Bears team at the NCAA's, as well as their take on what makes USA swimming the powerhouse that it is. David gives us his favourite swimmers of all time to watch as a fan of the sport, as well as his top tips when it comes to Sprint Freestyle, Breaststroke and Tapers. 

David speaks to us about what continues to drive him as a coach and mentor as someone who has coached over 50 Olympians during his hall of fame career. We also discuss emotional control as a coach and how important it is during a big week of racing at big meets.

Shannon and David continue to talk on a range of topics, and it's a must for all coaches and fans of our sport as these two legendary coaches bring the knowledge and experience. DONT MISS THIS ONE