Off The Blocks Swimming Podcast

2021 Off The Blocks Swimming Awards Ep 40

Season 4 Ep 40, Welcome to the 2021 Off The Blocks Swimming Awards

Today we celebrate an amazing year of swimming not just here in Australia but from around the world, from the success of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, to some of the individual performances from our superstars this year it has been a year like no other and what better what to recap and pay tribute than with an awards show.

Joining me to help announce the award winners are OTB Crew stars Lani Pallister and Lachlan Carter along with special guest, Tokyo Gold medallist Meg Harris. The star of the Shannon Rollason Podcast, Shannon Rollason comes on to help announce some awards among them, coach of the year. And Off The Blocks Expert Analyst Bobby Hurley also joins the awards to help announce the inaugural Off The Blocks Swimmer of the year.

A great way to finish season 4 of the podcast, i hope you all enjoy it. 

 

See you in season 5

Off The Blocks with Emma McKeon Ep 39

Season 4 Ep 39, we are finishing season 4 with a bang as our last interview for the season is with the greatest ever female athlete from an Olympic games, Australian and London Roar superstar Emma McKeon

In this chat we get a tremendous insight into Emma's training and mindset leading up to Tokyo 2020, including her work with coach and mentor Michael Bohl. Emma tells us some of the things she focused on in preparation for the games both in and out of the pool.

We go through her historic week in Tokyo including all the highlights with relay and individual success, and of course the break through moment of her win in the 100M Freestyle winning her first individual Olympic gold medal for Australia.

We also talk a bit of ISL Season 3 and her team the London Roar, as well as have some fun with some google questions at the end.

Hold onto your hats ladies and gentlemen as this interview was recorded while Emma was on a boat sailing to Malta, nothing like a bit of rough sea's, and a brilliant chat with a 7 time Olympic medallist from Tokyo 2020 to anchor us home

Off The Blocks with Sydney Pickrem Ep 38

Season 4 Ep 38, we sit down and chat with two time Olympian and Olympic medallist for Canada Sydney Pickrem.

In this podcast Sydney and i go through all things ISL and the team she captains London Roar. We discuss what she loves about the Roar team in particular her teammates and racing for them. We even ask if she would change any of the rules in ISL if she was boss for the day, and ask her her prediction of who will be Season 3 champions, spoiler alert its London Roar all the way.

Sydney and i also delve into the last 18months of training and competition and the ups and downs that come with being an elite swimmer. Some of the struggles she has been through, and of course the amazing moment of being on the podium with her Canadian teammates in Tokyo following the Women's 4x100 Medley relay.

A great chat, with an awesome person and one you will not want to miss

 

NEW MERCH ALERT - Our brand new OTB Crew shirts have arrived, click the link below to purchase your original OTB Crew T today and become a part of the Crew

https://www.offtheblocksswimmingacademy.com/otb-crew-merchandise/p/style-01-wll4k

 

Off The Blocks with Josh Collett Ep 37

Season 4 Ep 37, we chat with NSW and Australian swimming rising star Josh Collett.

In this podcast we chat with the young Knox Pymble speedster about his recent training and competing up in QLD due to lockdowns in Sydney. We discuss Josh's coach Dobbo and how much he has helped his swimming both physically and mentally. Josh gives us an insight into what makes Knox Pymble so successful as a club.

We also get into his very successful 2021 Australian Age Champs on the Gold Coast this year, and how much he enjoyed racing again after 2020 being called off. We also touch on his experience at this years Olympic trials in Adelaide where he made the finals in the Men's 200 IM, what lessons did he take away?

All that and a whole lot more.

 

NEW MERCH ALERT - Our brand new OTB Crew shirts have arrived, click the link below to purchase your original OTB Crew T today and become a part of the Crew

https://www.offtheblocksswimmingacademy.com/otb-crew-merchandise/p/style-01-wll4k

 

 

Off The Blocks with Robert Thorpe Ep 36

Season 4 Ep 36, we chat with Junior Australian Team member, multiple Australian Age Medallist and St Peters Western rising star Robert Thorpe.

In this chat we discuss his move to QLD and the St Peters program coming from NSW. Being selected on the Junior Australian team this year and how hard he had worked to put himself on the list.

Open water racing as well as distance swimming in the pool, and what goals he has set himself for the future.

We also go through his amazing 2021 Australian Age Championships results from the Gold Coast and things that he is working on to be an even stronger competitor in the coming years.

Great chat, with a young swimmer who has a lot of potential for Australian Swimming in the future

 

NEW MERCH ALERT - Our brand new OTB Crew shirts have arrived, click the link below to purchase your original OTB Crew T today and become a part of the Crew

https://www.offtheblocksswimmingacademy.com/otb-crew-merchandise/p/style-01-wll4k

ISL Season 3 Chat with Bobby Hurley (Death Match Review)

Expert Analyst Bobby Hurley and I cover all things Season 3 of the ISL this week including the Death Match which saw DC Tridents, NY Breakers, Iron and Tokyo Frog Kings all racing for a spot in the playoffs come November.

We also discuss Aussie breakout star Brendon Smith and how his stocks have continued to rise following his Olympic medal in Tokyo, as well as whether Brett Hawke is right and swimmers are lacking character these days and the ability to get viewers to want to watch the ISL product.

We talk about how good it is for Aussie swimmers to be getting racing experience overseas right now, reminiscent of the Mare Nostrum tours from back in the day

And we even give our NRL grand final winner predictions between Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs

 

Don't miss it

Off The Blocks with Gary Hollywood Ep 35

Season 4 Ep 35, we chat with New Zealand Olympic and World Championship medallist coach Gary Hollywood.

In this awesome podcast we chat to Gary about his amazing Tokyo Olympic experience with the NZ team and his superstar athlete Lewis Clareburt. Gary tells us what an enjoyable experience the games were for him and what lessons he took away.

We also discuss Polyvagel, what it means and how it has been helping Gary become a better coach and what advice he has for other coaches out there who are interested in it.

We talk about his home club Capital Swim Club and the team culture there, and a whole lot more

 

NEW MERCH ALERT - Our brand new OTB Crew shirts have arrived, click the link below to purchase your original OTB Crew T today and become a part of the Crew

https://www.offtheblocksswimmingacademy.com/otb-crew-merchandise/p/style-01-wll4k

Off The Blocks with Kyle Chalmers Ep 34

Season 4 Ep 34, We chat with duel Olympian, 3 time Olympic Medallist for Australia from Tokyo and London Roar Superstar Kyle Chalmers.

Despite our horrible WIFI, we managed to have a great chat about all things ISL Season 3 and how much he is loving being back in the Roar team this year. Especially when the team have changed their hair colour lol.

We discuss the Aussie's success in Tokyo and what makes the dolphins culture right now so good. 

And of course we get into one of the most anticipated races of the past decade from Tokyo, when Kyle and Caleab Dressel went head to head in the Men's 100 Free final. Kyle gives us his thoughts on the race and how proud he is of the end result, but also how hungry it has made him for the next 3 years to come.

This is one you won't want to miss

 

NEW MERCH ALERT - Our brand new OTB Crew shirts have arrived, click the link below to purchase your original OTB Crew T today and become a part of the Crew

https://www.offtheblocksswimmingacademy.com/otb-crew-merchandise/p/style-01-wll4k

Off The Blocks with Alia Atkinson Ep 33

Season 4 Ep 33, we chat with 5 time Olympian for Jamaica and World Record Holder Alia Atkinson.

In this podcast Alia talks to us about Season 3 of the ISL and racing for her team London Roar, how much fun she is having and focusing on being sharp for the finals as the competition moves towards the pointy end.

We also go through her amazing career talking about her 5 Olympic appearances, and becoming the world record holder on multiple occasions.

Alia talks to us about how important it was to prove to herself and other about what is possible if you dream big and work hard, as she continues to inspire athletes from around the world.

All that and a whole lot more.

 

NEW MERCH ALERT - Our brand new OTB Crew shirts have arrived, click the link below to purchase your original OTB Crew T today and become a part of the Crew

https://www.offtheblocksswimmingacademy.com/otb-crew-merchandise/p/style-01-wll4k

Off The Blocks with Phoebe Harris Ep 32

Season 4 Ep 32, we chat with one of New Zealand Swimming's rising stars of the pool and national medallist Phoebe Harris.

In this podcast we discuss Phoebe's training through lockdown and motivated she is to be back in the pool training with her squad again.

We go through how she got started in swimming, and talk about some of the adversities she has faced as a young swimmer in her career so far. Phoebe shares the disappointment of not being able to join US college Florida International University due to Covid, but how she has turned that into a positive and her plans for the future in NZ.

We talk about her favourite stroke, Breaststroke and break down her 100m Breast race plan, and she answers some fun questions at the end which helps us get to know Phoebe away from the pool a bit more.

All that and a whole lot more.

 

Check Out Our New Line Of Merchandise - OTB Crew Shirts (Available Now)

Link below

https://www.offtheblocksswimmingacademy.com/otb-crew-merchandise/p/style-01-wll4k

ISL Season 3 Chat with Bobby Hurley (Matches 5 to 8 Review)

Expert Analyst and former world record holder Bobby Hurley joins me again to go through all things season 3 of the ISL from the last 4 matches.

We discuss the Jackpot rule and skins events and do they help anyone other than the already strong teams?

We go through each match and give our stand out performers from the teams.

Could we entice some big names to come back to swimming and be a part of the ISL in the future?

 

All that and a whole lot more ISL chat, don't miss it

Off The Blocks with Tom Dean Ep 31

Season 4 Ep 31, We chat with 2 time Olympic Gold Medallist for Team GB Tom Dean.

In this podcast we discuss Tom's ISL team London Roar and when we can expect the Olympic Champion in action for Season 3 over in Italy.

We go through his incredibly tough lead up to Tokyo having to overcome Covid not once but twice, which took it's toll on Tom, and he tells up how he got through it all and stayed focused.

Tom takes us inside his amazing 200 Freestyle for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where he won Gold for Great Britian and achieved a childhood dream, as well as being a part of the dominant men's 4x200 Freestyle relay team with Duncan Scott, Matthew Richards and training partner James Guy as the boys brought home another Gold medal.

We discuss his coach, his plans for the rest of the year and a whole lot more

Off The Blocks with Luke Greenbank Ep 30

Season 4 Ep 30, we chat with 2 time Olympic medallist from Tokyo for Team GB Luke Greenbank.

In this podcast we discuss Season 3 of the ISL and competing for Luke's team the London Roar.

We get into making his first Olympic Team for Tokyo, and his games experience. As well of course his amazing success in the Men's 200 Backstroke winning Bronze, and being a part of the Men's 4x100 Medley Relay team for GB that brought home a Silver medal as well.

We talk about the success of his coach Mel Marshal and what a tremendous team culture they have built within their squad including Anna Hopkin and Adam Peaty.

All that and a whole lot more

Off The Blocks with Matthew Temple Ep 29

Season 4 Ep 29, We chat with Olympian and two time Olympic medallist Aussie Speed machine and NY Breaker, Matt Temple.

In This Podcast we discuss his time over in Italy so far competing in Season 3 of the ISL with his team the NY Breakers, and how much Europe are loving the mullet.

We also get into making his first Olympic team and how special that was with his teammate and fellow Olympic medallist Brendon Smith.

We go through his experience in Tokyo and how much he loved being a part of the Aussie relays being a part of two Bronze medal teams, as well as his individual events including the Men's 100 Butterfly where he finished 5th in the final.

All that and a whole lot more, you won't want to miss

Off The Blocks with SwimNastics (Kirsten Norden) Ep 28

Season 4 Ep 28, we are joined by owner and founder of one of the best dryland exercise programs in the country helping combine gymnastics core principals with swimming movements and fundamentals called Swimnastics, Kirsten Norden.

In this podcast Kirsten explains to us all about SwimNastics and it's origins, which is doing such tremendous work in the swimming community right now all around the world. We go through all the pro's for swimmers and coaches who are using  SwimNastics as a part of their program via zoom.

We also get into the importance work life balance, and mental health and how big of a role being healthy and happy plays in how successful your work can be. Some great conversation that can apply to everyday life, not just swimmers.

Dont Miss This Episode, One Of The Best Chats in 140 Podcasts

Off The Blocks with Anna Hopkin Ep 27

Season 4 Ep 27, We chat with Olympic Gold medalist from Tokyo and Team GB member Anna Hopkin

In this podcast, Anna and I discuss her success in Tokyo with making the finals in the Women's 100 Freestyle and seeing the progression of the GB Women's 4x100 Freestyle relay team as they finished 5th at the Olympic Games.

We get into the incredible performance of herself and teammates, Kathleen Dawson, James Guy and Adam Peaty in the Mixed 4x100 Medley relay, where team GB came away with the Gold medal and a world record.

We also talk about her coach Mel Marshal and what impact she has had on her swimming career and helping her achieve the ultimate success in Tokyo.

All that and a whole lot more

Off The Blocks with Ella Ramsay Ep 26

Season 4 Ep 26, we chat with Swimming Australia and Swimming Queensland young gun Ella Ramsay.

In this podcast we discuss Ella's love for swimming and following in her fathers footsteps (2000 Sydney Olympian Heath Ramsay). We discuss training in such a successful environment with her team St Peters Western under Dean Boxall and Maxine Seear.

We go into her incredibly successful 2021 Australian Age Champs and walking away with 14 medals in total, as well as her experience at the Olympic Trials in Adelaide and finishing 4th in the 200 IM.

We talk about her coaches Dean and Maxine and how much they have helped lift her confidence and take her swimming to the next level, as well as what it's like to train with Australian Team Members like Ariarne Titmus, Mitch larking, Elijah Winnington and Mollie O'Callaghan 

 

All that and a whole lot more

Off The Blocks with Shannon Rollason Ep 25

Season 4 Ep 25, we chat to AIS Performance Hub Head Coach, and a man who has done it all when it comes to Swimming Coaching Shannon Rollason.

In this podcast we chat about Shannon's success with Olympic Champ and former world record holder Jodie Henry as well as Alice Mills and many other athletes up at Chandler when they had that tremendous success between 2001 and 2004. We get into a key to that success and Shannon's thoughts around reverse periodisation as well.

We go through his time coaching in Europe, where he spent time in Denmark and the UK and what he learned from his time overseas. As well as his current success as AIS Performance Hub Head Coach and getting Jess Hansen on the Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo.

Yes sir it's a long one, but with such a great story teller like Shannon, and so many fantastic pieces of coaching advice all the way through it, this is one you will not want to miss.

 

ISL Season 3 Chat with Bobby Hurley (Matches 3 & 4 Review)

In this ISL Season 3 chat, Off The Blocks Expert Analyst Bobby Hurley and I go through all the action from matches 3 and 4 of the regular season.

We discuss Match 3 and the impressive Energy Standard victory, as well as Sarah Sjostrom and Siobhan Haughey's super fast racing. We discuss stand outs from each teams, and if there is a gap starting to develop already between the top teams and those who may miss the semi finals.

We go through Match 4 and Caeleb Dressels MVP performance in another dominant display from the Cali Condors in their win, as well as LA Current and Australia's own Madi Wilson and her amazing performances so far making her and ISL Star who's stocks continue to rise.

We preview the next two matches coming your way this week, as well as a whole lot more

Off The Blocks with Sydney Brown Ep 24

Season 4 Ep 24, we chat with one of NSW and Australian Swimming's fastest rising stars of the pool, West Illawarra Swim Club's own Sydney Brown.

In this chat we discuss how Sydney has been going during lockdown, as well as how much she enjoyed watching the Aussie during the Olympics in Tokyo.

We get into her awesome 2021 Australian Age Championships results, both individually and with her relay team in West Illawarra Swim Club. Sydney tells us about her coach James as well and how much he has helped her swimming career as well as the tremendous team culture the club has built.

 

All that and a whole lot more

ISL Season 3 chat with Bobby Hurley (Matches 1 & 2 Review)

Former World Record Holder and World Champion and Off The Blocks Expert Analyst Bobby Hurley helps me go through all the action in the first 2 Matches of the ISL Season 3.

We discuss the strong rosters that both Energy Standard and Cali Condors have, as well as the great effort from Toronto Titans in their first match.

Bobby does a tremendous job explaining some of the rules around the ISL concept for all the new comers to this fantastic concept, as well as have a look at some of the teams we haven't seen in action yet including London Roar.

 

We also discuss the success of the Aussie Paralympic team in Tokyo, and the financial incentive disparity between Olympians and Paralympians in our country.

 

Enjoy 

Off The Blocks with Duncan Scott Ep 23

Season 4 Ep 23, We chat with Team GB most decorated athlete from a single Olympic games Duncan Scott.

In this podcast we talk to Duncan about his phenomenal performances in Tokyo, including his individual medals and being on the dais with teammate Tom Dean, as well as the electric swim Team GB produced in the Men's 4x200 Freestyle to win Gold and dominate the field. We discuss race plans, and training leading up to the games as well.

We get into Season 3 of the ISL and him racing again for the London Roar, as well as answering some Google questions that clearly the whole world have been trying to find out about the Scottish superstar.

 

All that and a whole lot more

Off The Blocks with Gus Worland Ep 22 "Mental Fitness"

Season 4 Ep 22, we talk with a man helping change the dialogue we use around mental fitness and well being with his phenomenal organisation Gotcha4Life, Mr Gus Worland.

 

In This podcast, Gus talks to us about how Gotcha4Life was started, struggles around mental fitness in todays climate and how we can identify them in others and in ourselves, reaching out and talking to a friend about how your feeling, as well as changing the way we think about being a man in 2021. Its a fantastic chat and one i am very proud of, this isn't a podcast just for swimmers, this is a podcast for everyone.

Hope You enjoy

 

Head to the Gotcha4Life website below for more details on this amazing group of people.

https://www.gotcha4life.org/

Off The Blocks with Mollie O'Callaghan Ep 21

Season 4 Ep 21, We chat you young superstar of the Australian Olympic Team, 3 Time Olympic Medallist and New Junior World Record Holder in the 17yrs 200 Freestyle Mollie O'Callaghan.

In this podcast we talk to Mollie about making her first ever Senior Australian team at just 17 in Adelaide and what a massive week that was. We discuss training camp in Cairns. Of Course we go through her amazing swims in Tokyo as a part of the Women's relay teams, including the 4x200 where she led off with a 1.55 and broke the junior world record. We also talk about her Coach and master motivator Dean Boxall and how important it was having him their with her at the games.

 

All that and a whole lot more

OUT RIGHT NOW - ALL NEW - OTB CREW SHIRTS

Be a part of the Crew and buy one today

https://www.offtheblocksswimmingacademy.com/otb-crew-merchandise

Off The Blocks with Kaylee McKeown Ep 20

Season 4 Ep 20, we chat to 4 time Olympic Medallist from Tokyo, Aussie Superstar Kaylee Mckeown

In this podcast Kaylee takes us through her amazing performances at the 202 Olympic Games including her Gold medal winning individual 100 and 200 Backstroke, we talk race plans and training for the events and which set helps let her know she is ready to race fast. We discuss her long-time coach and mentor Chris Mooney and what he has meant to her journey and how special it was to share those moments with him in Tokyo. We also talk about the Aussie relay success, what her plans are from here and even have some fun with some google questions.

 

OUT RIGHT NOW - ALL NEW - OTB CREW SHIRTS

Be a part of the Crew and buy one today

https://www.offtheblocksswimmingacademy.com/otb-crew-merchandise