Off The Blocks Swimming Podcast

Off The Blocks/The Shannon Rollason Podcast Ep 3 - Sprint Freestyle

Special treat for all those missing Off The Blocks Swimming Podcast

 

Welcome to The Shannon Rollason Podcast, a swimming podcast like no other.

This week on The Shannon Rollason Podcast, Shannon takes us through his philosophies and programs when it comes to Sprint Freestyle.

Shannon gives us an in depth look at qualities he looks for in identifying potential sprinters in your program, and the how he programs and plans for them whether they are a 50/100 swimmer or 100/200 swimmer and the differences he see's between the two. We also go through some of the best male and female sprinters of all time in our opinion, as well as some of the champion sprinters Shannon has coached during his career.

We also discuss Ash Barty's shock retirement and the notion of Slaying Your Dragon, what that means and how understanding what your dragon is could help you as a coach in the future.

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

Off The Blocks/The Shannon Rollason Podcast Ep 2 - Interview with Steven Tigg

Special treat for all those missing Off The Blocks Swimming Podcast

 

Welcome to The Shannon Rollason Podcast, a swimming podcast like no other.

 

Joining Shannon this week on the podcast is Scotland's Head Coach for the the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, and Coach of Duncan Scott the most successful British Olympian from a single Olympics in Tokyo, our special guest today is none other than Steven Tigg.

In this episode Steven and Shannon talk about the success of Duncan Scott and his progression throughout the years in the pool. Steven's long term plan for Duncan when they started working together 18 years ago and how he keeps their partnership innovative and progressing.

The coaches discuss plans for this year with World Champs and Comm Games, what is a priority and what may not be. What events will be prioritised for Duncan's program this year as well.

And Steven gives us a great insight into areas that coaches need to be conscious of when working with their athletes whether that be talking too much and over coaching, or sometimes being too reserved and missing the opportunity to step in and give corrections when they are needed.

Steven also gives us an insight into working with our Aussie swimmers whilst he was the Head Coach of London Roar in last seasons ISL competition.

A great chat with to coaches with a wealth of knowledge and experience at the highest levels

Off The Blocks/The Shannon Rollason Podcast Ep 1 - 2004 Athens Olympics

Special treat for all those missing Off The Blocks Swimming Podcast

 

Welcome to The Shannon Rollason Podcast, a swimming podcast like no other.

This Episode 1 and todays stories come from the Iconic 2004 Athens Olympic Games which was 17 years ago.

Shannon gives us his insights into the lead up to the games including the long term goal setting that took place around winning the Women's 4x100 Freestyle relay for Australia, and how much work went into achieving that goal.

We get his unique perspective on Jodie Henry winning Gold for Australia in the Women's 100m Freestyle, from the training, to the race itself and all the stories in between.

 Along with Shannon's own athletes we discuss Thorpie's false start at trials in the Men's 400m Freestyle, the famous full body race suits from back in the day, the conditions in Athens with the village and the venues, as well as his take on some of the Iconic races including the race of the century, and Petria Thomas Gold winning performance in the Women's 100m Butterfly.

You might have heard a lot of swimming podcasts, but you have never heard one like this. Amazing stories from a great time in our sport, from a man who is one of the best in the world, and was a part of all the legendary moments.

 

Off The Blocks with Stephan Widmer (Part 2) Ep 9

Season 5 Episode 9 (Part 2), we continue our 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 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 with Stephan Widmer (Part 1) Ep 8

Season 5 Episode 8 (Part 1), we 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 with Kai Edwards Ep 7

Season 5 Episode 7, we chat to Australia 2020 Tokyo Olympian for the 10km Marathon Swim, Kai Edwards

In this podcast we chat to Kai about his move down Sydney to train with long-time coach Chris Nesbit at Carlile. We discuss the Tokyo hangover after the games and what lead to his decision to come to Sydney from the Gold Coast.

We also discuss his Tokyo experience from his first Olympic games, the atmosphere, the conditions, the flying fish and how he handled it all. As well as some of his favourite sets to help him get ready for those long gruelling events in the open water.

Kai talks us through qualifying for his first games, how the selection process works and how it felt qualifying for his first games over in Portugal.

We also talk Motorbikes, life away from the pool, future aspirations and a whole lot more.

Off The Blocks with Chelsea Hodges Ep 6

Season 5 Episode 6, we chat we Olympic Gold Medallist from Tokyo 2020 from the Women's 4x100 Medley Relay, and Australian Champion Chelsea Hodges.

In this podcast we chat with Chelsea about where she is at right now with World Champ and Comm Games trials now just over a month away, and discuss her success at the recent NSW State Open Champs in Sydney.

Chelsea takes us back to her beginnings in the pool and we hear the amazing story of the adversities she has had to overcome through her development years in the pool particularly in her teenage years with major injury and surgery.

We discuss her long time partnership with coach Sean Eels and how that helped get her to her first ever Olympic Games in Tokyo, qualifying for the 100m Breaststroke and giving her a spot on the Women's 4x100 Medley Relay team.

Chelsea gives us a great insight into the euphoria of making her first ever Olympics at trials in Adelaide with a 1.05.99, to being at Tokyo competing and possibly not letting herself feel the moments as much as she would have liked during her heat and semi final swim, just missing the final of the Women's 100m Breaststroke by 0.02.

She then share's her "I had a point to prove" mentality stepping out on deck with Kaylee McKeown, Emma McKeon and Cate Campbell for the Women's 4x100 Medley relay, where along with the 3 other girls she absolutely smashed it splitting 1.05.57 and helping her team finish the games with a Gold medal and Olympic record.

All that and a whole lot more, as we go one on one with one of the brightest talents on the Dolphins swim team, and one of the nicest humans you will be fortunate to meet.

Off The Blocks with Charlie Hawke, Charli Brown and Alex Quach Ep 5

Season 5 Ep 5, we head over to the US and chat with 3 very talented young Aussie stars who are in college competing right now for their respective teams, we have Charlie Hawke with Alabama University, Charli Brown with Arizona State and Alex Quach with Ohio State.

In this podcast the 3 young stars give us their unique insight into training and competing over in the US college programs. How are they different from where they have come from, and what they have learned so far from their teammates and coaches.

The swimmers also tell us what it's like racing short course yards, and what element of the college system they would like to see implemented back home here in Australia.

We also play a quick game of who does it better, Aussies or the US, and have plenty more laughs along the way.

Loved this chat, and so proud of our young Aussie stars over in the US kicking goals.

 

 

Off The Blocks with Flynn Southam Ep 4

Season 5 Episode 4, we chat to Aussie young gun and record breaker from Bond University Flynn Southam.

In this podcast we discuss Flynn's, success in the pool at such a young age and goals he and his coaches Kyle Samuelson and Chris Mooney have for the next few years and beyond.

We also discuss his coaches influence on his swimming so far particularly Kyle, and what he has learnt since Olympic Gold medal winning coach Chris Mooney has come to Bond.

We discuss the ups and downs, and difficult periods he went through particularly during Covid lockdown in 2020. Flynn opens up and gives us an insight into how he was thinking during this time, and what strategies he employed to bring himself back out of them.

We talk race plans as well as areas of his racing Flynn feels he can still improve a lot.

And we talk about his mentor program MAD, how it started and why he loves it so much.

To find out more about MAD please head to https://www.flynnsoutham.com/

 

Off The Blocks with Adam Peaty Ep 3

Season 5 Ep 3, We sit down with the World Record Holder and now 2 time Olympic Champion in the Men's 100 Breaststroke, the man with a new book out right now "The Gladiator Mindset" Mr Adam Peaty.

In this podcast we discuss his success in Tokyo and the challenges he faced this time around with Covid, a new family and now having the big responsibility on his shoulders of being the defending champion.

We of course discuss his NEW BOOK "The Gladiator Mindset" and how it came about. We go through some of the important take always from the book and why he wanted to share his story and insights into how he became one of the biggest names in world swimming history.

This is our final episode for 2021, we hope you all have a happy and safe Christmas and New Years from all of us here at Off The Blocks Swimming Podcast and can't wait to share more stories with you all in 2022.

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-gladiator-mindset-adam-peaty/book/9781529418422.html

Above is the link of where you can buy Adam's best selling book, and just in time for Christmas.

 

XMAS 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 Chris Mooney Ep 2

Season 5 Ep 2, We chat with new Bond Head Coach and 2 time Olympic coach for Australia Chris Mooney.

In this podcast we discuss the big move down south to Bond University following what was an amazing 2020 Tokyo Olympic experience. What brought the move about, and what excited him about the future down on the Gold Coast.

We of course get stuck into the Tokyo Olympic experience including Kaylee McKeown's phenomenal performances, rooming with Dean Boxall and the tremendous Australian Team Culture at the moment.

Chris gives us some great insights into different training philosophies around rest and recovery, programming and planning and what he learned during the covid break in 2020.

We also discuss our personal connection outside of the swimming world, how that came about and what they taught both of us about work life balance and what's really important.

Off The Blocks with Shayna Jack Ep 1

Welcome to the season 5 premier of Off The Blocks Swimming Podcast, and todays special guest is World Champ and Comm Games Gold medallist Shayna Jack.

In this podcast, Shayna tells us how she has been feeling since being cleared to return to the pool a few months ago, and what goals she and coach Dean Boxall have set for the future now she is free to compete.

We discuss her ban from 2019, how it came about, how she heard about it and the struggles she went through trying to process what she was going to do. We discuss the dark days through her ban, but also the strength and resolve Shayna had to persevere, never give up and fight her way back to where she is today.

We also discuss how Swimming Australia could look at how they can better support athletes in the future who may be going through difficulties out of the pool, as well how the whole 2 year 3 month ban has helped Shayna realise she is much more than just an athlete and what other interests and passions she has outside of the pool now to help give her a great athlete/life balance.

Genuinely one of my favourite chats since starting the podcast in 2018, its roar, its real and its honest and if your like me i don't think you can help but come away from this podcast with admiration and empathy for Shayna Jack for everything she has been through over the last 2 and a half years, and how she never gave up, stayed true to her self and is now coming back bigger and stronger than ever.

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