The Effortless Swimming Podcast
Sports
About
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.
Episodes
- #426 : Once You Ignore Your Watch, You'll Get Faster
This episode of The Effortless Swimming Podcast discusses how ignoring your swim watch and focusing on the feel of the water can lead to faster swimming. It explores how being present during training can improve technique, effort control,…
- #425 : Secrets To Fast Freestyle with Steph Clutterbuck
Professional triathlete Steph Clutterbuck discusses efficient freestyle swimming techniques, emphasizing rotation, body position, and connection to improve speed and reduce wasted energy. The episode covers common mistakes and how to achie…
- #424 : How To Conquer The English Channel When You Live In The Desert with Brendan Cullen
Brendan Cullen describes his transformation into an English Channel swimmer despite living in the desert. He discusses the mental fortitude, training, and support systems that enabled him to complete this endurance feat.
- #423 : Why You've Been Taught To Over-Rotate with Brenton Ford
This episode discusses the common issue of swimmers being too flat in the water, leading to wasted effort and lack of speed. It explains how over-rotation prevents the body from working as an efficient system and how to improve stroke conn…
- #422 : Why You're Not Faster After Working On Your Catch with Brenton Ford
This episode explains why focusing on your freestyle catch doesn't always lead to increased speed. It discusses a common issue where swimmers rush the catch, negating potential improvements and hindering speed.
- #421 : How This Swimmer Got Faster, Without Working Harder with Brenton Ford
This episode challenges the idea that swimming faster requires more effort, suggesting that technique is the key. It discusses common misconceptions holding swimmers back and how a different approach can lead to increased speed without bur…
- #420 : The Real Reason You Are Out Of Breathe with Brenton Ford
Brenton Ford discusses the common issue of getting out of breath while swimming on The Effortless Swimming Podcast. The episode aims to explain the underlying causes of this problem.
- #419 : Only 6 Swimmers In History Have Done This with Sam Short
This episode features an analysis of elite swimmer Sam Short's technique, highlighting his exceptional water feel, fluid stroke, and relaxed recovery even at world-record paces. It delves into his massive training volume, reliance on funda…
- #418 : I'm Now 8 Seconds Quicker Per 100m with Brenton Ford
This episode discusses why swimmers often get stuck at a particular pace for months, even with consistent training. It explains how to identify and fix issues, such as stroke rate and foundational technique, to help swimmers break through…
- #417 : If Your Arm Collapses When You Breathe, Do This with Brenton Ford
This episode discusses a common swimming issue where arm collapse hinders breathing and progress, even with consistent training. It explores hidden mistakes adult swimmers face and offers technical and structural adjustments to improve per…
- #416 : Don't Be Prey: The 10-Year Battle to Reclaim a Life with Mark Sowerby
Mark Sowerby discusses his completion of the Ocean's Seven challenge, a ten-year pursuit across dangerous ocean channels. He shares how he developed a mindset to overcome fear and chaos, drawing parallels between open water swimming and li…
- #415 : The Catch Timing Secret Olympians Use with Brenton Ford
This episode details a specific timing pattern crucial for fast swimming, differentiating elite athletes from slower swimmers. Host Brenton Ford explains the pattern, its importance, and provides actionable advice on how swimmers can imple…
- #414 : The Breathing Fix That Dropped My Time 12 Seconds with Brenton Ford
This episode discusses a specific breathing adjustment that significantly improved a swimmer's performance, dropping their time by 12 seconds per 100 meters in just four weeks. The host breaks down the technique, including head position an…
- #413 : How I qualified for the Nationals (at 38 years old) with Brenton Ford
Brenton Ford shares his experience qualifying for the National Championships at 38, emphasizing training three times per week and discussing techniques learned from an Olympic gold medalist and a coach. He also covers overcoming an injury…
- #412 : The 5 Core Principle Of Fast Freestyle (#5 - Find Your Rhythm And Timing) with Brenton Ford
This episode of The Effortless Swimming Podcast focuses on the fifth and final core principle of fast freestyle: finding your rhythm and timing. It delves into aspects like kick timing, the serape effect, hand speed, and split tempo, offer…
- #411 : The 5 Core Principle Of Fast Freestyle (#4 - Develop An Effective Catch And Pull) with Brenton Ford
This episode of The Effortless Swimming Podcast, featuring Brenton Ford, discusses the 5 core principles of fast freestyle, specifically focusing on the catch and pull. It covers the start and exit of the stroke, key positions, and drills…
- #410 : The 5 Core Principle Of Fast Freestyle (#3-Rock, Return And Align) with Brenton Ford
This episode of The Effortless Swimming Podcast discusses the third core principle of Fast Freestyle: Rock, Return And Align. It details the concepts of rocking versus rolling, the return phase, proper entry technique, and body alignment i…
- #409 : The 5 Core Principle Of Fast Freestyle (#2 Find Your Balance) with Brenton Ford
This episode discusses the 5 core principles of fast freestyle swimming, specifically focusing on finding balance. Key elements covered include proud posture, taut core, and effective kicking.
- #408 : The 5 Core Principle Of Fast Freestyle (#1 Breathe Deep And Relax) with Brenton Ford
This episode focuses on the first core principle of fast freestyle swimming: breathing. It covers using your diaphragm, out-of-water breathing exercises, box breathing, relaxing your chest and upper back, posture, and controlled exhalation.
- #407 : 10 Ways To Increase Your Swim Speed with Brenton Ford
Brenton Ford discusses ten methods to enhance swimming speed in The Effortless Swimming Podcast. Strategies include training different strokes, modifying training methods, focusing on skills, improving suppleness, joining a squad, occasion…
- #406 : What does 1:05/100m for 2 hours look like? with Nick Sloman
Nick Sloman shares insights on maintaining a 1:05/100m pace for two hours, emphasizing efficiency, technique, and smart training over volume. He details aspects like head position, posture, kicking for balance, breathing patterns, catch me…
- #405 : Why Most Swimmers Run Out Of Air In Flip Turns with Brenton Ford
This episode details a technique-focused method for mastering flip turns in swimming, aiming to improve speed, conserve energy, and build confidence. It covers aspects from approaching the wall to the breakout, emphasizing that proper tech…
- #404 : Why Your Arm Drops When You Breathe with Brenton Ford
This episode of The Effortless Swimming Podcast addresses the common issue of an arm dropping during freestyle breathing. Host Brenton Ford discusses five potential causes and provides solutions to improve breathing technique, leading to s…
- #403 : 5 Freestyle Fixes That Actually Work with Brenton Ford
Brenton Ford details five effective techniques to improve freestyle swimming speed and efficiency. These include specific drills like pointing toes, pressing on the chest to lift hips, and focusing on reach and extension to increase distan…
- #402 : Reduce Your Stroke Count From 50 To 40 Strokes with Brenton Ford
This episode discusses how improving shoulder-to-hip connection, not just strength, can reduce stroke count. It features insights from elite swimmer Becca Mann and practical drills to swim farther and faster.
- #401 : Which Freestyle Kick Is Best? with Brenton Ford
This episode explains different freestyle kick patterns, including the 2-beat, 4-beat, and 6-beat kicks. It details how to perform each kick correctly and when to use them to enhance swimming efficiency, rhythm, and speed.
- #400 : How Much Can Your Swimming Improve In 2 Years? with Brian Hans
Brian Hans discusses his two-year swimming transformation, detailing how he improved his pace from 2:00 to under 1:30 per 100 yards. He shares insights on the role of technique, video analysis, consistency, and patience in achieving his re…
- #399 : 12 (unusual) lessons from Michael Phelps' coach
This episode shares 12 key insights learned from an interview with Bob Bowman, coach to elite swimmers Michael Phelps and Leon Marchand. The lessons cover consistency, performing under pressure, process over outcome, visualization, and cre…
- #398 : Exhausted A One Lap? 5 Ways To Swim Forever with Brenton Ford
This episode focuses on improving breathing techniques for swimmers to prevent exhaustion and swim longer distances. Host Brenton Ford shares insights from coaching 10,000 swimmers, detailing how to regulate breathing, avoid common beginne…
- #397 : Transform Your Catch In 17 Minutes with Brenton Ford
Host Brenton Ford explains the mechanics of the freestyle catch, including how to initiate the movement, the role of arm positioning, and how the catch contributes to overall swimming speed and efficiency. The episode provides a breakdown…
- #396 : 12 Ways To Make Your Swimming Unrecognizable In The Next 12 Months with Brenton and Tas
Brenton Ford and Tas share key takeaways from a Maldives training camp, discussing bottleneck identification, community support, overcoming self-doubt, and consistency. They offer practical strategies like simple cues, land drills, and con…
- #395 : How To Look (And Feel) Effortless In The Water with Brenton Ford
Brenton Ford outlines 5 steps to swim freestyle effortlessly, focusing on body line, head position, catch, recovery, and breathing timing. This episode aims to help adult swimmers and triathletes conserve energy, increase speed, and feel m…
- #394 : This Stroke Crushes In Open Water with Brenton Ford
This episode analyzes Sam Short's freestyle technique, specifically his galloping style, which is beneficial for open water swimming. It covers key elements like head position, elbow mechanics, and the catch.
- #393 : Navigating the Challenges of Marathon Swimming with Craig Lewin
Craig Lewin, a marathon swimmer and coach, discusses the training, motivation, and mental strategies required for challenging swims like the English Channel on The Effortless Swimming Podcast. The episode covers topics from preparation to…
- #392 : This Stroke Looks Calm...But Flies Past Everyone with Brenton Ford
This episode analyzes the effective swimming technique of Australian swimmer Lani Pallister, focusing on elements like her 2-beat kick, head position, and catch.
- #391 : The Latest Swimming Analysis Tools Are Getting Wild with Jaimie Fuller
Jaimie Fuller from EO Labs joins The Effortless Swimming Podcast to discuss how the Swim Better Handsets technology uses AI and power metrics to help swimmers and triathletes improve their performance. The episode covers data analysis, tra…
- #390 : How To Break 1:30/100m | Stroke Analysis with Brenton Ford
This episode analyzes the swimming stroke of a triathlete aiming to break 1:30/100m. It covers head position, body position, reach, extension, and arm angle to identify areas for speed improvement.
- #389 : Most Common Mistakes Adult Swimmers Make (And What To Do Instead) with Brenton Ford
This episode of The Effortless Swimming Podcast discusses common mistakes adult swimmers make, such as holding tension, looking forward, overkicking, incorrect catch timing, and rushing the breath, offering solutions for each.
- #388 : Why Your Kick Is Slowing You Down And How To Fix It with Brenton Ford
This episode of The Effortless Swimming Podcast with Brenton Ford addresses how a slow kick can hinder swimming progress for adult swimmers and triathletes. It details four common kicking mistakes, including kicking from the knees, using t…
- #387 : Does 1960's swim technique still work? with Brenton Ford
Brenton Ford examines 1960s freestyle swim techniques from Olympic gold medalist John Conrad, comparing them with his own modern approaches. The episode covers principles like energy conservation, body relaxation, efficient kicking, and br…
- #386 : 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Swimming with Brenton Ford
Brenton Ford shares 10 lessons learned from his early swimming experiences, focusing on avoiding common beginner pitfalls like overtraining and incorrect focus. The episode covers essential gear, basic techniques, training strategies, and…
- #385 : Most Swimmers Take Years To Learn This with Brenton Ford
Brenton Ford discusses how focusing on subtle adjustments and managing the mental aspects of swimming leads to real progress, rather than just chasing speed. This episode helps swimmers transform struggles into a smoother, more rhythmic st…
- #384 : How To Go From 2:30 to 1:15/100m with Brenton Ford
Brenton Ford discusses common swimming issues affecting different paces, from beginner to advanced, and provides drills and strategies for improvement. The episode covers topics like body posture, tempo, breathing, and catch mechanics.
- #383 : The Fastest (And Easiest Way) To Draft In Open Water
This episode focuses on the science of drafting in open water swimming, covering optimal positioning for drafting, preparation strategies for limited open water access, and mindset for leading and overtaking in a swim pack.
- #382 : Which Supplements Actually Help Your Swimming with Taryn Richardson
Taryn Richardson discusses how athletes can identify effective supplements using blood tests, potentially saving money on unnecessary products. The episode covers specific supplements like iron, vitamin D, creatine, and protein powders, wh…
- #381 : How Triathletes Can Swim Minutes Faster with Brenton Ford
This episode of the Effortless Swimming Podcast features Brenton Ford as a guest on the TriVelo Coaching Get Fast podcast. Ford discusses strategies for triathletes to significantly improve their swimming speed and efficiency in races, cov…
- #380 : Real-Life Strength: Building a Body That Serves You for Decades with Kate Galliett
Kate Galliett discusses building sustainable strength for longevity, focusing on consistent small steps, listening to your body to prevent injury, and simple habits for energy and sleep. The episode covers topics from empowering moms and d…
- #379 : From Paddling to Powerful: Nurturing Swimming Skills Without the Pressure with Brenton Ford
Brenton Ford shares insights on swimming technique, discussing why it differs from other triathlon disciplines and how to develop strong fundamentals in children without undue pressure. The episode covers using video feedback and specific…
- #378 : Translating Raw Power into Relaxed Efficiency with Rowing Legend Robin Williams
This episode features rowing legend Robin Williams, discussing his 50 years of experience coaching elite crews. He shares insights on translating raw power into relaxed efficiency, athlete-centered coaching, and effective feedback, with pr…
- #377 : How Actually 'Engage Your Core' When You Swim with Carl Reader
Carl Reader explains how swimmers can engage their core using Pilates-inspired and bracing techniques. The episode covers land drills, the importance of hip mobility, and posture adjustments to improve swimming performance and reduce pain.