Social Kick • Swim Culture & Stories

Social Kick
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The Social Kick Podcast dives into the world of swimming — from Olympic legends to everyday athletes. Authentic, funny, and insightful conversations that bring the swim community together. 🏊‍♂️ Hosted by swimmers, for swimmers.

  1. 4D AGO

    Charlotte Crush: The #1 Recruit, Team USA, and Building Her Own Legacy

    Charlotte Crush isn’t just the top high school recruit in the nation — she’s one of the most promising young swimmers in the world. In Episode 286 of Social Kick, we sit down with the Team USA standout and Lakeside Hawks star to explore the mindset, training, and discipline driving her rapid rise. Coming from a family of NCAA champions and elite athletes, Charlotte knows expectations follow her everywhere. But rather than shy away from the pressure, she’s learned how to channel it — maintaining a professional approach to the sport while still navigating the realities of high school life. In this episode, Charlotte opens up about her commitment to the University of Tennessee, the influence of her swimming family, and the unconventional backyard pool sessions that helped sharpen her elite underwater skills. She breaks down the technical evolution of her backstroke, her shift toward greater aerobic strength, and the mentality that keeps her pushing forward even when a race feels “perfect.” The conversation is insightful, honest, and full of personality — offering a rare look inside the mind of an athlete many believe is shaping the next generation of American swimming. In this episode: 🏊 Life as the nation’s #1 recruit 🇺🇸 Representing Team USA at a young age 🔥 Managing expectations and self-pressure ⚡ The technical secrets behind elite underwaters 🍊 Why Tennessee felt like the right fit Whether you're a swimmer, coach, or fan of the sport, this episode gives you a front-row seat to a future star building a legacy entirely her own.

    57 min

  2. FEB 13

    Jacob Mills: The 6'6" British Sprint Phenom Chasing Olympic Glory

    Jacob Mills is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about young sprinters in world swimming — and for good reason. Standing 6'6" with elite power and rapidly improving efficiency, the British freestyle rising star joins Social Kick after a breakout season that has put the global sprint scene on notice. In this episode, Jacob breaks down the technical transformation that changed his career — cutting his stroke count dramatically, refining his “big man” freestyle, and learning how to balance raw strength with precision in the water. He shares how his rugby background built the discipline and toughness that now fuels his training, why he made the bold decision to stay in Manchester rather than pursue the NCAA route, and what it’s like preparing alongside some of Britain’s biggest names. We also dive into sprint strategy, back-half speed in the 100 free, altitude camps, the daily grind of British training culture, and his long-term vision for the LA 2028 Olympics. Insightful, technical, and packed with personality, this conversation offers a front-row seat to the mindset of a swimmer chasing world-class speed — and just getting started. 🎧 In this episode: 🔥 The stroke overhaul that unlocked major time drops 🇬🇧 Training with Britain’s elite 💪 The “big swimmer” approach to sprinting 🏅 Olympic ambition and the road to LA 2028

    47 min

  3. FEB 6

    Ryan Erisman: Beating Olympians & a Breakout Freshman Season at Cal

    Ryan Erisman is having one of the most eye-opening freshman seasons in college swimming — and he proved it on the world stage. Fresh off a dominant performance at the 2026 Pro Swim Series in Austin, the Cal freshman joins Social Kick to break down what it takes to beat Olympic medalists, manage insane race schedules, and thrive inside the legendary Cal system. Ryan talks about winning the 200 and 400 free, dropping massive time in the 1500, and racing everything from the 200 fly to the 100 free — often in the same session. We get into his rapid transition from high school standout to NCAA threat, training under Dave Durden, long-course vs short-course racing, and how he’s building momentum with Nationals and NCAAs ahead. If you want a look at what the next generation of U.S. distance and middle-distance freestyle looks like, this episode is a must-listen. 🎧 Freshman breakout 🔥 Pro Swim Austin wins 🏊 Beating Olympians 🐻 Life inside Cal swimming

    1 hr

  4. JAN 30

    Skyler Smith: Breaststroke, Confidence & Racing In-Season Ep. 283

    Skyler Smith is swimming some of the best races of her career — right now. In this episode of Social Kick, the UNC senior and U.S. National Team pool member opens up about finding momentum, building confidence, and racing fast without waiting for the perfect taper. From dropping personal bests at the Pro Swim Series to navigating NCAA pressure and setbacks, Skyler shares what it actually takes to stay dangerous across a long season. This conversation goes deep into breaststroke — how it works for her body, why technique myths persist, and what matters most when racing at a high level. Skyler also reflects on confidence, consistency, and learning to trust the process after meets don’t go as planned. Along the way, we get plenty of personality: rapid-fire questions, training war stories, pop culture, and what’s next as she balances elite swimming with grad school and life beyond the pool. If you’re a swimmer, coach, or fan who wants to understand how elite athletes think, adapt, and keep progressing, this episode delivers.

    1h 5m

  5. JAN 25

    Andy Donaldson: Ultramarathon Swimming, Purpose & 4 Minutes From a World Record | Ep. 282

    What does it take to keep going when you’ve already given everything you have? In this episode of Social Kick, we sit down with Andy Donaldson — ultramarathon swimmer, world-record holder, fastest man to swim around Manhattan Island, and the first male swimmer to complete the Ocean’s Seven in a single calendar year. Andy shares the realities behind the swims most people only see in photos: long hours in dark water, brutal conditions, sickness, fear, and the moments where progress feels impossible. He opens up about a swim that nearly ended in defeat — before turning into one of the most meaningful experiences of his life, finishing just four minutes outside a world record on the rocks of Scotland. This conversation goes beyond times and results. It’s about: Defining your “why” when things start to unravel Learning that you don’t have to do it alone The shift from chasing personal achievement to creating purpose Using swimming as a platform to inspire others and elevate communities From swimming around Manhattan to a groundbreaking relay around Bahrain, Andy reflects on how his motivation has evolved — and why impact now matters more than records. Sometimes the finish time isn’t the point. Sometimes the real win is what the journey reveals. 🎙 Social Kick Podcast

    1h 15m

  6. JAN 20

    Eva Okaro on NCAA Swimming, Texas Culture & Breaking Records as a Freshman | Social Kick Ep. 281

    British Olympian Eva Okaro joins Social Kick to talk about her breakout freshman season at the University of Texas, adapting to NCAA swimming, and why fun, confidence, and environment have fueled her early success. Eva shares what it’s really like moving from Team GB to Texas, adjusting to short course yards, handling tougher training, and surrounding herself with athletes who push each other daily. She also opens up about mindset shifts, embracing change, international competition, and what excites her about what’s ahead. This episode covers: Transitioning from UK swimming to the NCAA Breaking school records as a Texas freshman Short course yards vs meters Training mentality, team culture & confidence Life in Austin and balancing elite sport with college life A must-listen for swimmers, coaches, and anyone interested in high-performance environments. 🎧 Follow Social Kick for more conversations with elite athletes shaping the future of swimming.

    44 min

  7. JAN 11

    Dave Durden: How Cal Swimming Builds Champions & Winning Culture. Ep 280

    Legendary coach Dave Durden joins Social Kick to talk culture, champions, and what really matters in elite swim training. As the head coach of the California Golden Bears, Dave has built one of the most successful programs in college swimming history, developing Olympic champions and sustained excellence. In this episode, he breaks down his coaching philosophy, why evaluating how athletes move in the water matters more than times, and how long-term planning shapes winning environments. We also dive into recruiting, building trust, and why Dave believes social kick might be one of the most important — and overlooked — parts of training. Whether you’re a swimmer, coach, or fan of the sport, this episode is packed with insight, perspective, and stories from one of swimming’s most respected leaders. Follow Social Kick and drop a comment with your favorite Dave Durden memory or your go-to social kick set.

    1h 21m

  8. 12/28/2025

    Swimming’s Best, Worst, and Weirdest Moments of 2025. Episode 279

    Dude, what a year.” In this year-end episode of The Social Kick Podcast, the full crew — Bryan Lundquist, Dr. John Mullen, and Luke Paddington — gets together to close out 2025 by debating the most unforgettable moments in swimming. We break down the races that defined the year, from Leon Marchand skipping the 1:53s entirely in the 200 IM to Katie Ledecky breaking the 15-minute barrier at a home invitational. We also dig into the moments that sparked debate and disbelief, including the Florida relay disqualification at NCAAs, the removal of B-Finals from the NCAA format, and a “pool measurement” conspiracy surrounding world records. The conversation moves from jaw-dropping performances to the hardest training sets of the year — including a Sven Schwarz distance workout that stopped Bryan in his tracks — before wrapping with bold predictions and personal goals heading into 2026. Topics include: Race of the Year debates The women’s 800 free and Ledecky’s historic swim NCAA controversies and format changes The hardest sets of 2025 Big interviews, breakout moments, and WTF stories Bold predictions and goals for 2026 It’s equal parts analysis, opinion, humor, and reflection — a true end-of-year conversation for swimmers, coaches, and fans who lived every moment of the 2025 season.

    54 min
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4.8
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About

The Social Kick Podcast dives into the world of swimming — from Olympic legends to everyday athletes. Authentic, funny, and insightful conversations that bring the swim community together. 🏊‍♂️ Hosted by swimmers, for swimmers.

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