#293 : Swimming Secrets With 4x Olympian Brent Hayden
Aug 1, 2023
auto_awesome
4x Olympian Brent Hayden discusses his Tokyo Olympics comeback, staying in shape post-retirement with strength training, coaching approach, and thoughts on coaching through Skillest. He shares insights on the Canadian swimming community support, relay event details, passing on core aspects to coaching groups, and the impact of media spotlight on his focus in the 2016 Olympics.
Strength training during retirement aided Hayden's comeback and mental health.
Swimmers benefit from Hayden's coaching philosophy emphasizing fundamentals in a structured manner.
Skillist enhances coaching efficiency with streamlined video analysis and personalized feedback.
Deep dives
Brent Hayden's Unexpected Comeback to Swimming
Brent Hayden's unexpected return to competitive swimming for the Tokyo Olympics stemmed from a period of feeling lost and needing a new challenge after success with coaching and facing financial challenges. Amidst depression, rediscovering his love for swimming in 2019 reignited his passion. Hayden found comfort in strength training through weightlifting during his retirement, leading to over 20 pounds of muscle gain, enabling a strong comeback and impressive performance at the Games, almost beating his Canadian record.
Overcoming Mental Health Challenges and Finding Strength in the Water
Struggling with depression during retirement, Brent Hayden found solace in strength training, which not only kept him physically fit but also provided a sense of daily accomplishment. By focusing on weightlifting, he regained a sense of discipline and accomplishment, positively impacting his mental health. Through his unexpected comeback and impressive performance at the Tokyo Olympics, Hayden highlighted the importance of addressing mental health challenges and finding inner strength to overcome adversity.
Coaching Philosophy and Sharing Expertise in Swimming
Brent Hayden's coaching philosophy centers around breaking down swimming fundamentals to their simplest elements, likening it to assembling IKEA furniture step by step. By emphasizing the core principles of breathing, buoyancy, alignment, rotation, kick, recovery, and pull in a structured progression, Hayden helps swimmers improve their efficiency and speed. Through online coaching platforms like Skillist, Hayden leverages video analysis to provide personalized feedback and guidance, aiding swimmers in refining their technique and enhancing their performance in the water.
Improving Coaching Efficiency with Skillist
Skillist, a coaching tool, revolutionized the coaching process by streamlining video analysis, eliminating tedious tasks like manual video processing. Coaches found it significantly eased the workflow, allowing for instant video access and enhanced communication with athletes post-clinic. Skillist's user-friendly interface transformed how feedback and improvements were shared, catering not only to elite swimmers but also to enthusiasts new to the sport.
Navigating Competition Challenges: The Mindset Shift
The podcast delved into the speaker's personal competitive journey, emphasizing the shift from obsessing over winning to focusing on personal performance. Drawing from Olympic experiences, the speaker reinforced the importance of competing against oneself and prioritizing personal growth over external accolades. By recounting pivotal Olympic moments and struggles, the speaker highlighted the value of resilience, self-motivation, and the ability to navigate challenges, showcasing how setbacks can ultimately shape success and character development.
I'm excited to welcome Brent Hayden, a true legend, back to the podcast after nearly five years since our last conversation in 2018. A lot has changed since then, including his return to swimming and competing in the Tokyo Olympics. We'll also explore how he stays in shape during retirement, his coaching approach, and his thoughts on coaching through Skillest. Tune in now!
02:25 What was the origin or starting point of your comeback for the Tokyo Olympics? 07:27 Did you engage in strength training or any other fitness activities to stay in shape during your retirement? 13:02 Why do you believe the Canadian swimming community was supportive in encouraging your comeback? 14:24 Could you talk me through or discuss the details of the relay event? 21:15 During your retirement, as you coach and run clinics, what are the core aspects you like to pass on to the groups that you're coaching? 33:55 What are your thoughts on coaching through Skillest? 51:22 Did the attention and media spotlight from winning bronze in the 100 free in 2012 impact your intense focus on achieving results in the 2016 Olympics?
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode