
The Effortless Swimming Podcast
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.
Latest episodes

Jan 2, 2024 • 17min
#314 : 5 Ideas That Will Make 2024 Your Best Year Yet
Ready to level up your swimming game this year? In this episode, we're letting loose a treasure trove of ideas that will make your swimming better than ever before. Whether you've been swimming for a long time or are just starting out. Tune in now! 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Infinite Games in Swimming: Finding Joy in the Process 03:09 The Concept of Play: Incorporating Fun into Swimming 05:06 Investing in Experiences: Rethinking Financial Planning for a Fulfilling Life 10:35 How to Be Honest About Your Strengths and Weaknesses in Training 12:09 The Power of Habits: Transforming Your Life as an Athlete 14:09 Training Solo? Effortless Swimming Membership Has You Covered 16:13 More Exclusive Interviews with Pro Triathletes: Insights and Inspiration

Dec 27, 2023 • 27min
#313 : How To Strengthen And Stretch Your Hip Flexors For A Better Kick with Carl Reader
Expert in exercise physiology and Pilates, Carl Reader, discusses exercises to improve movement patterns for swimmers. Topics include modified squats for hip flexor activation, sumo squats for inner thigh muscles and knee stabilization, addressing imbalances, and the body's electrical system. Tune in for tips on enhancing swimming performance through improved movement.

Dec 18, 2023 • 38min
#312 : Put An End To Sinking Legs And Being Exhausted Quickly with Andrew Shaeff
Meet Andrew Sheaff, highly accomplished coach and author of the book 'A Constraints-Led Approach to Swim Coaching.' His expertise covers breathing techniques, improving catch and pull development, and addressing sinking legs. He discusses the benefits of mixing up breathing patterns, breaking comfort zones, and visual tricks for better breathing. Andrew also emphasizes the significance of body position and provides tips for managing body position in swimming.

Dec 12, 2023 • 56min
#311 : The Best Bits From 2023
Have you ever wondered what makes certain podcast episodes stand out, becoming favorites among listeners? Join us as we explore the most impactful episodes from this year on the Effortless Swimming Podcast. From overcoming mental barriers to training secrets of Olympic athletes, each episode has left a lasting impression on our listeners. Reflecting on these conversations, we'll uncover the wisdom and experiences shared by our guests and the valuable life lessons they offer. Gain insights into what made these episodes popular and discover the secrets that set them apart from the rest! 00:32 EP #267: How To Adapt Your Stroke For Triathlons with 70.3 World Champion Tim Reed 05:55 EP #272: Swim Softer To Go Faster with Brant Best 10:37 EP #279: How Swimming Instills Lifelong Discipline with Pro Triathlete Joshua Lewis 17:14 EP #286: What It Takes To Win Olympic Gold And Break Worlds Records with Ryan Murph 25:19 EP #278: Using Stroke Rate, DPS and Consistency To Transform Your Swimming with Brian Johns 30:19 EP #263: A Simple Guide To Finding The Cause Of Your Technique Errors (Not Just The Symptom) 32:52 EP #275: Mental Hack for Marginal Mental Gains with Dr Jim Taylor 37:05 EP #288: How Olympians Use Underwater Filming And Analysis with Kyle Chalmers 41:35 EP #276: On A Mission To Complete The Oceans Seven in One Year with Andy Donaldson 44:48 EP #293: Swimming Secrets With 4x Olympian Brent Hayden 50:22 EP #298: Maintaining Your Competitive Edge For Life with 5x World Champion Craig Alexander

Dec 6, 2023 • 38min
#310 : Learn Faster, Change Quicker with Glenn Capelli
Glenn Capelli, professional speaker and author, shares insights and tips on learning and making decisions for improving swimming skills. Topics include finding flow, maximizing fun in training, changing language to shift approach, developing small habits, and the power of challenges. Discover how swimming can impact mental and spiritual health, and how small changes lead to significant results.

Nov 29, 2023 • 57min
#309 : Transforming Life's Challenges into Catalysts for Growth with Kat Matthews
Join us in this inspiring episode as we talk to professional triathlete Kat Matthews. Despite a major setback in 2022 when she was hit by a car before the Kona Ironman World Championships, Kat found inspiration and made a triumphant comeback the following year. We discuss her journey of overcoming adversity and her impressive second-place finish at the Ironman World Championships. Whether you're a seasoned swimmer or just starting out, this episode offers valuable insights. Tune in now! 01:59 Swimming Background 05:12 The Battle of Overthinking 08:20 Recognizing the Difference Between a Good and Bad Swim 11:48 How Head Position Can Impact Swimming 14:53 The Connection Between Kick and Body Position 18:16 Choosing the Right Fins: DMC Elite vs. Arena Powerfins 21:06 Ballerina in a Bucket Cue 22:39 Navigating Loss and Grief: Kat's Journey After the Accident 29:27 The Clues Trauma Leaves: Understanding the Psychological and Physical Effects 31:38 The Double-Edged Sword: Putting Emphasis on Race Results 34:43 Setting Achievable Goals and How Breaking Down Objectives Can Boost Motivation 39:12 The Importance of Translating Training Performance to Race Results 41:42 The Trap of Overdoing Training for Numbers 45:34 The Rewards of Following a Structured Training Routine 51:45 Swimming Advice for Beginners

Nov 21, 2023 • 42min
#308 : 3 Under The Radar Mindset Techniques That Transform Your Race Day Performance with Dr Jim Taylor
In this episode, we welcome back Dr Jim Taylor, a renowned psychologist specializing in sports and performance. Dr Taylor shares his insights and strategies from his recent experience at the World Championships in Spain. We discuss topics such as adjusting intensity based on race distance, effective focus and mindset for training and racing, and the importance of being brutally honest with oneself for improvement. Tune in for an enlightening conversation with Dr Jim Taylor. 03:34 Balancing Athletic and Professional Life 04:50 The Range of Physical Intensity in Swimming and its Impact on Performance 08:27 Finding the Balance Between Relaxation and Intensity 15:13 How to Clear Your Mind for Better Performance and What Happens When You Overthink in Races 18:14 Focusing on Higher Cadence and Intensity in Training 20:17 Progressing through Different Levels of Swimming 22:11 Developing a Mindset Plan for Racing 25:49 Tapping into Physical Fuel with the Mind 27:45 Practicing Mental Imagery for Race Preparation 29:20 Applying a Reality Check to Race Results and Performance Evaluation 31:46 The Value of Testing and Assessing Performance 36:44Having a Coach Analyze Data and Provide Insights 38:23 How to Get in Contact with Dr Jim Taylor

Nov 15, 2023 • 43min
#307 : How One Mental Shift Can Change The Trajectory Of Your Life with Flynn Southam
Join us on today's episode as we interview Flynn Southam, a talented young Australian swimmer who has already achieved remarkable success at the age of 18. He's been in the Commonwealth Games team and won numerous gold medals at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships. We delve into Flynn's unique perspective on technique, exploring the key aspects he focuses on and the mindset he maintains during training and races. Discover the one phrase his coach told him that completely transformed his training approach, turning him into a dedicated and determined athlete. Tune in now! 02:12 Representing Team Australia at a young age 03:13 Australian Team Wins Gold in 4x100m Freestyle Relay at World Champs 07:05 Breakfast with Michael Phelps at the hotel 08:27 Chasing Olympic Dreams: Why Not? 10:22 The Moment Flynn Realized He Could Compete with the Best 11:53 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Making a Comeback 14:46 The Role of Mindset in Achieving Flow State in Competitive Swimming 16:10 Creating Art on Race Day: The Power of Rituals 17:27 Mastering Body Position and Front Catch 22:14 Core and Functional Movement Workouts 24:32 Flynn's Favorite Training Set 27:29 The Power of Anaerobic Conditioning 30:00: The Use of Swim Parachutes for Drag and Resistance Training 34:19 Training with a Great Group of Mates 35:20 Mentoring Young Swimmers: Common Struggles and Advice 41:13 What's Coming Next for Flynn?

5 snips
Nov 8, 2023 • 46min
#306 : Unlocking the Champion Code: 20 Years Of Elite Swim Coaching with Leigh Nugent
Leigh Nugent, one of the world's top technical coaches, shares valuable insights on improving freestyle technique and discusses the champion mindset. He also shares stories of swimmers overcoming injuries and achieving success. Topics include coaching challenges, impact of swimming on personal growth, and key elements of great freestyle technique.

Nov 1, 2023 • 37min
#305 : Discover Your Real Swim Efficiency Score with Brian Johns
Join us on this podcast episode as we sit down with Brian Johns from Form Goggles. Brian discusses the exciting new features of Form Goggles and how they can help swimmers improve their technique. From measuring efficiency to providing real-time feedback on head and breathing position, these goggles are a game-changer for swimmers of all levels. Tune in now! 01:03 Exploring Form Score: A Universal Measure of Swimming Efficiency 09:10 Head Coach Skills: 5 Key Areas to Help Improve Efficiency 09:35 #1 Peak Head Roll 16:59 #2 Head Pitch 18:45 Finding the Sweet Spot: Head and Breathing Position 20:14 The Similarities in Technique Cues for Swimmers of Different Ages and Levels 23:21 #3 Interval Pacing 24:30 #4 Set Pacing 27:45 #5 Breathing Time To Neutral 31:39 Exciting Future Developments for Form Goggles 34:11 Downloading Workouts to Form Goggles for Easy Access