Inside with Brett Hawke

Kieren's 1500 at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games had a massive impact on Brett (and every other Australian on planet Earth). He's back on the board of Swimming Australia. Been with NAB for over a decade. Life after sport is never easy. Developing mental toughness. Getting coached by John Carew. Kieren wouldn't exactly call himself an athlete. Football, cricket, soccer weren't for him. "I'm one of those swimmers that liked to train." - Kieren Perkins The 30x100's set. His parents sacrificed a lot for him and his brother. Glen Housman. Vladimir Salnikov. Daniel Kowalski. Grant Hackett. The ups and downs of an amazing career in swimming. And much, much more! Connect: Find | Brett Hawke On Instagram @hawkebr On Twitter @insidewithbh On Facebook @insidewithbh Find | Kieren Perkins In real life. Subscribe & Listen: Apple Podcasts Google Spotify YouTube

John Steffensen isn't a swimmer but he did shape Brett's coaching philosophy. They talk about how a swimmer and a runner became friends.  How he trained as a 200/400 meter runner. Winning Silver on the 4x100 Relay at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. The similarities between a 200 Freestyle and the 400m.  Doping.  Training 100% for 9 months, party for 2. Becoming close friends with Usain Bolt. What he's best at. Another chicken nugget story.  John's competitive mentality. "If you're not setting a personal best at the Games, you messed up!" Driving home with Usain after he ripped his hamstring in 2014. The Last Dance. And much, much more. Connect: Find | Brett Hawke On Instagram @hawkebr On Twitter @insidewithbh On Facebook @insidewithbh Find | John Steffensen On Instagram: @JohnSteffensen @bondisoap On Twitter: @JohnSteffensen Subscribe & Listen: Apple Podcasts Google Spotify YouTube Special Thanks: Fitter & Faster Swim Camps Swimnerd Pace Clocks

One of Australian's top swimmers over the last couple of quads, Thomas Fraser-Holmes is pretty good at everything. 4:10 4 IM, 1:45.0 2 Free. Living in the Gold Coast for the last 10 years. Born and raised in New Castle. Was more interested in Surf Life Saving when he was younger. Got a scholarship to the AIS. Justin Norris was Brett's roommate at the Olympics where he won Bronze.  The 100 Nugget Challenge. Why Canberra? Why not USA?  Australian public expectations. "Why didn't you win" mentality. Committed to Tokyo 2021. Goal is to make 3rd Olympic Team and win an Olympic medal. How do you get on the podium? Breaking 1:45 in the 200 Freestyle.  Why Not Me Swim Clinics Nobody is better than you in the world, mate! What did you learn from training with Grant Hackett? What have you learned being on the Australian Team for so long? Being resilient. Having confidence.  And much, much more. Connect: Find | Brett Hawke On Instagram @hawkebr On Twitter @insidewithbh On Facebook @insidewithbh Find | Thomas Fraser-Holmes On Instagram: @TomFraserHolmes On Twitter: @TomFraserHolmes Subscribe & Listen: Apple Podcasts Google Spotify YouTube Special Thanks: Fitter & Faster Swim Camps Swimnerd Pace Clocks

Brett sits down to speak with arguably the greatest distance swimmer to ever live, Grant Hackett.  They talk about Ian Thorpe coming up as a young 14 year old. Training with Denis Cotterell for 22 years. Living with Michael Phelps. And, the greatest lesson he ever learnt: being vulnerable. You don't want to miss this one.  Connect: Find | Brett Hawke On Instagram @hawkebr On Twitter @insidewithbh On Facebook @insidewithbh Find | Grant Hackett On Instagram: @Grant_Hackett Subscribe & Listen: Apple Podcasts Google Spotify YouTube Special Thanks: Fitter & Faster Swim Camps Swimnerd Pace Clocks

On today's episode, Brett speaks with swimmer/photographer/surfer, Simon Upton.   How'd you become a photographer of super models? Receiving a scholarship form the Australian Institute of Sport at age 16 for swimming. Training with David Orbell. Bill Sweetenham, the masochist of swim coaches. 17 year old son Tyson is headed to the University of Florida. Roomed with Duncan Armstrong, the man who slayed Matt Biondi and Michael Gross in the 200 Free in 1988. Laurie Lawrence: madness, obsession, passion. AIS Death Camp: 10,000 Fly for time anyone? 1992 Olympic Trials, a shoo in for the Olympic Team, got sick and swam 5 seconds slower than his best time. Failed to make the team. Resented swimming for many, many years after that meet. AIS never called. Moved to Amsterdam and dove head first in taking pictures.  And much, much more!  Connect:  Find | Brett Hawke On Instagram @hawkebr On Twitter @insidewithbh On Facebook @insidewithbh  Find | Simon Upton Debbie Walters Production  SimonUpton.net On Instagram: @SimonUptonPics Subscribe & Listen: Apple Podcasts Google Spotify YouTube Special Thanks: Fitter & Faster Swim Camps Swimnerd Pace Clocks

Remember that time when Darian and 3 of his South African compatriots captured Olympic gold in the 4x100 Free Relay in Athens, Greece circa 2004? Coaching for YMCA Westside Silver Fins in Phoenix, Arizona. Due to COVID-19, they are still open for emergency childcare for healthcare workers and essential working families.  Mike Lewis, famous swim photographer, told Brett he had to call Darian. Both of Darian's parents were competitive swimmers for Zimbabwe. Both still swim, mainly open water, and Darian's Mom teaches swim lessons, she owns her own swim school. Sister swam at TCU in Forth Worth, Texas. Sports in South Africa. Apartheid and Equal Rights.  He swam for Seals Swimming Club pretty much his entire age group career. He began training under Graham Hill leading up to 2004 Trials. Also learned a lot from Fred Vergnoux. How'd you end up on that 4x100 Free Relay in Athens? Darian walks through the the race starting with outstanding Roland Schoeman's lead off swim. After that, "just do your job".  Swimmers that influenced him: Penny Heyns. Terence Parkin. Meeting Bert Le Clos for the first time: "Hey my boy's going to win Olympic gold one day." - Bert Le Clos Retiring. Becoming an American citizen. And much, much more. Connect: Find | Brett Hawke On Instagram @hawkebr On Twitter @insidewithbh On Facebook @insidewithbh Find | Darian Townsend On Instagram: @CoachDarianTownsend Subscribe & Listen: Apple Podcasts Google Spotify YouTube Special Thanks: Fitter & Faster Swim Camps Swimnerd Pace Clocks

How'd you get that nickname, Skip?  How did Geoff get from Macai to Brisbane living and swimming with Coach Ken Wood? Why is Queensland such a breeding ground for swimming talent? Enjoying "the racing part" of swimming. And, being around your mates. On the 2nd 50 of the 100 Fly, Geoff would always repeat two words over and over again: "Long & Strong". Being a kid looking towards the 2000 Olympics (because they were in Sydney). Don Talbot's pep talks. His, "you can beat the Americans" mentality. Thropey pushing 1:50 200 Free at the end of 7x200's test set. Losing a parent at a young age molded his outlook on life. Pan Pacs 1997. Commonwealth Games 1998.  The Pre 9/11 Era.  How Lisa Curry-Kenny and Kieren Perkins changed everything. Michael Klim said you were his biggest rival. How'd you stay friends yet fierce competitors? Lars Frolander from Sweden was a great competitor.  "There's more to life than just swimming." 2000 Olympics 100 Fly: 1st Place, Lars Frolander 2nd Place, Michael Klim 3rd Place,  Geoff Huegill "By Day 6, it had become Groundhog Day." Geoff walks you through his 2000 Olympic experience focusing on the 100 Fly.  Why is Olympic pressure so much bigger than any normal pressure? It's the tip of the mountain, a century of history...home Olympics once in a life time opportunity.  51.6 in 2010 ranked #2 in the world. The journey to get to this point, 10 years after Sydney, was totally different. Especially, on the mental side. Would you have done anything different?  The quad leading up to Athens in 2004, there's a lot of things. Don Talbot getting removed as Swimming Australia's Head Coach. Don Talbot's culture. Don Talbot the Typewriter. Brett shares the story of Don leaving him off the Olympic team. Once you get to the highest level of swimming, you should take the opportunity to go learn from like minded athletes and coaches. Making a comeback in 2008 with Grant Stoelwinder as his coach. What are some of the things that you learned from your coaches? Struggling with his weight and being an emotional eater and drinker. The corona virus. Being stuck in Singapore and not being able to see his kids in Australia. Being an entrepreneur.  What are some things you can tell today's future top level swimmers? EVERYONE HAS A PHONE!! They go in depth about the Sydney 2000 experience. The long wait before they swam. The bus rides. And much, much more. Connect: Find | Brett Hawke On Instagram @hawkebr On Twitter @insidewithbh On Facebook @insidewithbh Find | Geoff Huegill On Instagram: @geoffhuegill Subscribe & Listen: Apple Podcasts Google Spotify YouTube Special Thanks: Fitter & Faster Swim Camps SWIMNERD Pace Clocks

Today Brett interviews 2020 International Swimming Hall of Fame Inductee, Michael Klim. They discuss how a chubby kid from Poland got to Australia.  How he was "tapped on the shoulder" by Gennadi Touretski and became training partners with Alexander Popov. Being ranked #1 in the 200 Freestyle going into the 1996 Olympics and failing to make the Finals.  Peeing his pants on the blocks in Prelims of the 200 Free. Doing 150 "starts" in 1 calendar year trying to break 50 seconds every time. Deliberate practice. The story behind Klim becoming a pioneer by swimming freestyle with straight arms -- through trying things in training. In this case, through different sprint drills.  Sprint Drills: Dolphin Kick Freestyle. Dolphin Kick Freestyle with Head Up. Straight Arm Freestyle. Straight Arm Freestyle with Head Up.  How they trained by progressing through the day...Morning would be aerobic. Middle of the day would be your threshold set. And your 3rd practice at 7PM is all explosive sprints and power. They put in 90K/100K weeks. One of Klim's Greatest Rivals: Geoff Huegill Leading up to the 2000 Sydney Games, they had a training camp that was open to the public that saw a couple thousand people walk in and observe practice every day. Brett explains leaving college swimming at Auburn early to focus on the 2000 Sydney Games, a once in a lifetime opportunity. Beating the undefeated Americans in the 4x100 Freestyle Relay in 2000. They go very in deep about this.  Ian Thorpe ripped 2 or 3 suits and thus wasn't in the ready room. Klim led off that relay with a World Record time of 48.18.  And much, much more! Connect: Find | Brett Hawke On Instagram @hawkebr On Twitter @insidewithbh On Facebook @insidewithbh Find | Michael Klim Milk & Co TLA Worldwide On Instagram: @michaelklim1 Subscribe & Listen: Apple Podcasts Google Spotify YouTube Special Thanks: Fitter & Faster Swim Camps Swimnerd Pace Clocks

Brett speaks to Robby Cox on his podcast, Off the Blocks.  Australia’s Number One Swimming Podcast Off The Blocks brings you the latest interviews from Australian swimming’s biggest legends, superstars of today and rising stars of the future. Connect: Find | Brett Hawke On Instagram @hawkebr On Twitter @insidewithbh On Facebook @insidewithbh Find | Off the Blocks Podcast On Podbean On Apple Podcasts On Facebook Subscribe & Listen to Inside with Brett Hawke: Apple Podcasts Google Spotify YouTube Special Thanks: Fitter & Faster Swim Camps Swimnerd Pace Clocks

Today, Brett speaks with a real Icelandic Viking, Anton McKee.  How did Anton get from Iceland to the University of Alabama? What is Iceland like? How's the food? Have you ever heard of Orn Arnason? Iceland's greatest swimmer. How do you go from being a distance swimmer (3:54/8:08 LCM) to becoming the Nordic Record Holder in the sprint breaststroke events (27.4/1:00.3 LCM)? They also discuss... *overcoming a major injury (broken collarbone) *learning English *his future in Information Technology *having a job and being a pro swimmer *training with Sergio Lopez, "the breaststroke whisperer", for Tokyo 2020/2021 Anton is now a member of the International Swimming League's Toronto Titans where his versatility should be a great strength for him. Find | Brett Hawke On Instagram @hawkebr on Twitter @insidewithbh On Facebook @insidewithbh Find | Anton McKee On Instagram: @antonmckee On LinkedIn: @asmckee Subscribe & Listen: Google Spotify YouTube Special Thanks: Fitter & Faster Swim Camps SWIMNERD PACE CLOCKS