Get ready for an amazing Andy Donaldson episode! He's done something amazing: finished the Ocean 7 challenge faster than anyone ever has before. In just one year, he completed all seven swims in a total of 63 hours. And the best part? Andy's doing all of this to bring attention to mental health. We'll chat about the tough parts of those swims, how he tackled the tricky currents, and what lessons he took away from the whole experience.

02:24 Navigating Challenges In The Molokai Channel Swim
05:51 The Team's Vital Role in Distance Updates And Support During The Swim
11:02 Mindset Shift: From Competition To Channel Swims
13:19 The Controversy Surrounding The Tsugaru Strait Swim
20:40 Andy's Difficult Swim Through The Tsugaru Strait
27:33 Overcoming Obstacles, The Team Succeeds in Breaking the Ocean 7 World Record
33:11 Promoting The Ocean 7 Sport, Mental Health Awareness, And Message Of Hope And Teamwork
36:50 Moving Over Disappointment And Finding Greater Purpose
40:00 Lessons From The Open Water Swims: Perseverance, Self-Determination, And Lasting Connections
41:58 Life After Reaching The Goal And Embracing New Opportunities
46:00 Media Attention And Impact Of Open Water Swimming
48:23 What's Next For Andy Donaldson?

Join me in this engaging episode as I chat with Sandra Schenkel, an elite duathlete from Spain who overcame swimming frustrations during the pandemic. We'll dive into her journey of making incredible progress through focused training and coaching. Discover how Sandra regained her swimming skills and achieved her best level ever. We'll also explore the significance of relaxation, breathing exercises, and technique in swimming. Get ready for valuable tips on mobility work, rest intervals, and maintaining a healthy diet.

01:56 Overcoming swim frustrations and developing skills
03:32 The Impact of breathing exercises on stroke improvement
04:18 Breathing exercises can help improve relaxation and body position in the water
08:05 Focusing more on the process than the result
11:49 Improving technique through the catch, breathing, leg posture, and head position
13:19 The importance of mobility and flexibility in swimming and how to improve them
19:07 Advice for those who are frustrated by their swimming
21:45 What's the next goal?
22:58 Interval Rest is Vital for Athletes
30:20 Work on technique, breathing, and the things you can control, and do not always train at maximum intensity

Joining me today is Gerard Donnelly from Trivelo Coaching, an Australian champion and podcast host. His podcast is a go-to for triathletes seeking insights from his seasoned journey in the sport. We'll dive into life lessons from triathlon, smart training with technology, race focus, and the balance between short intense sessions and longer technique-focused ones. And, of course, get advice for those training for half or full Ironman events.

01:29 How the sport has changed in the past 30 to 40 years due to various evolutions
05:00 Getting ahead in technology helps coaches train athletes better
12:55 We've plenty of technology to test and train smartly, aiming for peak performance in races
15:44 Athletes should understand their body's feelings along with data for better decisions during races and training.
22:01 What does perceived exertion look like for most athletes?
27:15 Form goggles provide solo training feedback, crucial for refining swimming technique 
29:54 Avoid drifting and losing concentration during races
37:55 Key habits for faster triathlon swim times 
41:57 The fitness component is the key to holding the form
49:20 Shorter intense sessions VS Longer technique-focused ones 
53:10 What advice would you have for someone training for a half or full ironman?
58:10 A focused race plan lead to a positive experience and a more fulfilling life journey

Today, we're thrilled to have triathlete Josh Salley sharing exciting updates on his technique and swimming breakthroughs. You can learn from his journey and find out the secret to his success. Get ready for an inspiring conversation!

02:33 Josh's Swansea Half Ironman Experience: Calmer and Faster!
07:21 Open Water vs. Pool Impact On Awareness?
10:32 Build Confidence In Open Water. Fear Fades With Time
12:34 Josh Shares His Progression And Coaching Insights
20:36 Consistency, Feedback, And Patience Led To Progress
21:51 Find What Works Best For You, Avoid Overthinking
24:09 Having Strong Foundation And Better Habits In Swimming
27:27 Believing In Yourself And Taking Your Place In The Race Leads To Better Results
31:56 Advice For Triathletes Struggling To Improve Their Swim
35:23 Focus On Progress, Not Pace. Be Obsessed With Improvement, And Use Feedback To Refine Your Technique.
37:43 Consistent Practice Helps Your Body Learn What Works

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?