Freestyle Media

This week on Freestyle Media, swimmers Helen Gorman, Dan Mills and Katie Moore, along with Trafford Metro coach Bob Bolton, take part in a discussion on training volume. Is there a perfect amount and, if so, what is it? Get 15% off a pair of custom-fit goggles from TheMagic5 by using the affiliate link www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited Get a personalised strength and mobility programme at www.oxolt.com

Amanda Heath competes in the 65-69 age category and is a serial medal winner and world champion. Records are a source of motivation for Amanda which keeps the fire burning bright for her. She considers swimming competitions a chance to compete but also spend time with her 'swimming family'. This is Through The Water With Amanda Heath. Get 15% off products from TheMagic5 by using the link: www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited Get a personalised strength and mobility programme at www.oxolt.com

Here we go, then! Everything you need in the build up to the British Masters Championships, taking place in Swansea, Wales across three days. Host Joe Malone is joined by Jonathan Saunders, Jamie McHale and David Westcough to discuss the swimming, the travelling and the downtime across the weekend. Ger 15% off products from TheMagic5 using the link: www.themagic5.com/freestylemedia Get a personalised strength and mobility programme at www.oxolt.com

This year Andy Jameson celebrates his 36th year in the commentary box, following a successful swimming career of his own that saw him win medals on the Olympic, Commonwealth, world and European stage. Andy is the voice you hear when tuning into the swimming on the BBC, over many years including all the major competitions. Reflecting on his time as a commentator, and the recent Aquatics GB Swimming Championships, Andy discusses some of his most memorable moments behind the mic. Get 15% off products from TheMagic5 by using the link: www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited Get a personalised strength and mobility programme at www.oxolt.com

After British Swimming announced its rebrand to Aquatics GB last week, Sports Reporter Nick Hope jumped on the podcast to discuss what this means for our sport and the advantages it could give the whole aquatics umbrella, including masters swimming. We also discuss Olympic Trials and, well, Easter eggs... Get 15% off products from TheMagic5 by using the link: www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited Get a personalised strength and mobility programme at www.oxolt.com

Recently crowned a double World Masters Champion for the 400 and 800 freestyle in Doha, Dan Mills recalls his swimming journey that saw him become age group champion as a teenager and go on to compete at the Youth Olympics. After a year of full-time training as an 18 year old, Dan decided to head to university and study medicine, and has since competed on the masters stage, to quite an outstanding level. This is Through The Water With Dan Mills. Get 15% off products from TheMagic5 by using the link www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited Get a personalised strength and mobility programme at www.oxolt.com

This week I speak once more to John Wood, who recently competed at a licensed meet and made the qualifying time for the 100m butterfly for Olympic Trials in April this year. The Trials will be held at the London Aquatics Centre and John - who is 37 and last qualified for an Olympic Trials 20 years ago - hopes to enjoy the experience and take on a no-pressure mentality. John discusses how he's got faster over the years and how his training is simple but on point. Get 15% off products from TheMagic5 by using the link: www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited Get a personalised strength and mobility programme at www.oxolt.com

This week, Beth Hogg joins to talk about how we can make the pathway to masters swimming a more attractive proposition to age group, senior and university swimmers. Such a small percentage of swimmers 'make it', but the rest can still experience the best years of their swimming lives at masters level - breaking PBs, setting records and winning medals. Get 15% off products from TheMagic5 by using the link www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited Get a personalised strength and mobility programme at www.oxolt.com

Ben Shaw has two passions: swimming and fashion. In 2022, he decided to merge the two and create his own brand, named Last Is Fast (LIF). 18 months on, he now sells a range of products including swimming caps, t-shirts, hoodies and more, through his website and at pop-up shops at swimming competitions. Ben talks about how he came to setting up his brand, how it's been going and where he plans to take it in the future. You can check out the website at www.lastisfast.co.uk Get 15% off products from TheMagic5 by using the code www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited Visit www.oxolt.com to get a personalised strength and mobility training programme

This week we go through the water with British record holder in the 200m freestyle (short course) in the 35-39 age category, James Wardle. James grew up in a swimming family and began with the club his dad had a long affiliation with spanning upwards of 40 years. James says he wasn't always the best in training as a teenager, but knew he had ability, and went on to swim with the Loughborough University team when he studied a Politics degree there. Now late 30s, swimming has become about more than racing and PBs - it's a routine and a lifestyle that keeps him feeling healthy in the body and the mind (though he still enjoys the odd PB... don't we all!). This is Through The Water With James Wardle. Get 15% off products from TheMagic5 by using the link: www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited Get a personalised strength and mobility programme at www.oxolt.com

As our masters athletes prepare to head out to Doha, Qatar, I'm joined by Amanda Heath, Olly Espinasse and Esther Iseppi before they pack their bags and fly out for competition. We preview the Worlds, find out what they're swimming, what their hopes for the competition are, and if they have any plans to be tourists whilst out in Qatar. Get 15% off a pair of goggles from TheMagic5 by using the link: www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited Head to www.oxolt.com to get a personalised strength and mobility programme

in 2004, Nigel Kube founded SwimTherapy, a technical analysis centre filming swimmers from all angles to help improve swimmers move through the water with more efficiency. Nigel was the original head coach, but that mantra has since been passed on to Jay Wilson, who has held the position for seven years. SwimTherapy, based in Leicester, UK, works with all swimmers, from age groupers, to masters, triathletes, and those looking to start from scratch. Get 15% off products from TheMagic5 by using the link: www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited Get a personalised strength and mobility programme at www.oxolt.com

This week, Kevin Pickard joins the podcast to discuss AP Race's recent Masters Grand Prix at Moorways, Derby, as well as the up and coming one at Sunderland Aquatics Centre in March. AP Race is taking a really interesting approach to competitions and is keen to see the standards raised across the board in the sport. Check out the recent competition in November last year with this behind the scenes video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYkEl_VAeu4 There's still time to sign up for the competition next month. You can enter here: https://events.aprace.club/events/masters-gp-lc-2024/ Get 15% off products from TheMagic5 by using the link: www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited Get a personalised strength and mobility programme at www.oxolt.com

Martin Bennell, of Basingstoke Bluefins, might be mid-40s, but boy is he getting quicker and quicker every year. With a number of lifetime bests last year, he is on the cusp of a British record in the 50m breaststroke and is the current European holder of the event in the 45-49 age category. Martin talks about his journey in swimming - how he's never taken it too seriously but loves the buzz of racing, and a new approach to training is helping him continue to get PBs. This is Through The Water With Martin Bennell. Get 15% off from TheMagic5 by using the link: www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited Get a personalised strength and mobility training programme from Oxolt Strength and Conditioning by heading to www.oxolt.com

This week, coach Abbie Whiting and masters swimmer Ken Flett, join the podcast to discuss how many competitions and races per year they believe is the best amount. How many competitions per year should be our 'target meets'? How many races per day is too many? Should we do sacrificial events? How many practice competitions and races should we do leading up to a target meet? Get 15% off swimming gear from TheMagic5 by using the link www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited Get a personalised strength and mobility programme from Oxolt Strength and Conditioning at www.oxolt.com

Sports Psychologist Helen Davis joins this week to talk about the different layers of goal setting and how setting them well can manifest into a healthy mindset when getting ready to race. On the flipside, poor goal setting - or no goal setting - can lead to insecurities and feeling unsure when getting ready to race. Get 15% off equipment from TheMagic5 by using the link: www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited Get personalised training programmes from Oxolt Strength and Conditioning by visiting www.oxolt.com

It's a new year, which means we're all thinking of ways that we can improve in the water in 2024. But time is of the essence, and many of us are already working at capacity. So, what can we do to improve on the sessions we already commit to, be that in the pool, gym or elsewhere? And how can we level up the other elements of our lives - such as diet and recovery - to get those marginal gains? Coach and swimmer, John Wood, joins to discuss. Get 15% off products from TheMagic5 by using the code: www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited Check out the new at-home bodyweight strength training programme from Oxolt Strength and Conditioning at www.oxolt.com

On our Christmas Special Podcast, we're joined by Rebecca Lennon, Eleanor Grimes and Jonathan Saunders. We talk about a mixture of things such as swimming-related Christmas activity, reflect on our favourite swimming events this year, and decide what our favourite Christmas songs, films and traditions are. It's a lot of fun! Rebecca is raising money for The Aplastic Anaemia Trust by taking ice baths everyday in December. Do support her, if you can, using this link: https://www.theaat.org.uk/Fundraisers/katie-and-beckys-dip-a-day-december?fbclid=IwAR0eFcuSb0wpJcqbQN10-V0vPyY0zyaV-ls4ehbz2n4JeHz2t0RMRz8FtA4 Get 15% off purchases at TheMagic5 by using the link: www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited Check out Oxolt Strength and Conditioning at www.oxolt.com

In part one... Oxolt Strength and Conditioning is launching a new at-home bodyweight training programme in the new year, and founder Nathan Oxford discusses the fundamentals of the programme - what swimmers can expect and how it will be periodised to prime them for the major competitions. In part two... Swim England's Coach of the Year, Bob Bolton, joins to talk about his surprise at receiving the award, and discusses Trafford Metro's inaugural masters open meet in May next year. Get 15% off a pair of custom-fit goggles from TheMagic5 by using the link www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited

In part two, David Westcough, Jamie McHale (first half) and John Wood (second half) join in the conversation on technology - it's worth and its overhype. Are you a fan of technology? Get 15% off goggles and more products from TheMagic5 by using the link www.themagic5.com/freestylemedia Get a tailored strength and conditioning programme from Oxolt Strength and Conditioning. Head to www.oxolt.com for more