The Effortless Swimming Podcast

By: Brenton Ford
  • Summary

  • 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.
    Effortless Swimming
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Episodes
  • #365 : The Art & Science Of Coaching Swimming with Nick Winkleman
    Jan 16 2025

    Have you ever felt like you know what to do, but you're just not sure how to make it happen? Whether you're an athlete looking to unlock better performance or a coach wanting to make lasting impact. Today's episode is for you. Our guest is Nick Winkelman, author of The Language of Coaching, a groundbreaking book on how the right words can transform how you move.

    Train and perform. Nick has worked with elite athletes and coaches around the world. And today he's sharing the secrets of using cues, analogies, and storytelling to spark real lasting change. In this episode, we'll cover how the words you hear or tell yourself can supercharge your improvement. Why using the right cues can make your stroke smoother, your technique sharper, and your training more effective, and the power of storytelling to break down barriers, shift mindsets, and help find your edge.

    And it's not just for coaches. This is about understanding your own journey. Nick's insights will help you spot what's holding you back and how to focus your energy where it really counts. Whether you're looking to shave seconds off your swim, find more confidence in the way that you're moving or performing, or learn to enjoy the process of getting better.

    This episode is packed with a heap of takeaways that you can use in the pool and beyond.

    The Start Of Language of Coaching
    How My Role As A Coach Is Making An Impact
    Internal And External Cues
    How Often Do You Repeat The Analogy?
    Nothing Seems To Stick
    Storytelling Technique
    Writing The Book

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    46 mins
  • #364 : The Game Of Racing with Dudley Duncan
    Jan 10 2025

    I'm thrilled to bring back Bobby McGee, a legendary endurance coach with a knack for unlocking an athlete's full potential. But before we dive in, let me tell you a story about one of Bobby's transformative experiences.

    Imagine this, a room filled with some of the world's top Olympic coaches from sports as diverse as gymnastics, field hockey, and bobsledding. Bobby found himself immersed in conversations that challenged his perspective and sharpened his skills. And it wasn't just about technique or training plans. It was about understanding people on a deeper level.

    And this experience opened Bobby's eyes to the power of emotional intelligence in coaching and performance. It's something he's applied ever since. And in today's episode, Bobby shares some of the lessons he learned in that room. How understanding yourself and your coach can unlock new levels of performance and trust, and why mastering pacing strategies is crucial for success, and how fine tuning your mechanics can help you move more efficiently.

    It's a fascinating conversation filled with a lot of actionable advice, and whether you're a swimmer, a runner, a triathlete, I've got no doubt you'll take away a lot from this episode with Olympic run coach, Bobby McGee. Let's get into it.


    Coaching Concepts
    Athlete Profiling: Understanding Each Individual Athlete
    Emotional Analysis
    Building Trust
    Coaching Philosophies
    Coaching Olympic Level Athletes and Mid-Range Athletes
    Hardness Factor
    Thrive Mentality
    You've Got To Have That Killer Mentality
    Identifying Inefficiency
    Looking More Into Conditioning in Swimming
    Breathing Technique In Running
    Stroke Length and Stroke Rate
    Pacing and Energy Conservation
    Visualization

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    1 hr and 29 mins
  • #363 : The Game Of Racing with Dudley Duncan
    Jan 8 2025

    In today's episode, I'm speaking with Dudley Duncan, a seasoned coach and author of The Art of Swimming and The Game of Racing. Dudley has spent years refining his approach to swimming and he's sharing some incredible insights that will help you improve both your mindset and your technique in the water.

    We cover stroke mechanics, the power of visualization to boost your performance, and strategies to build confidence so that you feel stronger and more capable every time you swim. Dudley also talks about how to balance hard work with mental toughness, giving you practical tips to stay motivated and achieve your goals.

    Whether you're training for a big race, or just looking to swim smoother and faster, this episode is packed with ideas to help you take your swimming to the next level. Let's dive in.

    02:22 How Did You Get Into the World Of Swimming
    05:40 Philosophy in Developing Personal Growth of Swimmers
    08:02 Setting Standards
    09:00 Pulling People Back In The Line
    11:28 Pushing Athletes To Their Limit
    14:20 Philosophy in Developing Good Technique
    19:59 Kayak Analogy
    21:43 Drills
    26:42 Visualization
    35:22 Developing Confidence
    38:13 Dealing with Failure
    40:48 Advise to New Coaches

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    44 mins

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