#163: From zero to 49 second 100m freestyle hero!

Imagine doing just five months of training and breaking 50 seconds for the 100m freestyle? That’s exactly what Arran Francis did and he’s now one of the most exciting new faces on the masters swimming scene. Helen Gorman tracked him down to find out more.Arran talks through why joining Trafford Swimming Club was the best decision he’s made this year and what he hopes to achieve from here.He’s also a high achiever in the business world, managing three YouTube channels and commentating daily on eSports and Formula One. Arran explains his work and discusses the similarities and differences between gaming, motor sports and swimming.

This week, we meet Reg Lloyd, who shares his journey from elite swimming to managing type 1 diabetes and finding unexpected joy in masters swimming.He discusses the highs that earned him a stunning personal best time of 1 minute 46.1 for the 200m freestyle and securing a place at the National Performance Centre in Stirling to the significant health challenges that ended his elite swimming career. He discusses the training methods that have shaped his mindset and underlines the importance of good friends.As a key part of relay teams with TheSwimSuitGuy (Sonny Trigg), Reg has broken multiple masters world records, but the most important dynamic has been the fun and motivation that comes from being part of a team.Hosted by Helen Gorman.

Host Helen Gorman chats to Fleur and Spencer Turner, a well-known and very high achieving couple in the British Masters swimming community. They discuss their experiences at the US Masters Championships in Federal Way this summer, their achievements (including world record breaking relays), and the dynamics of being a competitive family. We also look at the structure of their Basingstoke Bluefins club, and Spencer’s role as a coach and administrator. They share insights on training, the importance of teamwork, and their future goals.

After coaching Trafford to the Top Club award for the fourth year in a row, Bob Bolton joins Helen Gorman to review the National Masters Championships in Sheffield. Discussion covers record breaking swims, notable performers and unique insight into training and racing.Don’t miss this fun and insightful look at the Championships, which saw 17 world records smashed.Bob also looks at the overall success and future of the event given his position on the Masters Working Group.

George Taplin joins the Masters Swimming Podcast to discuss his record-breaking end-to-end swim in Lake Windermere. George has a unique perspective on ecology and cleaning up our waterways given his full-time employment in the water industry. George grew up training with Olympic champion, Tom Dean in Maidenhead and now lives, trains and works full time in Leeds. He swam Windermere’s 10.5miles at an average pace of 1:09 per 100m to break the record for swimming the length of England’s longest lake. He shares insights on pacing, fuelling, and the psychological aspects of endurance swimming. Visit Allen’s of Kingsbury to update your swimsuits and gear: https://www.allensswimwear.co.uk. Use discount code MastersPod for 10% discount – code valid until 14/11/25 on full priced items.

Sonny Trigg, the one and only SwimSuitGuy, joins Helen Gorman to preview the 2025 National Masters Short Course Championships in Sheffield.From record contenders to legendary names and inspiring competitors, we explore the stories behind the swimmers who refuse to slow down.And even if you’re not planning to be poolside in Sheffield, there’s plenty of swim talk, insider gossip, and a splash of humour to keep you entertained from the first whistle to the final touch.

In this episode of the Masters Swimming Podcast, mother and daughter duo, Heidi and Vivien Bell-West, share their experiences along with their family legacy connected to Captain Matthew Webb, the first person to swim the English Channel. Preferring to sprint rather than swim long distances, Heidi has won global medals and set new national records this year in the 55-59 category. Vivien, a mum of nine children, relies on 80 years’ experience of participation and coaching, and regular gardening, to keep her speed up. This delightful conversation also covers early years swimming in Jamacia, being a swim-mad family and training in Australia for several months of the year. Heidi and Vivien will compete together at the National Short Course Championships and offer valuable advice for those considering entering the world of masters swimming. Presented by Helen Gorman. Visit Allen’s of Kingsbury to update your swimsuits and gear: https://www.allensswimwear.co.uk Use discount code MastersPod for 10% discount – code valid until 14/11/25 on full priced items.

In this episode of the Master Swimming Podcast, host Helen Gorman speaks with Chris Harris, a sports scientist from Precision Fuel and Hydration, about the importance of hydration for swimmers. They discuss how sweat rates differ in swimming compared to land sports, the role of electrolytes, and effective hydration strategies. Chris explains the impact of dehydration on performance, the causes of muscle cramps, and the effects of caffeine on hydration levels and athletic performance. The conversation also touches on hydration needs for different age groups and the importance of listening to your body regarding thirst and hydration. Link to Precision Fuel & Hydration: https://www.precisionhydration.com Knowledge Hub: https://www.precisionhydration.com/performance-advice/ Book a free consultation: https://www.precisionhydration.com/book-a-video-consultation/

What happens when your shoulder suddenly goes ping, and the only way back to the pool is through surgery? For many swimmers, years of relentless arm rotations can take their toll, leading to chronic overuse injuries.In this episode, record-breaking masters swimmers Nicola Latty and Eddie Riach discuss their journeys through surgery, rehab, and the determination it takes to return to training and racing at a high level.From navigating expert medical advice to staying mentally resilient, they share insights into the setbacks, small victories, and smart training adjustments that shaped their comebacks. Whether you’re a swimmer facing similar challenges or simply intrigued to hear their stories, this conversation offers inspiration and practical takeaways for the next time life throws the unexpected at you.

In this episode of The Masters Swimming Podcast, Helen Gorman speaks to Jeff Commings, a Masters World Champion and former USA National Team swimmer. They cover everything from being thrown into the water as a four-year-old to getting a full scholarship at the University of Texas and breaking masters world records.He has overcome personal challenges, including being a black, gay swimmer in college in the 1990s and more recently, cancer surgery – and he talks about his autobiography, 'Odd Man Out.'Jeff shares experiences from his time training under legendary coach Eddie Reese, working as a journalist, the transition to Masters swimming and his cancer recovery.