#157: Channelling History by Sprinting to Success

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.

In this episode of the Master Swimming Podcast, Helen Gorman interviews Professor Greg Whyte, a world-renowned sports physiologist and master swimmer. They discuss the progression in swimming and human performance in general, the importance of sports science, and how aging can be managed through proper training and nutrition.The conversation emphasises the significance of enjoyment in sports and the importance of maintaining muscle mass and strength as we age.Greg shares his Olympic Modern Pentathlon memories, masters swimming experiences and insights from his experiences working with BBC Comic Relief – including whether comedians can maintain their humour when they’re taking on an epic physical challenge.

In this episode of the Masters Swimming Podcast, host Helen Gorman speaks to professional triathlete, Andy Horsfall-Turner about his journey from being a distance swimmer to a professional triathlete. Andy is a Level 3 swimming and triathlon coach with experience of coaching junior, senior and masters swimmers as well as triathletes.Andy underlines that anyone taking part in sport as an adult needs to have a strong passion for what they are doing if they want to be successful, and that there’s no getting away from volume training if you’re a distance swimmer.They discuss the advantages swimmers have in triathlon, the challenges of transitioning to being a professional athlete, and the importance of periodising training and recovery – which apply to both masters swimmers and triathletes.Andy shares insights on coaching, motivation, and the economic opportunities available in triathlon compared to swimming. The conversation highlights the dedication and passion required to be successful in both sports.

We invite three more swimmers into the studio to tell their stories from the World Aquatics Masters Championships in Singapore. Matthew Brooks, Jo Corben and Kath Tunnicliffe present different perspectives on their performances, travel adventures and the event in general. Hear about Matthew's insanely fast relay split as well as his championship record setting 50m freestyle in the 35-39 age group, and listen to Jo talk about how having team mates around helped elevate her performances to claim four gold medals in the 55-59 age group.Kath Tunnicliffe concludes with stories of adventure and how she turned four fourth place finishes in the 70-74 age group into a stunning silver medal on the final day of the championships.Hosted by Helen Gorman.

In this celebratory 150th episode of the Master Swimming Podcast, hosts Helen Gorman and Joe Malone reflect on three years of the show, and the recent World Masters Championships in Singapore. Guests John Chambers, Verity Dobbie and Dom Polling add their perspectives on success in Singapore - which was one of the best Championships to date with fantastic pools, incredible swimmers and an amazing host city.

We speak to Nathan Oxford about shoulder health and injury prevention in masters swimmers. He explains the importance of recovery, prehab, and strength training in preventing injuries, as well as key exercises to build shoulder resilience and improve performance in the pool. He emphasises the need for consistent prehab routines and the significance of assessing shoulder function to maintain health and performance in swimming - and offers some free resources to help identify areas for development.Nathan is a friend of the show, former international swimmer, a qualified strength and conditioning coach and a Great Britain international powerlifter.

Helen Gorman chats to Lara Ferguson, a Scottish three-time Paralympic swimmer and current Masters swimmer in the 45-49 age group. They discuss Lara's journey from her early days in competitive swimming to her international experiences, including winning two Paralympic medals at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. Lara shares insights into the classification system for para-athletes, her transition to Masters swimming, and her current training regime. The conversation also touches on the future of para swimming within the Masters framework, the new age adjusted points system for para swimmers and the importance of inclusivity in the sport.