PODCAST · sports
Effortless Swimming
by Brenton Ford
National coach and swimmer Brenton Ford dives into the latest techniques for faster swimming as he chats with Olympic swimmers, coaches and experts. The #1 source of swimming information for swimmers, triathletes and coaches.
Episodes
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Add Speed To Swim A Faster 1500m
Kelly Palace just broke the world record for the 65-69 age group in the 1500m long course freestyle, swimming 20:19 on only about 12,000 meters a week. She also broke the 400m record this summer (5:09). Kelly is a 1984 US Olympic Trials qualifier and the first woman head coach in the Southeastern...
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How to Rebuild Your Swimming from Zero (Even in Your 40s)
Returning to swimming after years away can leave you feeling exhausted, sore, and disconnected from the water. In this episode, we break down three key things that can help you rebuild your swimming and feel stronger and more comfortable in the water. You’ll learn how body position, breathing,...
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If You Want Your Swimming To ‘Click’, Do This (3 Steps) with Brenton Ford
Want your freestyle to feel easier and more efficient? In this episode, we break down 3 simple steps to help your swimming “click”—improving your body position, creating a better catch, and using the back end of your stroke for more propulsion and smoother timing. Swim faster, reduce wasted…
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Why Your SHoulder Hurts After Swimming
Shoulder pain after swimming? Your technique could be the reason. In this episode, we look at three common freestyle mistakes that can place unnecessary stress on the shoulder: an overly high elbow, crossing over the centre line, and overdoing the catch. Through clear demonstrations and…
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Deep Dive Into Freestyle Technique Mechanics with Jan Prins
In this episode, Brenton Ford interviews Jan Prins about freestyle biomechanics, stroke mechanics, and the latest technology used to analyze swimming efficiency. They explore how subtle changes in technique can significantly impact speed and performance. 00:10 Introduction to Jan Prins and his...
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Can Red Light Therapy Help Your Swimming? with Taryn Richardson
In this episode, sports dietitian and researcher Taryn Richardson dives into the science behind red light therapy, exploring its potential for recovery, performance, and overall health. She shares practical advice on device selection, optimal usage, and the science-supported benefits for athletes...
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Why You’re (Likely) Under-Fuelling And Under-Performing with Eliza Kelly
Discover the nutrition secrets that could make or break your next long swim—are you fueling properly? Swimmers and endurance athletes often overlook crucial aspects of fueling, leading to fatigue, poor recovery, and even injury. In this eye-opening episode, registered sports dietitian Eliza Kelly...
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How To Swim Freestyle With (Almost) Zero Effort
How To Swim Freestyle With (Almost) Zero Effort Want to swim freestyle with less effort while moving faster through the water? In this episode, Brenton shares the three key principles that make freestyle feel smooth and effortless: improving your balance and body position, using rotation to...
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Understanding Arm Recovery and Connection In Freestyle with Tracey Baumann
Tracey Baumann is back! Learn how better arm recovery can improve your balance, protect your shoulders, and help you swim with less effort. Tracey explains the most common mistakes that lead to shoulder pain, dropped hips, and extra drag, then shares simple drills to make your stroke smoother and...
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How to Master Open Water Pacing, Swim Anxiety, and Stroke Mechanics with Brenton Ford
In this episode, I join the TriVelo Podcast to share my approach to swimming faster and more efficiently in open water. We discuss where to focus first when improving your stroke, the differences between galloping and balanced swim styles, why I believe many triathletes kick harder than they need...
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Lessons From 250 English Channel Crossings with Tim Denyer
Most marathon swimmers would overlook the critical role of mental resilience—until they’re fighting waves, exhaustion, and doubt in real time. Tim Denya, an elite coach with over 250 English Channel crossings, reveals the unspoken truth: mental strength is just as vital as physical endurance in...
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7 Rules From 10 Years Coaching Pro Triathletes
What separates the fastest triathletes from everyone else in the water? In this episode, I share the seven biggest swimming lessons I’ve learned from coaching professional triathletes over the past decade. We dive into body rotation, kicking, using your lats effectively, increasing stroke rate,...
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Chasing the Chill: Understanding the Attraction Of Cold Water with Chris Balllard
Most people assume ice swimming is just for the crazy or extreme athletes — but what if it’s really a gateway to resilience, mental clarity, and community? In this episode, journalist and ice swimming champion Chris Ballard reveals how daring to step into freezing water can transform your mind,...
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2:30/100m to the 1:40’s with Sandra Surkamp
How do you break through a swimming plateau when it feels like you’ve already tried everything? In this episode, I sit down with Sandra Surkamp to discuss her incredible swimming journey—from struggling to swim 25 meters without stopping to swimming comfortably in open water and dropping her pace...
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He Quit His Job & Is Now Chasing His Father’s World Record
Join Adam Wilkie as he embarks on a year-long challenge to honor his Olympic champion father by attempting to match his legendary 2:15 record in the 200-meter breaststroke. Despite limited swimming experience, Adam has quit his job to train full-time, proving that dedication can make the…
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This Video Will Find You Right Before Your Next Breakthrough
Stuck at the same swimming speed? In this episode, we break down how to smash through your training plateaus by fixing the “bottlenecks” in your technique. Drawing from 19 years of coaching experience, we share the exact step-by-step checklist to optimize your stroke: reducing drag through…
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The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming
In this episode, I sit down with Grant to share what I’ve learned over nearly two decades of coaching and racing in both pool and open water environments, including qualifying for Open Water Nationals as an adult. We explore the gap between pool-perfect technique and what actually works in real...
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Swim Technique Hierarchy of Needs
I recently joined the That Triathlon Show Podcast with Mikael Eriksson for a deep dive into freestyle technique and what I call the “swim technique hierarchy of needs.” In this conversation, we break down the key elements of efficient swimming including breathing, body position, rotation, catch...
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It Sucks, But It Will Make Swimming Feel Easy
Why does swimming feel so hard after just a short break from the pool? In this episode, we talk about the importance of consistency in swimming and why regular time in the water is the key to feeling faster, smoother, and more comfortable. We also cover how drills like front scull can help…
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Once You Ignore Your Watch, You’ll Get Faster
What if the key to swimming faster is actually ignoring your watch? In this episode, we explore how constantly checking pace, splits, and stats can take swimmers out of the moment and disconnect them from the feel of the water. Learn why being present during training can improve technique, effort...
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Secrets To Fast Freestyle with Steph Clutterbuck
In this episode, we sit down with professional triathlete Steph Clutterbuck to break down the real secrets behind efficient freestyle swimming. Instead of grinding harder in the water, Steph explains how better technique—especially rotation, body position, and connection—can dramatically improve...
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How To Conquer The English Channel When You Live In The Desert with Brendan Cullen
In this episode, Brendan Cullen recounts his remarkable transformation from a non-swimmer to successfully completing the demanding English Channel swim. He reflects on how mental resilience, disciplined training, and a strong sense of community support helped him overcome one of the world’s...
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Why You’ve Been Taught To Over-Rotate with Brenton Ford
One of the most common things I see in newer swimmers… is how flat they are in the water. Their hips are flat, their shoulders are flat — and what ends up happening is they just spin their wheels. They’re putting in a lot of effort with the arms, kicking hard with the legs… but […] The post Why...
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Why You’re Not Faster After Working On Your Catch with Brenton Ford
You’ve probably heard it before — your freestyle catch is everything. And maybe you’ve been working on it. You’ve improved the position, you feel stronger in the water, and technically… it looks better. But here’s the frustrating part — you’re still not getting any faster. So what’s going on?...
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How This Swimmer Got Faster, Without Working Harder with Brenton Ford
If you feel like getting faster in the water means you just have to work harder… push more… suffer more… there’s a good chance you’re taking the wrong approach. Because here’s what most swimmers think: if you’re stuck swimming 1:45 or 1:50 per 100 freestyle, and you’re aiming for 1:30… the only…
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The Real Reason You Are Out Of Breathe with Brenton Ford
If you’ve been swimming for six months or more, but you still run out of breath after 50 meters, this episode is for you. 28:00 Running Out Of Breath 40:00 Humming When You Exhaling 01:43 When To Exhale 02:10 Kicking Transform your freestyle to be effortless and smooth with online video analysis:...
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Only 6 Swimmers In History Have Done This with Sam Short
So what does he do that 99.999% of swimmers don’t? How is he able to swim this fast? I’ve spent my career analyzing the best swimmers in the world, but watching Sam swim up close is a completely different experience. I’ve never seen anyone hold as much water as he does, even at world-record pace....
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I’m Now 8 Seconds Quicker Per 100m
Six months of consistent training. You’re showing up to the pool. You’re doing the sets. You’re putting in the work. But your times… haven’t moved. You’re still sitting at 1:50, maybe two minutes per hundred, and no matter how hard you train, it just doesn’t seem to change. And that can be one of...
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If Your Arm Collapses When You Breathe, Do This with Brenton Ford
Last month, a 39-year-old swimmer joined our weekly coaching members call. She was training for her first Ironman. She’d been swimming for about a year—consistent, disciplined, three sessions a week, following her program exactly as written. But there was a problem. She was exhausted after every...
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Don’t Be Prey: The 10-Year Battle to Reclaim a Life with Mark Sowerby
What would drive someone to voluntarily swim through the most dangerous ocean channels on the planet — no wetsuit, no cage, no way out except forward? In this episode, we sit down with Mark Sowerby, one of the few athletes in the world to complete the Ocean’s Seven — often described as the…
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The Catch Timing Secret Olympians Use
You can watch someone swim in real time and miss it completely. But slow the video down, frame by frame, and suddenly it’s obvious. Every fast swimmer has this. A lot of slower swimmers don’t. And when you fix this one timing detail, it doesn’t just make you smoother—it feels like someone just...
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The Breathing Fix That Dropped My Time 12 Seconds
I watched a swimmer fix one breathing mistake and drop 12 seconds per 100 meters—not in four months, but in four weeks. No extra fitness. No added training volume. Just one specific change in how she breathed. That single adjustment took her from 1:48 per 100 down to 1:36 per 100. In this…
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How I qualified for the Nationals (at 38 years old)
At 20 years old, I missed qualifying for the National Championships by three hundredths of a second in the 50 backstroke. Fast-forward 18 years, and at 38, I qualified for Nationals in the five-kilometer open-water swim—training mostly just three times a week. In this episode, I’m breaking down...
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The 5 Core Principles Of Fast Freestyle (#5 – Find Your Rhythm And Timing)
Today, we are talking about the 5th and final Core Principle of Fast Freestyle: find your rhythm and timing. 00:36 The Dancing Part Of Freestyle 01:13 Kick Timing 04:35 Use Different Types Of Kick 10:33 Serape Effect 13:35 Hand Speed 14:07 Split Tempo 17:54 Drills 19:22 8 Week Faster Freestyle...
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The 5 Core Principles Of Fast Freestyle (#4 – Develop An Effective Catch And Pull)
In today’s episode, we will be discussing the core principle number four of Fast Freestyle, which is developing an effective catch and pull. 01:40 No Need To Overpower The Catch 03:07 Teaching The Four Key Positions 04:00 Start Of The Catch 06:00 High Elbow Catch 07:35 Power Diamond Position…
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The 5 Core Principles Of Fast Freestyle (#3-Rock, Return And Align)
Today, we are talking about the third core principle of Fast freestyle which is Rock, Return And Align. 00:36 Rock v.s. Rolling 02:15 Return 03:24 Correct Entry 06:08 Align Join a camp: https://effortlessswimming.com/camps/ Try the new Nanoclear Anti-fog Goggles: https://bit.ly/nanocleargoggles...
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The 5 Core Principles Of Fast Freestyle (#2 Find Your Balance)
In today’s episode we’re looking at Core Principle Number 2. This principle is all about minimizing drag. Here are the three things that we covered on this principle. 01:46 Proud Posture 05:06 Taut Core 9:00 Effective Kick Join a camp: https://effortlessswimming.com/camps/ Try the new Nanoclear...
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The 5 Core Principle Of Fast Freestyle (#1 Breathe Deep And Relax)
01:45 Use Your Diaphragm 02:29 Breathing Exercises Out Of The Water 03:42 Box Breathing 04:04 Relax Your Chest And Upper Back 05:38 Having The Right Posture 06:52 Letting Go When You Exhale Join a camp: https://effortlessswimming.com/camps/ Try the new Nanoclear Anti-fog Goggles:...
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10 Ways To Increase Your Swim Speed
In this episode, I’ll share ten ways to increase your swim speed and become a better swimmer. So, let’s dive in and explore these effective strategies. 00:35 Train Another Stroke 01:56 Change The Way That You’re Training 03:10 Being Diligent With Your Skills 05:12 To Become Supple 05:59 Joining a...
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What does 1:05/100m for 2 hours look like? with Nick Sloman
Imagine holding a 1:05 pace per hundred for nearly two hours—no walls, no turns, just pure precision. Every stroke efficient, every breath controlled. How do you sustain that kind of speed without breaking down? What should your catch feel like? And how do you stay smooth when the ocean, the…
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Why Most Swimmers Run Out Of Air In Flip Turns
If you’re someone who avoids flip turns—or you’re completely out of breath every time you try one—chances are, it’s not your fitness holding you back. It’s your technique. In this episode, I’m breaking down a simple, step-by-step method to help you master the tumble turn, so you can actually save...
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Why Your Arm Drops When You Breathe
Struggling with your arm dropping whenever you take a breath in freestyle? You’re not alone—and there are five common reasons this happens. In this episode, we break down each cause, show you exactly how to fix them, and help you transform your breathing technique. By the end, you’ll swim farther...
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5 Freestyle Fixes That Actually Work
There are so many different things you can do to get faster in your freestyle. In this episode, I’m gonna break down five proven ways that you can swim faster for less effort. Let’s get into it. 00:26 Point Your Toes Inwards (42% Faster) 2:07 Don’t Pat A Cat 3:19 Press On Your Chest To […] The…
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Reduce Your Stroke Count From 50 To 40 Strokes
If you’re taking 50 strokes a lap but should be in the low 40s, the issue might be your body connection — not your strength. In this episode, we explore how elite swimmer Becca Mann fixed her “shoulders and hips not connected” problem, dropped her stroke count by nearly 20%, and became a...
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Which Freestyle Kick Is Best? with Brenton Ford
If you’ve ever been confused about the different types of freestyle kicks — two-beat, four-beat, and six-beat — this episode is for you. I’ll break down what each kick pattern means, how to do them correctly, and when to use each one in your own freestyle to improve efficiency, rhythm, and speed…
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How Much Can Your Swimming Improve In 2 Years? with Brian Hans
Two years ago, Brian Hans was swimming 2:00 per 100 yards—struggling to find rhythm and wondering if he’d ever feel smooth in the water. Fast forward to now, he’s cruising under 1:30s and just placed 9th out of 171 in his Half Ironman swim. How did he make that kind of jump? What changes in […]…
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12 (unusual) lessons from Michael Phelps’ coach
Bob Bowman — the legendary coach behind Michael Phelps and Leon Marchand — was recently on the Exponential Athlete Podcast, and listening to that episode completely changed the way I think about swimming. In today’s episode, I’m going to share with you 12 powerful ideas I learned from that...
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Exhausted After One Lap? 5 Ways To Swim Forever
If you find yourself gasping for air after just one lap in the pool, this episode is for you. After coaching nearly 10,000 swimmers over the past 19 years, I’ve discovered that mastering your breathing is one of the quickest ways to transform your swimming. In this episode, I’ll show you how to...
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Transform Your Catch In 17 Minutes with Brenton Ford
The freestyle catch is one of the most confusing parts of the stroke — and that’s exactly why so many swimmers either avoid it or get it completely wrong. In this episode, we’ll break down what the catch actually is, how to do it right, and why it’s the key to real propulsion in your […] The post...
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12 Ways To Make Your Swimming Unrecognizable In The Next 12 Months with Brenton and Tas
In this episode, Brenton and Tas discuss the key takeaways from their recent training camp in the Maldives. They cover essential themes such as identifying bottlenecks in swimming technique, the importance of community support, overcoming self-doubt, and the significance of consistency in…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
National coach and swimmer Brenton Ford dives into the latest techniques for faster swimming as he chats with Olympic swimmers, coaches and experts. The #1 source of swimming information for swimmers, triathletes and coaches.
HOSTED BY
Brenton Ford
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Effortless Swimming have?
Effortless Swimming currently has 500 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Effortless Swimming about?
National coach and swimmer Brenton Ford dives into the latest techniques for faster swimming as he chats with Olympic swimmers, coaches and experts. The #1 source of swimming information for swimmers, triathletes and coaches.
How often does Effortless Swimming release new episodes?
Effortless Swimming publishes regularly with 500 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Effortless Swimming?
You can listen to Effortless Swimming on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Effortless Swimming?
Effortless Swimming is created and hosted by Brenton Ford.
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