Social Kick • Swim Culture & Stories

In this episode of Social Kick, Bryan and the crew sit down with one of the hottest "free agents" in NCAA swimming: Julian Koch. After an explosive sophomore season at Pitt that saw him jump from a non-qualifier to a top seed in the 100 Freestyle A-Final, Julian has officially entered the transfer portal. Julian breaks down the "overwhelming" 48 hours after his name hit the portal, his recent visits to powerhouses like Texas, Florida, and Tennessee, and the 20-pound muscle transformation that fueled his 40.4 100 Freestyle. We also dive into his international background—growing up in Dubai, Paris, and Qatar—and why he represents Germany on the international stage. Whether it’s discussing NIL value, his newfound obsession with Hacky Sack, or the 800 IM "worst set ever" from his club days, Julian provides a raw and insightful look at the life of a modern elite collegiate swimmer.

In this episode of Social Kick, Olympic swimmer David Johnston opens up about his recent decision to transfer from Texas to Florida, diving deep into the realities of navigating the transfer portal, and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals in collegiate swimming. He candidly shares his struggles with a debilitating shoulder injury, his relentless drive to return to the sport he loves, and his ultimate goal for the 2028 Olympics. They discuss everything from what it means to “outwork” the competition, adapting to a new coaching style, and the mindset needed to overcome intense physical and mental setbacks. Listen in as David gets honest about what’s next and why he believes his best swimming is still ahead of him!