The Effortless Swimming Podcast

#438 : How To Swim Freestyle With (Almost) Zero Effort with Brenton Ford

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 maximize efficiency, and timing your stroke and kick so your whole body works together. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced swimmer looking to conserve energy, these simple technique adjustments can help you swim farther, faster, and with much less effort.   00:35 The #1 Secret: Let the Water Hold You Up 01:12 Head Position for Better Balance 02:48 Use Your Lungs to Improve Buoyancy 04:18 Step 2: Rotate for an Effortless Stroke 05:04 Relax Your Recovery 07:29 Step 3: Master Your Stroke Timing 11:42 Beginner vs Faster Freestyle Programs

#437 : 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. She breaks down the most common mistakes that lead to shoulder pain, dropped hips, and extra drag, then shares simple drills to help you swim smoother and more efficiently. We'll also share details about the Melbourne swim clinic we're running together on October 25. Tune in now! 00:33 Meet Tracey Baumann 01:47 Why Recovery Matters 05:24 Common Recovery Mistakes 08:54 One Unit Recovery Cue 11:23 Elite Examples: Sam Short13:26 Fixing High Elbow Myths19:11 Wetsuit Shoulder Tips22:15 Connection Through the Core 34:01 Build Length From the Wall 34:43 Clinic Announcement Melbourne36:18 Where to Find Tracy

#436 : 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 to, and practical ways to stay calm and confident when racing in open water. We also dive into my thoughts on the Enhanced Games and the journey behind developing NanoClear anti-fog goggles to solve one of the biggest frustrations swimmers face. A big thanks to Gerard Donnelly and Jordan Donnelly from TriVelo Coaching for having me on the podcast. If you're a triathlete looking to train smarter and race faster, be sure to check out TriVelo Coaching. 0:11 – The starting priority for your stroke 2:09 – Analyzing Open Water galloping action 5:21 – Why you shouldn't swim like a speedboat 6:59 – The secret to fixing dragging legs 8:27 – Which Pro Athlete Has The Style To Copy? 11:33 – The kicking mistake costing you more time 15:00 – How to simulate open water in the pool 24:13 – How to sight without breaking your rhythm 27:50 – The recovery adjustment for choppy water 31:04 – Where to apply power in the pull 36:14 – Threshold sets to build raw durability 39:41 – Overcoming physical panic and hyperventilation 45:15 – Shifting your mindset on the beach 51:38 – Our honest thoughts on the Enhanced Games 56:13 – Designing a fog-free goggle

#435 : 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 conquering ocean swims. In this episode, Tim unpacks the training secrets behind his staggering success rate, emphasizing how strategic mental preparation and clear communication turn tentative swimmers into ocean conquerors. Discover why long-distance swim training isn't just about logging kilometers but about pushing the mind and body to new limits—all while maintaining focus, confidence, and calm amidst chaos. 00:00 Introduction to Marathon Swimming and Tim Denya 02:51 Training Camps: Preparing for Marathon Swims 05:17 The Balance of Physical and Mental Training 08:25 Technique vs. Conditioning in Swimming 11:20 The Importance of Trust in Coaching 14:20 Managing Expectations and Anxiety in Swimmers 17:01 The Role of Purpose in Endurance Swimming 20:03 Adapting Training to Individual Needs 22:48 Evolution of Coaching Philosophies 25:43 The Importance of Nutrition in Training 28:19 Documentary Insights and Storytelling in Swimming 36:27 The Importance of Connection in Coaching 39:14 Empathy and Trust in Coaching 44:17 Navigating Challenges During Long Swims 50:30 The Art of Coaching: Balancing Emotion and Objectivity 57:35 Learning from the Best: Insights from Elite Swimmers 01:06:11 Continuous Learning and Adaptation in Coaching

#434 : 7 Rules From 10 Years Coaching Pro Triathletes with Brenton Ford

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, breathing strategies, and the open water skills that can help you outperform faster pool swimmers. Whether you're training for your first triathlon or chasing a new personal best, these practical coaching insights will help you swim faster while saving energy for the bike and run.   00:25 Rule #1 – Rotate Enough for an Easy Recovery 01:59 Rule #2 – Your Kick Matters More Than You Think 03:31 Rule #3 – Your Lats Are More Important Than Your Catch 06:32 Rule #4 – Increase Stroke Rate the Right Way 08:11 Rule #5 – Learn to Swim Hard for Longer 10:52 Rule #6 – Your Hips Are the Engine Room 11:44 Rule #7 – Breathe as Often as You Need 13:09 Bonus Rule – Open Water Skills Beat Pure Speed 14:56 Free Freestyle Technique Checklist