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Molly Renshaw recently announced her retirement from competitive swimming after a career, that included two appearances at the Olympic Games, and titles at European and World Short Course Championships. In this episode, Molly opens up about her decision to retire and the emotions that came with it, as well as reflecting on some of the highlights of her swimming career. We delve into her training regime, the ups and downs of competing at the highest level, and the sacrifices she made to reach the pinnacle of her sport. Molly also shares with us some insights into the mental and physical challenges of being an elite swimmer, and the strategies she used to stay focused and motivated throughout her career, especially when dealing with plateaus in performance. --------------------- For more on retirement listen to our podcast special on retirement from swimming --------------------- Review, subscribe, share on Anchor, Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts --------------------- Connect on social: - Twitter  @pullbuoy - Instagram  @pullbuoyuk - Facebook @pullbuoyuk - YouTube --------------------- Episode Artwork: Andrea Stacciloli/LEN/Deepbluemedia

Imogen Clark, the pullbuoy female swimmer of the year for 2022, occupies a bit of an unusual niche in British Swimming as a world class performer often locked out of the major meets by the focus on Olympic events. In this podcast she reveals the frustration that entails, but also how her focus has changed in response, while we also discuss a year that she feels was the best of her career. It was a season that took Imogen to the Commonwealth Games, the European Championships and the Melbourne World Short course championships, giving her the taste for international competition. And it wasn't without success - with medals in Birmingham and Rome and British records both long and short course for the 50m breaststroke. We also talk about her return to Derventio Excel, the club where she first made her name, and how the ISL kept her swimming. --------------------- Review, subscribe, share on Anchor, Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts --------------------- Connect on social: - Twitter  @pullbuoy - Instagram  @pullbuoyuk - Facebook @pullbuoyuk - YouTube --------------------- Episode Artwork: ISL/Deepbluemedia

If you've listed to the pullbuoy podcast at all over the past few years you will have often herd debate about why, for all its success in the pool, GB has been flagging in distance events and isn't currently living up to the standards of the past. In an effort to find out why this is and what is being done about it, Steve and Bob went to he man charged with turning the tanker around - British Swimming distance lead Kevin Renshaw. A 3 time Olympic team coach who coached David Davies to 10km silver in Beijing, Kevin knows a thing or two about distance swimming and shares with us some of the initiatives being put in place to try and return Britain to the distance podium. --------------------- Review, subscribe, share on Anchor, Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts --------------------- Connect on social: - Twitter  @pullbuoy - Instagram  @pullbuoyuk - Facebook @pullbuoyuk - YouTube ---------------------

Having reached her mid-twenties and with the disruption of a pandemic throwing everyone’s plans into disarray, Bella Hindley could have been forgiven for thinking her international swimming career had come to a conclusion before it had even started. But she persevered and this year made her senior international debut at the Commonwealth Games for England as well as being selected to race for GB at the World Short Course Championships. In this episode of the pullbuoy podcast, Bella takes us through her route to international swimming, a journey that took in the NCAAs, the pro group at Tennesse and the ISL, the latter achieved by the use of social media. Now installed at the Loughborough Performance Centre, we also discuss where her sights are set for the future. --------------------- Review, subscribe, share on Anchor, Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts --------------------- Connect on social: - Twitter  @pullbuoy - Instagram  @pullbuoyuk - Facebook @pullbuoyuk - YouTube --------------------- Episode Artwork: Mine Kasapoglu/ISL

The longest summer of international swimming in living memory came to a close in fine style at the European Championships in Rome. It was a decent showing for GB, including golds for Ben Proud and James Wilby, but the biggest story was of course the 100m freestyle world record from David Popvici. Steve, Katie and Bob reconvene for the final podcast of the season and consider all of the above, plus there’s time to answer a number of listener questions. We've thoroughly enjoyed this summer's run of meets, we hope you have enjoyed following along with us. With no ISL this year, there's no London Roar podcast, but we will be back soon. Keep your eyes on social media and subscribe so you don't miss out. --------------------- Review, subscribe, share on Anchor, Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts --------------------- Episode Artwork: LEN --------------------- Connect on social: - Twitter  @pullbuoy - Instagram  @pullbuoyuk - Facebook @pullbuoyuk - YouTube

The last few years have been challenging for Lewis Burras with many mental and physical ups and downs as he sought to find his place in the swimming world. After a few false dawns mixed with some very low periods he found a kindred spirit in coach Zoe Baker and from there has kicked on to have an impressive breakthrough season in 2022.  It’s one that has taken him to a new long course British Record over 100m freestyle and to three silver medals at the Commonwealth Games. In this episode of the pullbuoy podcast Lewis explains how working with a sports psychologist and a change of mindset towards being accountable for his own performance has allowed him to deliver in the water. --------------------- Review, subscribe, share on Anchor, Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts --------------------- Connect on social: - Twitter  @pullbuoy - Instagram  @pullbuoyuk - Facebook @pullbuoyuk - YouTube --------------------- Episode Artwork: Georgie Kerr/British Swimming

It was a tremendously exciting week of racing in Birmingham at the Commonwealth Games, which generated a fantastic atmosphere in the sparkly new Sandwell Aquatic centre. It was as usual a display of Australian strength in the pool but the home nations acquitted themselves well. On this review podcast, Steve and Katie consider events in the pool from the dominance of Ben Proud to the extensive medal winning exploits of Tom Dean, the finest farewell that Ross Murdoch could have wished for and much more. Also on the agenda was the Australian women's fearsome freestyle contingent, the Kyle Chalmers media storm, and some bizarre medley relay goings on. --------------------- Get more Games memories here: Commonwealth Games Memories | pullbuoy Our London Roar Podcast episode with Kyle and Emma is here: London Roar Podcast Episode 11 – Emma McKeon and Kyle Chalmers | pullbuoy --------------------- Review, subscribe, share on Anchor, Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts --------------------- Connect on social: - Twitter  @pullbuoy - Instagram  @pullbuoyuk - Facebook @pullbuoyuk - YouTube

To say that the difference between Hannah Miley's experiences at the Commonwealth Games of 2010 and 2014 is huge is not an understatement. While the former brought with it the challenges of the environment, the latter imposed a whole different set of pressures.  In the final episode of the Commonwealth Games Memories podcast series for 2022, Hannah pulls no punches as she describes dealing with the very different demands of staying fit enough to swim in Delhi and the weight of being the poster girl for Scotland at a home games in Glasgow.  --------------------- Get more Games memories here: Commonwealth Games Memories | pullbuoy --------------------- Review, subscribe, share on Anchor, Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts --------------------- Connect on social: - Twitter  @pullbuoy - Instagram  @pullbuoyuk - Facebook @pullbuoyuk - YouTube ---------------------  Episode Artwork: Ian MacNicol for Scottish Swimming on Flickr

With the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth games looming, Bob, Katie and Steve are joined by Commonwealth Champion Ross Davenport to take a look forward to some of the big stories in the pool. We consider the impact of world championships, the unknowns around who is targeting this competition, the potential for new faces to make their names, and we pick out some swimmers to watch. There's also a quick chance to consider the GB team selection for the following European championships and the recent announcement of dates for the World Championships in 2024, itself an Olympic year. During this episode the 4x200 relay at the 2006 Games cropped up - you can see hear much more about that and watch the race with Ross in our 20 at 20 series. --------------------- Get more Games memories here: Commonwealth Games Memories | pullbuoy --------------------- Review, subscribe, share on Anchor, Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts --------------------- Connect on social: - Twitter  @pullbuoy - Instagram  @pullbuoyuk - Facebook @pullbuoyuk - YouTube --------------------- Episode Artwork: GBSwimstars

It was a Commonwealth Games like no other when they travelled to the sub-continent for the 2010 edition. While India put on a great spectacle, the cohort of swimmers was beset by an illness that swept through the teams, making it as much a test of resilience as it was speed in the water. Lizzie Simmonds was a medal winning member of Team England that year and recalls a games that presented a completely new challenge. --------------------- Get more Games memories here: Commonwealth Games Memories | pullbuoy --------------------- Review, subscribe, share on Anchor, Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts --------------------- Connect on social: - Twitter  @pullbuoy - Instagram  @pullbuoyuk - Facebook @pullbuoyuk - YouTube --------------------- Episode Artwork: By Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (GODL-India), GODL-India, Link

He won three medals in his two appearances for Australia, but the Commonwealth Games were not always plain sailing for Brett Hawke. We pick up the Commonwealth Games memories thread in Manchester to get his memories of the 2002 edition before moving to Melbourne in 2006, as Brett recalls suit malfunctions and health scares that led him to think he was cursed. It’s not all bad memories though with two silvers and a bronze to his name and the chance to bring the curtain down on his career in his home pool while swimming with some of the icons of Australian swimming. --------------------- Get more Games memories here: Commonwealth Games Memories | pullbuoy --------------------- Review, subscribe, share on Anchor, Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts --------------------- Connect on social: - Twitter  @pullbuoy - Instagram  @pullbuoyuk - Facebook @pullbuoyuk - YouTube ---------------------

She's the most decorated English female athlete at the Commonwealth Games so it's no surprise that they hold special memories for Karen Pickering.  Across four Games appearances from 1990 to 2002 she won 13 medals including four golds, including five at the 1994 edition alone. In this Commonwealth Games Memories edition of the pullbuoy podcast we journey with Karen from her first Games in Auckland to her final ones in Manchester, via Victoria and Kuala Lumpur, to get her recollections of those Games. --------------------- Get more Games memories here: Commonwealth Games Memories | pullbuoy --------------------- Review, subscribe, share on Anchor, Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts --------------------- Connect on social: - Twitter  @pullbuoy - Instagram  @pullbuoyuk - Facebook @pullbuoyuk - YouTube --------------------- Episode artwork: SWPix.com

As the 2022 edition of the Commonwealth Games looms large, this is the first in a podcast series recalling Games past and travelling from 1982 to 2014 to get the recollections of the swimmers who competed in those Games. First up it's Andy Jameson who recalls his time at the 1982 and 1986 instalments in Brisbane and Edinburgh respectively, the latter of which brought him four medals, including gold in the 100m butterfly. As well as his exploits in the pool, he tells of broken goggles, sneaking team mates into the pool and accidentally having lunch with Princess Diana. --------------------- Get more Games memories here: Commonwealth Games Memories | pullbuoy --------------------- Review, subscribe, share on Anchor, Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts --------------------- Connect on social: - Twitter  @pullbuoy - Instagram  @pullbuoyuk - Facebook @pullbuoyuk - YouTube --------------------- Episode artwork: Romain Terpreau/Peter Cordes on Unsplash

It was an up and down week for Britain at the World Championships in Budapest with a slow start finally turning into a creditable haul of 5 medals including a world title for Ben Proud and a hat trick of bronze medals for Tom Dean. Steve and Bob are on hand to discuss the British performance in the pool. --------------------- Review, subscribe, share on Anchor, Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts --------------------- Connect on social: - Twitter  @pullbuoy - Instagram  @pullbuoyuk - Facebook @pullbuoyuk - YouTube --------------------- Episode artwork: Adidas

For the 100th episode of the pullbuoy podcast we hand the reins over to Bob who caught up with six of the GB team heading to the world championships and their coach Dave McNulty.  As well as hearing from Dave, In this bumper episode you’ll get the thoughts of Tom Dean, Freya Anderson, James Guy, Matt Richards, Brodie Williams and Jacob Peters as they look forward to a full summer of racing, starting with Budapest. --------------------- Review, subscribe, share on Anchor, Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts --------------------- Connect on social: - Twitter  @pullbuoy - Instagram  @pullbuoyuk - Facebook @pullbuoyuk - YouTube --------------------- Episode artwork: Simone Castrovillari

It was on then off then on again, but the World Championships of 2022 are now upon us, kicking off a busy summer of racing for Britain's swimmers. Before they can think about the Commonwealth Games or Europeans though, there is the small matter of facing the world's best in Budapest.  Steve, Bob and Katie are on hand to look forward to an exciting competition and run the rule over Britain's chances against the background of some set backs for the team and a big variation in preparation. Bob has also been out and about speaking to some of the GB team, and we hear from Dave McNulty, Tom Dean and Matt Richards briefly on this episode; you can hear much more from them plus a few others on the next instalment.  --------------------- Review, subscribe, share on Anchor, Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts --------------------- Connect on social: - Twitter  @pullbuoy - Instagram  @pullbuoyuk - Facebook @pullbuoyuk - YouTube --------------------- Episode artwork: Simone Castrovillari

With the announcement of the England team for Birmingham 2022 came the culmination of one of the most remarkable swimming come backs as Adam Barrett was selected for his second Commonwealth Games, 8 years after the first and five years after he stepped away from elite swimming.  In this episode of the pullbuoy podcast, Bob and Steve chat to Adam about that comeback and how he went from swimming once a fortnight to the ISL and international selection, coaching himself and doing much of his training in public sessions. We also delve into the circumstances of his original retirement and his thoughts on keeping swimmers in the sport into their 20s, something he clearly feels strongly about given his own experiences.  --------------------- Review, subscribe, share on Anchor, Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts --------------------- Connect on social: - Twitter  @pullbuoy - Instagram  @pullbuoyuk - Facebook @pullbuoyuk - YouTube ---------------------  Episode artwork: GBSwimstars

It was almost a return to business as usual at the British Championships in Sheffield with full fields and crowds in the stands. In the pool there were a number of standout performances as the swimmers jostled to secure selection not only for the forthcoming World Championships but also the Commonwealth Games teams for England, Scotland and Wales. In this first podcast for 2022 Bob and Steve cast their eyes over events at Ponds Forge and consider Britain's World Championship picks. --------------------- Review, subscribe, share on Anchor, Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts --------------------- Connect on social: - Twitter  @pullbuoy - Instagram  @pullbuoyuk - Facebook @pullbuoyuk - YouTube ---------------------  Episode Artwork: Georgie Kerr/British Swimming

The Roar have made it to the 2021 ISL grand final which takes place this coming week. We tracked down two London Legends in Alia Atkinson and Guilherme Guido to get their views on a tough match with Energy just gone and to look forward to the final.  Can the Roar win, what will be the key tactic and how is the team feeling as they prepare to give "one more for the Roar"? We cover all that and more, including getting the Roar Material where we ask the important questions, such as what will be the fate of Guido's beard?  --------------------- Get all the episodes here: http://www.pullbuoy.co.uk/roar  Review, subscribe, share on Anchor, Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts - -------------------- Connect | London Roar - Twitter  @isl_londonroar - Instagram  @isl_londonroar  - Facebook @ISLLondonRoar Connect | Pullbuoy - Twitter  @pullbuoy - Instagram  @pullbuoyuk - Facebook @pullbuoyuk - YouTube --------------------- Music by AIVA: https://www.aiva.ai  Episode artwork by ISL/Deepbluemedia

It went to the final skins races, but the London Roar secured an opening victory in the ISL playoffs, holding off a late charge from Cali Condors to take the win that moves them one step closer to a grand final appearance Joining us to look back on the drama in Eindhoven are Freya Anderson and Tom Dean as we explore events in the water and we get the “Roar Material” with the important questions about their teammates, including which member of the Pride they would choose to face a zombie apocalypse with.  --------------------- Get all the episodes here: http://www.pullbuoy.co.uk/roar  Review, subscribe, share on Anchor, Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts - -------------------- Connect | London Roar - Twitter  @isl_londonroar - Instagram  @isl_londonroar  - Facebook @ISLLondonRoar Connect | Pullbuoy - Twitter  @pullbuoy - Instagram  @pullbuoyuk - Facebook @pullbuoyuk - YouTube --------------------- Music by AIVA: https://www.aiva.ai  Episode artwork by ISL/@minekasapoglu