The Effortless Swimming Podcast
Faster times and better technique aren't a guarantee when you train hard. What really makes a difference to your speed and efficiency in the water? The Effortless Swimming podcast helps make a complex sport really simple to better your swimming. We cover open water swimming, triathlon swimming and pool swimming. Hosted by Australian National swimmer and coach Brenton Ford.
Episodes
Have you ever walked away from a swim thinking,
"Why does this still feel so hard?"
You're not alone. Most adult swimmers struggle with the same few challenges—again and again—and it’s usually because no one ever showed them how to fix it the right way.
In today’s episode, we’re diving into the most common mistakes adult swimmers make—and more importantly, how to finally fix it.
Let’s get started.
00:17 Mistake #1: Holding Too Muc...
Most swimmers think a harder kick equals more speed. But for adult swimmers and triathletes, it usually means more effort and less progress. So, if your legs feel heavy, your breathing feels rushed, or you’re constantly tired after short swims, it might be your kick that’s holding you back. Let’s fix it.
00:32 Mistake #1: Kicking From the Knees
02:33 Mistake #2: Too Much Kick
06:16 Mistake #3: Stiff Ankles
08:29 Mistake #4: Using I...
Do freestyle tips from the 1960s still hold up today? In this episode, I’m diving into some notes I took from a DVD created by 1960 Olympic gold medalist in the 1500m freestyle, John Conrad. About ten years ago, I was deep into studying freestyle technique—trying to learn everything I could—and John and I actually had a few back-and-forth discussions about our different approaches. We didn’t always agree, and today I want to revisi...
In today’s episode, I’m sharing 10 things I wish I knew when I first started swimming. Whether you’re just beginning or have been in the water for a while, these lessons can help you take your swimming to the next level.
Let’s face it—most beginners train too hard, focus on the wrong details, and waste a lot of time and energy. That not only slows progress but can lead to frustrating plateaus or even injuries like shoulder pain.
Th...
In this episode, we’ll break down that key insight—how chasing speed can hold you back, why real progress comes from subtle adjustments, and the shift in perspective that turns resistance into flow. If your stroke has ever felt more like a struggle than a rhythm, this episode is for you.
1:10 Progress Isn't Linear
2:18 Video Yourself Early
3:12 Control The Mental Side
4:23 Consistency
5:52 The Clock
6:49 Your Stroke Does Not Have T...
In this episode, I'll give you the exact issues that hold swimmers back at each pace from beginner swimmers at two 30 per hundred or slower, all the way to advanced swimmers at one 15 per hundred for a kilometer.
And I'll also give you actionable drills and strategies to help you progress to the next level.
02:10 – Drill 1: Horizontal body posture
03:30 – Drill 2: Balanced tempo
05:00 – Drill 3: Efficient breathing
06:20 – Drill 4:...
Hey, Brenton here. If you ever find yourself uncomfortable in the open water and not feeling that calm when you've got other people around and not knowing where to sit or where to draft off people to be most effective at it. This episode's for you. I joined the Low Tide Boys, Chip and Chris on a podcast, and they asked me all about the science of drafting.
So on this episode, I get stuck into that so you know exactly where to sit....
Have you ever realized you’re spending thousands on supplements that do little more than clutter your cabinet? One athlete was on the hook for $6,500 a year—until Taryn Richardson helped her strip it back to what truly makes a difference. In this episode, Taryn breaks down how to use simple blood tests to guide your choices, and spot the supplements worth keeping (and those you can dump). Stick around—you’ll finish this show knowin...
This a rebroadcast from the Get Fast Podcast with Jordan and Gerard Donnelly from TriVelo Coaching
Trivelo Coaching: https://www.trivelocoaching.com.au/
Welcome to this week's episode of the Effortless Swimming Podcast. This is a rebroadcast of an episode where I was a guest on the Get Fast Podcast with TriVelo Coaching with Jordan and Gerard Donnelly. On this episode, I'll talk about how triathletes can swim minutes faster in any...
Imagine a group of busy parents hesitating in front of a pair of 25 pound dumbbells, unsure, even a little intimidated. Fast forward two years and those same people are confidently pressing 75 pounds, moving through life with more energy and far less pain. That's the kind of change Kate Galliett creates.
Kate works with moms, dads, and everyone in between to build lasting strength without burning out. In today's conversation, we'll...
I recently joined Rich Bolus on the Dad Mindset podcast, and we had a great chat about something I see all the time. Especially with triathletes and parents, you're fit. You've got a big engine from the bike in the run, but in the water it doesn't translate. And that's usually down to technique. We talked about why swimming is so different from the other two legs of a triathlon.
How to help your kids develop strong fundamentals in ...
On this episode, we've got a guest who’s been at the sharp end of elite performance for over 50 years — Robin Williams.
Robin’s a former Cambridge rower and the coach behind multiple Olympic gold medal crews. He was actually recommended by one of you — a fellow listener — and once I dug into his story, I knew we had to get him on the show.
This episode kicks off with a promise:
We’re going to uncover the lessons Robin has learned ...
In this episode, Carl, our go-to strength and conditioning guru joins us again to finally demystify core engagement for swimmers.
We're unpacking the Pilates inspired Halloween technique. Versus Stuart McGill's bracing method and revealing simple land drills. Think step ups, carries and hip rotations that make your core switch on automatically. Once you hit the water, Carl will share why loosening your hips could be the missing lin...
What if the secret to crushing your next open water swim isn't just logging more miles, but learning to embrace the chaos, drafting like a pro, taking the occasional hit, and then surging ahead with confidence. Today on the Effortless Swimming Podcast, I'm joined by Damien from Flow State Swimming it's premier open water coaching squad.
Damien didn't learn to swim in a pool. He learned to survive and thrive in choppy conditions. Ma...
In today’s episode, I’m joined by Andrew Sheaff—coach, educator, and the author of A Constraints-Led Approach to Swim Coaching. We dive into one of the most important skills for adult swimmers and triathletes: learning how to self-coach.
Whether you're swimming solo, training without feedback, or stuck on a plateau, Andrew shares a practical roadmap to finally break through. You’ll learn why progress isn’t about doing more drills—...
Struggling to keep your legs from sinking in the water—no matter how hard you kick or how low you keep your head? You're not alone. But why do some swimmers maintain a perfect body position even when they're looking forward and barely kicking?
In this episode, after coaching over 6,000 swimmers, I break down the real reason your legs are sinking, what you can do to fix it (even if you feel like a natural sinker), and share one powe...
What happens when a veteran swim coach, who's spent years refining adult swimmers and triathletes, returns to coaching high school kids? In this episode, Frank Sole—coach, educator, and lifelong student of the sport—shares how “water is water” no matter your age, and why the principles of balance, buoyancy, and body awareness remain timeless.
Frank dives into the biggest crossover lessons he’s bringing from Masters swimmers to juni...
In this episode, we sit down with Sharon Van Rouwendaal, Olympic gold medalist in the 10 km open water marathon at Rio 2016 and Paris 2024, to talk all things freestyle—especially how adults can improve their technique in and out of the water.
Whether you're getting back into swimming or looking to sharpen your technique, this episode is packed with actionable tips and deep insights from one of the best in the world.
01:16 – Transi...
Today, we have a powerhouse guest—Greg Harper, the fastest swimmer in Ironman 70.3!
Greg shares his key lessons from the pool to open water, how to develop speed and endurance, and the mental strategies that set top swimmers apart. From the snowball effect of smart training to the secrets of holding a faster stroke rate, this episode is packed with actionable insights for triathletes and swimmers alike.
01:53 Transition From Pool...
Over the years, I've had the opportunity to analyze the strokes of over 8,000 swimmers and triathletes, ranging from beginners to elite professionals. Throughout this experience, I've discovered the key factors that set fast, efficient swimmers apart from those who struggle to improve.
In this video, I'll be sharing the most valuable lessons I've learned from analyzing swimmers of all backgrounds worldwide. I'll debunk common myths...
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