Social Kick • Swim Culture & Stories

Todd DeSorbo: Building a Swimming Dynasty at Virginia | NCAA, Olympics, & Men’s New Era | Ep 275

Virginia Head Coach Todd DeSorbo joins The Social Kick to talk about the future of college swimming and the debut of a made-for-TV double elimination dual meet featuring UVA, Tennessee, and Michigan. He shares how new formats, rivalries, and personality can elevate the sport, his philosophy on building winning teams, and what it takes to innovate without losing the joy of racing.

A fast, insightful conversation with one of the most influential coaches in the NCAA.

Matt Kredich: How Tennessee Built Champions, Culture & Olympic Stars | Episode 274

Matt Kredich isn’t just a successful swim coach — he’s a culture builder, a thinker, and a leader whose impact reaches far beyond the pool deck. As the Director of Swimming & Diving at the University of Tennessee, he has developed Olympians, NCAA champions, and stars like Jordan Crooks, Mona McSharry, and Gui Caribe. But what truly makes Tennessee stand out is not just the speed — it’s the chemistry, belief, and connection that everyone can see.

In this episode of The Social Kick Podcast, Matt shares how culture becomes a competitive advantage, why empathy and accountability can coexist in high-performance environments, and how personal loss reshaped his perspective on coaching and purpose. We talk about sprint mechanics, drag reduction, athlete mindset, and how to help swimmers make breakthroughs technically and emotionally.

This is a conversation about coaching, leadership, resilience, and what it really takes to help people become the best version of themselves — in and out of the water.

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Listen now to hear:

• How culture drives performance in elite swim programs

• What makes Jordan Crooks and Tennessee’s sprinters different

• Using empathy, structure, and purpose in coaching

• How personal loss shaped Matt’s approach to leadership

• The technical and human elements behind world-class swimming

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Whether you're a swimmer, coach, parent, or just love great conversations about growth, this episode will leave you thinking differently about what makes people better.

Just the Guys! Swim News, Records & Hot Takes | Episode 273

Just the guys this week! Luke, Bryan, and John are back in classic Social Kick mode — no guests, no script, just pure swim talk.

The crew catches up on everything happening across the swim world: new records in China and Russia, Summer McIntosh’s big move to Arena, college season chaos, and even a few triathlon and high school highlights. It’s the kind of episode that feels like hanging out with your swim buddies after practice — full of takes, laughs, and real conversation about the sport we love.

In this episode:

• Yu Zidi breaks a 13-year Asian Record 🇨🇳

• Egor Kornev’s 44.99 lights up Russian SC Nationals

• Summer McIntosh signs with Arena — what’s that deal worth?

• Cal vs. Stanford, NC State’s “Raleigh Rumble,” and the Power 4 Dual Meet Challenge

• Ironman 70.3 Worlds and swimmers leading the way

• High school phenom Luka’s blazing times and Bolles’ new relay record

🎧 Dive in for the latest swim news, wild speculation, and plenty of good vibes — it’s all part of The Social Kick Podcast.

Nikita Sheremet: World Junior Champ & Louisville Sprint Star | Episode 272

Ukraine’s next great sprinter joins The Social Kick! 🇺🇦
Nikita Sheremet is the World Junior Champion and Record Holder in the 50 freestyle (21.75) — tying Michael Andrew’s World Junior Record last summer. Now racing for the University of Louisville, he’s already made waves in the NCAA with a 19.28 freshman record and big goals for the European Championships.

In this episode, Nikita shares his remarkable journey from Ukraine to Poland to escape the war, his move to the U.S., and how he built world-class sprint speed at such a young age. We break down sprint training, mindset, dryland work, and a few fun rapid-fire questions from fans.

If you love fast swimming, big goals, and the next wave of sprint talent — you’ll love this one.

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🎙️ Highlights:

• Training for a 21-second 50 freestyle

• Building power & explosiveness as a young sprinter

• From Ukraine to Louisville: a swimmer’s journey

• Rapid fire Q&A: pull-ups, Fortnite, favorite food & more

• Goals for 2025 Europeans and NCAAs

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Greg Harper, from Cal Swimmer to Pro Triathlete on Kona, Training & Triathlon Truths | Ep. 271

Former Cal swimmer Greg Harper is now one of the best swimmers in triathlon — leading out the swim at the 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships and chasing the Kona swim course record next year.

In Episode 271 of The Social Kick Podcast, Greg joins us to talk about his journey from NCAA swimming to pro triathlon, what triathletes often get wrong about swim training, and how fatherhood has changed his approach to training and racing.

We dive into:

• The biggest lessons from racing at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona

• What swimmers need to know to make a successful jump into triathlon

• Greg’s unfiltered thoughts on triathlon culture, prize money, and sponsorships

• Whether it’s ever OK to wear a watch in swim workouts

• Hot takes on the Enhanced Games, the T100 Series, and the future of the sport

Known for his honesty and humor as a co-host on The Triathlon Hour, Greg brings the same energy here — mixing insight, candor, and a swimmer’s perspective on the multi-sport world.

Whether you’re a triathlete, swimmer, or just love a good endurance sports story, this episode’s for you.

🎙️ The Social Kick Podcast — where swimming meets the rest of the world.

World Cup Recap: 5 World Records & Wild Finishes w/ Bobby Hurley | Social Kick 270

The 2025 Swimming World Cup wrapped up with one of the fastest nights in history — five world records in a single session! 🏊‍♂️

 

In this episode, former world champion and commentator Bobby Hurley joins The Social Kick crew to break down the epic Toronto finale and the standout moments from three incredible weeks of racing.

 

We dive into the biggest performances, the prize money race, surprises and disappointments, and how the World Cup continues to evolve into one of the sport’s premier showcases.

 

Get Bobby’s insider take from his own experience on the World Cup circuit and hear our full breakdown of what made 2025 one of the most exciting years ever for short course swimming.

Tommy Neill: The Aussie Olympian Finding His Fire Again | Episode 269

Australian Olympian Tommy Neill joins The Social Kick to talk about his journey from back-to-back Olympic bronze medals to a much-needed reset. After stepping away to recover from injury and refocus on life, Tommy’s back training with a sharper mindset and fresh motivation. We dive into his comeback, the grind of elite swimming in Australia, and what’s next for this two-time Olympic medalist.

Bryn Greenwaldt: From DII Record Breaker to UVA Cavalier Episode 268

Before joining the powerhouse Virginia Cavaliers, Bryn Greenwaldt was already making NCAA history — becoming the first woman in Division II to break 22 seconds in the 50 freestyle while also competing as an All-American high jumper.

Now beginning her fifth year and first season in Division I swimming, Bryn brings a unique two-sport background, combining explosive athleticism with the mindset of a seasoned competitor. In this episode, she talks about her journey from Augustana University to UVA, how track and field training shaped her sprint power and underwaters, and what she’s learning inside one of the nation’s most dominant swim programs.

It’s an authentic, fun, and inspiring conversation about transitions, training culture, and finding balance in the grind — with one of the most intriguing new faces in college swimming.

🎙️ Listen to more conversations with the world’s best swimmers on The Social Kick Podcast.

2025 World Cup Breakdown with Bobby Hurley | Expert Take from a Swimming Commentator Episode 267

We’re diving into the 2025 World Aquatics World Cup with Bobby Hurley — former world champion swimmer, World Cup star, and one of the sharpest voices in swimming commentary.

From his unique insider perspective, Bobby breaks down everything that makes this year’s World Cup series so compelling: the new format, prize money, and its place in the global swimming calendar. We compare today’s three-stop tour with the eight-stop grind from Bobby’s era, and unpack standout performances from Carmel — including Gretchen Walsh’s stunning new world record.

Plus, we go deep on the big debates:
• Who are the best short-course swimmers to never win a major long-course title?
• How would Michael Phelps have performed in today’s short-course World Cup format?
• What does the World Cup really mean for a swimmer’s training and career?

Whether you’re a lifelong swim fan or just discovering the sport, this episode delivers expert insight, bold opinions, and a behind-the-scenes look at one of swimming’s most exciting events.

 

Sam Short: The Grind, the Mindset, and the Future of Distance Swimming Episode 266

2023 World Champion 🏆 and Olympic medalist Sam Short joins The Social Kick Podcast for a deep dive into what drives one of the world’s best distance swimmers.

Sam’s already redefining what it means to go the distance — from his brutal training sets that have become the stuff of legend, to the mental toughness it takes to dominate the 400 and 1500 on the world stage.

In this episode, Sam talks about:

• The mindset that separates good from great in distance swimming

• What it’s like chasing Australian icons like Grant Hackett and Ian Thorpe

• His favorite (and toughest) workouts

• Rivalries, rule changes, and the future of the sport

• Life outside the pool — food, tattoos, and film obsessions

It’s an unfiltered look at a world champion’s world — equal parts grind, grit, and Aussie pride.

🎙️ Catch more conversations with the world’s best swimmers every week on The Social Kick Podcast.