Social Kick • Swim Culture & Stories

Julian Koch on the Transfer Portal, 20lbs of Muscle, and Finding a New Home| Episode 296

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.

David Johnston Discusses Moving to Florida & Exploring NIL Money in Swimming | Episode 295

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!

The Josh Bey "Barracuda" Mentality: From Freshman Struggles to NCAA SilverJosh Bey | Episode 293

In this episode of Social Kick, Bryan Lundquist and Dr. John Mullen sit down with Indiana University’s breakout freshman sensation, Josh Bey. After a monster first year that saw him drop 5 seconds in his 200 breaststroke to become the #8 all-time performer (1:48.9) and win the Big 10 title in the 400 IM, Josh pulls back the curtain on the mental and physical grind of elite college swimming.

Josh opens up about his "cannon event"—a heart-to-heart meeting in December that saved his season—and how he moved past crippling superstitions to finally trust his gut. We dive deep into the IU breaststroke culture, the technical "pause" trick that changed his turns, and why he responds best when coaches get in his face.

Kacper Stokowski on Leveling Up Athlete Mentorship & The Future of NIL | Episode 293

In this episode of the Social Kick Podcast, we welcome back NCAA Champion and Polish Olympian Kacper Stokowski. Known for his legendary celebrations and underwater dominance at NC State, Kacper is now pivoting his competitive drive into the world of sports business. We discuss his new venture, Level Up Mentorship, a platform designed to bridge the gap between young athletes and elite mentors. Kacper shares his personal journey from a young swimmer in Poland with unanswered questions to an elite athlete realizing the power of a one-on-one connection. We also get Kacper’s takes on the current state of swimming, including: The 19-Second Barrier: Why we haven't seen a 19-second 50 backstroke yet and who he’d bet on to do it. The "Wolfpack" Culture: Lessons learned from Braden Holloway and how swimming for "the Diamond" shaped his business philosophy. Monetizing the Sport: How mentorship can create revenue streams for non-revenue collegiate sports to prevent program cuts. Injury & Comeback: Kacper opens up about his recent back struggles (the "old man problems" of underwater specialists) and his excitement to return to the water with a smarter, higher-intensity training approach. Whether you're a parent navigating the NIL era, a young swimmer looking for a pro's perspective, or just a fan of the sport, this episode is packed with insights on how to "Level Up." 0:00 - Intro: Remembering Kacper’s epic block celebration 2:08 - The 19-second 50 Backstroke: Why is it so elusive? 5:24 - Discussing the "Swim Inflation" and 42-second backstroke times 7:12 - Audience Questions: The art of the celebration—authentic vs. choreographed 14:31 - Breaking the unwritten rules of swimming "decorum" 17:05 - What is Level Up? Solving the lack of resources for young athletes 23:38 - Moving beyond "doom scrolling" to real mentorship 35:30 - The challenges of being an international recruit in the NCAA 41:54 - The most common question: "How do I become a pro?" 44:36 - The long-term goal: Saving collegiate programs through revenue sharing 52:10 - Recovery update: Dealing with bulging discs and the return to the pool 56:47 - Rapid Fire: Pull-up goals, bench press stats, and Masters predictions

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How Sean Kao Built ASP: From a Parents' Garage to Training the World’s Best Swimmers | Ep. 291

In this episode of the Social Kick Podcast, we sit down with Sean Kao, the founder and mastermind behind Aquatic Sports Performance (ASP). Sean has revolutionized the way elite swimmers approach the weight room, training some of the fastest athletes on the planet, including Caleb Dressel and Michael Andrew. Sean takes us through his journey from being a sprinter at Arizona State University under the legendary Bob Bowman to building a world-class training facility from a garage.

We discuss his "Rate Limiting KPI" philosophy, the reality of "neural load" in sprinting, and the grit required to build a media brand and an elite pro group simultaneously. Whether you’re a coach, an athlete, or a swimming nerd, Sean Kao’s insights on the business and biology of fast swimming are a must-watch.

NCAA Format Shakeup: Why We Need B-Finals Back & The Combined 6-Day "Dream Meet" | Episode 292

The 2026 NCAA Swimming & Diving season is officially in the books! Bryan and John are back from Atlanta (Georgia Tech) to recap a wild week of record-breaking performances and controversial format changes. From the Virginia Women securing an epic 6th straight title to the Texas Men going back-to-back, the dynasties are alive and well—but the sport is changing.

We dive deep into the "no B-finals" experiment, the decision to open the meet with the 1650 Freestyle, and why Josh Liendo and Hubi Kos setting NCAA records in the morning was met with "crickets" in the stands. We also discuss our Social Kick Afterparty at Margaritaville with Olympic Champ Daniel Wiffen and our vision for turning the NCAAs into a 6-day combined "festival" of swimming.

Isabelle Stadden: UVA Reset, Breaking a 5-Year Plateau & The "Traumatic" Murphy Sets | Ep. 290

What happens when a top-tier athlete hits a plateau after five years in the same environment? Isabelle Stadden joins the crew to discuss her "reset" move from Cal to the University of Virginia. After nearly walking away from the sport last summer, Isabelle is back and faster than ever, dropping a massive 2:05 200 Backstroke at Westmont.

We dive deep into the differences between the Dave Durden and Todd DeSorbo training styles, the "trauma" of training with Ryan Murphy at altitude, and why she’s suddenly swimming with the endurance of her high school self. From specific caffeine protocols to the psychology of "Social Kick," this is a masterclass in elite athlete longevity.

Anastasia Gorbenko on IM Training, Pro to NCAA Transition & Breaststroke Flip Turns | Ep. 289

What happens when you’re the first alternate for an Olympic final and get the call only 40 minutes before the blocks? Israeli star Anastasia Gorbenko joins the Social Kick crew to break down the "Paris Drama," her transition from the professional ISL ranks to the Louisville Cardinals, and the story behind the most famous flip turn in breaststroke history.

Anastasia discusses the intensity of the "American way" of training, the emotional weight of representing Israel during a time of war, and how she maintains range from a 29.3 50 breaststroke to a world-class 400 IM.

Whether you're here for the technical breakdown of relay starts or the "rapid-fire" segment on her favorite snacks (spoiler: it’s mango), this episode is a deep dive into the mind of one of the most versatile swimmers on the planet.

Daniel & Nathan Wiffen: The 15-Hour Recovery Secret Behind 1500m Greatness | Social Kick Ep. 288

Daniel Wiffen and Nathan Wiffen join the Social Kick Podcast to discuss the training, mindset, and recovery behind elite 1500m freestyle swimming. Olympic champion Daniel Wiffen, one of the fastest distance swimmers in the world, shares the unusual recovery routine—including a famous 15-hour nap cycle—that helped power his rise in Olympic swimming.

In Episode 288 of the Social Kick Podcast, Daniel Wiffen and Nathan Wiffen break down their journey from Loughborough’s high-volume training environment to the marginal gains philosophy at Cal Berkeley swimming. The Wiffen brothers explain how distance swimmers manage brutal training weeks, how race tactics like negative splitting in the 1500 freestyle shape championship performances, and how they approach the mental challenge of world-class distance racing.

The conversation dives into elite distance swimming training, recovery science, and the psychology of Olympic preparation. Daniel Wiffen also discusses working with top coaches and how technical details like body position and efficiency can determine success in the 1500m freestyle.

Whether you’re a competitive swimmer, coach, or fan of Olympic swimming, this episode with Daniel Wiffen and Nathan Wiffen offers an inside look at what it takes to compete at the highest level of the sport.

Topics: Daniel Wiffen, Nathan Wiffen, Olympic swimming, 1500m freestyle, distance swimming training, swim recovery, Cal Berkeley swimming, elite swimmer mindset.

Gabe Jett: Breaking the Yips, Elite Underwaters, and Finding Identity Beyond Swimming | Episode 287

Gabe Jett is more than just a 1:54 butterflyer; he is a film major, a quiche enthusiast, and a man who has looked the 200 fly yips in the eye and won. In this episode, Gabe joins the Social Kick crew to discuss his evolution from a collegiate standout at Cal to a seasoned professional.

He gets remarkably honest about the mental plateau that followed his early success, the fear of the last 50 meters, and how building a life involving film and personal relationships actually made him a faster swimmer. We also dive into the technical details of his training odyssey in Australia, the specific dolphin kick progression that built his legendary underwaters, and why he is officially boycotting Netflix in favor of indie theaters.

Whether you are struggling with your own plateau or looking for the secret to a faster 200 fly, Gabe’s perspective on swimming free is a masterclass in sports psychology.