Épisodes

  • #165: History Maker Jane Asher Enters Swim Hall of Fame at 94
    Dec 9 2025

    Hear from Jane Asher following her induction into the Swim England Hall of Fame.

    Jane has broken over 100 master’s swimming world records and won numerous world titles. Now she’s preparing for the next age group with a laser focus on the record books! Even in her 90s, her swims are a master class in technique and pacing and her approach to training is a lesson in longevity (assuming no one gets in her way!)

    Hear stories from Jane’s childhood, including moving from Zambia to South Africa to get treatment for malaria, a life-threatening condition at the time, and how that move enabled a celebrated swimming career to begin.

    Follow https://www.instagram.com/freestyle_media_swimming/ to access video footage and some bonus interview snippets.

    Visit https://www.allensswimwear.co.uk and use the code ‘MastersPod’ to access discount on non-sale items.

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    27 min
  • #164: From Olympic Heartbreak to Masters Hall of Fame
    Dec 2 2025

    This week, we meet Glen Christiansen, a Swedish Olympian and Masters World Record holder. We discuss Glen's journey from elite swimmer to coach, his heart breaking experience at the 1980 Olympics, why he attended the first ever World Masters Championships in Tokyo, and his recovery from a serious accident that resulted in him needing to relearn how to walk, talk and eat.

    Glen shares insights on the evolution of Masters swimming, his coaching philosophy, and the significance of his recent induction into the Masters Swimming Hall of Fame. The conversation highlights the challenges and triumphs of a life dedicated to swimming, both in competition and coaching.

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    49 min
  • #163: From zero to 49 second 100m freestyle hero!
    Nov 25 2025

    Imagine doing just five months of training and breaking 50 seconds for the 100m freestyle? That’s exactly what Arran Francis did and he’s now one of the most exciting new faces on the masters swimming scene. Helen Gorman tracked him down to find out more.

    Arran talks through why joining Trafford Swimming Club was the best decision he’s made this year and what he hopes to achieve from here.

    He’s also a high achiever in the business world, managing three YouTube channels and commentating daily on eSports and Formula One. Arran explains his work and discusses the similarities and differences between gaming, motor sports and swimming.


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    57 min
  • #162: Finding Love for Swimming Beyond Diabetes Diagnosis
    Nov 18 2025

    This week, we meet Reg Lloyd, who shares his journey from elite swimming to managing type 1 diabetes and finding unexpected joy in masters swimming.

    He discusses the highs that earned him a stunning personal best time of 1 minute 46.1 for the 200m freestyle and securing a place at the National Performance Centre in Stirling to the significant health challenges that ended his elite swimming career. He discusses the training methods that have shaped his mindset and underlines the importance of good friends.

    As a key part of relay teams with TheSwimSuitGuy (Sonny Trigg), Reg has broken multiple masters world records, but the most important dynamic has been the fun and motivation that comes from being part of a team.

    Hosted by Helen Gorman.

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    53 min
  • #161: Together in the Fast Lane
    Nov 11 2025

    Host Helen Gorman chats to Fleur and Spencer Turner, a well-known and very high achieving couple in the British Masters swimming community. They discuss their experiences at the US Masters Championships in Federal Way this summer, their achievements (including world record breaking relays), and the dynamics of being a competitive family.

    We also look at the structure of their Basingstoke Bluefins club, and Spencer’s role as a coach and administrator. They share insights on training, the importance of teamwork, and their future goals.

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    45 min
  • #160: 17 World Records Smashed - National Masters Review
    Nov 4 2025

    After coaching Trafford to the Top Club award for the fourth year in a row, Bob Bolton joins Helen Gorman to review the National Masters Championships in Sheffield. Discussion covers record breaking swims, notable performers and unique insight into training and racing.

    Don’t miss this fun and insightful look at the Championships, which saw 17 world records smashed.

    Bob also looks at the overall success and future of the event given his position on the Masters Working Group.

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    56 min
  • #159: From Windermere Record Breaking to River Breakthroughs
    Oct 28 2025

    George Taplin joins the Masters Swimming Podcast to discuss his record-breaking end-to-end swim in Lake Windermere. George has a unique perspective on ecology and cleaning up our waterways given his full-time employment in the water industry.

    George grew up training with Olympic champion, Tom Dean in Maidenhead and now lives, trains and works full time in Leeds. He swam Windermere’s 10.5miles at an average pace of 1:09 per 100m to break the record for swimming the length of England’s longest lake. He shares insights on pacing, fuelling, and the psychological aspects of endurance swimming.

    Visit Allen’s of Kingsbury to update your swimsuits and gear: https://www.allensswimwear.co.uk. Use discount code MastersPod for 10% discount – code valid until 14/11/25 on full priced items.

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    54 min
  • #158: From Lanes to Legends: The National Masters Preview
    Oct 20 2025

    Sonny Trigg, the one and only SwimSuitGuy, joins Helen Gorman to preview the 2025 National Masters Short Course Championships in Sheffield.

    From record contenders to legendary names and inspiring competitors, we explore the stories behind the swimmers who refuse to slow down.

    And even if you’re not planning to be poolside in Sheffield, there’s plenty of swim talk, insider gossip, and a splash of humour to keep you entertained from the first whistle to the final touch.

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    50 min