Social Kick • Swim Culture & Stories

How does a former 800 freestyler from Fiji become an 18-second 50 freestyler in one of the fastest sprint environments in the NCAA? In this episode of the Social Kick Podcast, Arizona State University's Tolu Young shares his incredible journey from the "no rush, no worries" island culture of Fiji to the highly competitive, smack-talking pool deck at ASU. T olu breaks down his unexpected transition from a self-proclaimed terrible distance swimmer into a pure 50 freestyler after moving to Washington State during the 2020 lockdowns. We dive deep into the cutting edge of sprint training as Tolu explains his role in ASU's highly specialized "Ultra Sprint" group. He discusses his experiences utilizing USRPT, experimenting with the Cameron McEvoy method, and the brutal realities of Central Nervous System (CNS) fatigue when training at absolute maximum velocity. Tolu also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the ASU training culture, his goals representing Fiji at the upcoming Commonwealth Games, and why he completely avoids swimming 100s in practice. I f you are a swim nerd interested in the evolution of low-volume, high-power sprint training, you won't want to miss this!

Australia’s distance freestyle king has returned! Fresh off a historic performance at the 2026 Australian Trials—where he became the first man since Grant Hackett to sweep the 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m Freestyles—Samuel Short joins the Social Kick Podcast to break down exactly how he did it. In this episode, Sam takes us behind the scenes of his elite training block. From brutal high-altitude camps in Flagstaff to managing his sleep and body composition with Oura Rings and dietitians, Sam leaves no stone unturned. He details exactly what he eats in a day to survive massive double sessions, why he’s taking fueling cues from pro cyclists, and what it’s actually like to train with a biomechanist yelling at you during a lactate set. We also break down Sam's race strategy. Sam breaks down his insane 7:36 in the 800m Free, the unbelievable world record pacing of his international competitors, and why he loves racing guys who try to take the race out fast. Plus, we get into some classic swimmer debates: is it better to double-breathe off the wall or put your head down? And what is the most vulnerable World Record right now?

Ryan Erisman is having one of the most eye-opening freshman seasons in college swimming — and he proved it on the world stage. Fresh off a dominant performance at the 2026 Pro Swim Series in Austin, the Cal freshman joins Social Kick to break down what it takes to beat Olympic medalists, manage insane race schedules, and thrive inside the legendary Cal system. Ryan talks about winning the 200 and 400 free, dropping massive time in the 1500, and racing everything from the 200 fly to the 100 free — often in the same session. We get into his rapid transition from high school standout to NCAA threat, training under Dave Durden, long-course vs short-course racing, and how he’s building momentum with Nationals and NCAAs ahead. If you want a look at what the next generation of U.S. distance and middle-distance freestyle looks like, this episode is a must-listen. 🎧 Freshman breakout🔥 Pro Swim Austin wins🏊 Beating Olympians🐻 Life inside Cal swimming

What does it take to keep going when you’ve already given everything you have? In this episode of Social Kick, we sit down with Andy Donaldson — ultramarathon swimmer, world-record holder, fastest man to swim around Manhattan Island, and the first male swimmer to complete the Ocean’s Seven in a single calendar year. Andy shares the realities behind the swims most people only see in photos: long hours in dark water, brutal conditions, sickness, fear, and the moments where progress feels impossible. He opens up about a swim that nearly ended in defeat — before turning into one of the most meaningful experiences of his life, finishing just four minutes outside a world record on the rocks of Scotland. This conversation goes beyond times and results. It’s about: Defining your “why” when things start to unravel Learning that you don’t have to do it alone The shift from chasing personal achievement to creating purpose Using swimming as a platform to inspire others and elevate communities From swimming around Manhattan to a groundbreaking relay around Bahrain, Andy reflects on how his motivation has evolved — and why impact now matters more than records. Sometimes the finish time isn’t the point.Sometimes the real win is what the journey reveals. 🎙 Social Kick Podcast