Underwater Masterclass & Beyond: Tom Shields on Clinics, Surfing, and Mental Health | Episode 299
About this episode
Tom Shields discusses his post-retirement life, swimming clinics, and mental health initiatives.
Is he the best underwater kicker of all time? We think so—and so does Coach Dave Durden! In this episode of the Social Kick Podcast, Olympic Gold Medalist and Cal Bear legend Tom Shields joins the crew to talk about his life post-retirement, his new swimming clinics, and his life in Santa Cruz, California. Tom takes us through his incredible career, revealing the exact moment he realized his underwaters were world-class and how he used his turns to dominate the sport. But Tom’s next chapter goes far beyond the pool. He details his new three-pronged approach to giving back: high-level swimming clinics, partnering with local surf instructors for a holistic "waterman" experience, and his passion project—launching a foundation to bring mental health first aid to age-group swimming clubs. From dodging sea lions while spearfishing and respecting local surf culture to breaking down why underwater breath-holding contests are useless for competitive swimming, this episode is packed with stories and actionable advice from one of the sport's greatest technicians.
People in this episode
Guest: Tom Shields
Topics covered
- underwater kicking
- swimming clinics
- mental health
- surfing
- athlete career
- waterman experience
Keywords
- underwater kicking
- swimming clinics
- mental health
- surfing
- Tom Shields
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Cal Bear
Places: Santa Cruz, California
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- Summer League for Adults! The Rise of Grown-Up Swimming with Brian Robbins | Episode 298
- Thomas Heilman & Maximus Williamson: UVA’s Lane 8 Titles & The Tattoo Promise | Episode 297
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