The Effortless Swimming Podcast

Why does swimming feel so hard after just a short break from the pool? In this episode, we talk about the importance of consistency in swimming and why regular time in the water is the key to feeling faster, smoother, and more comfortable. We also cover how drills like front scull can help improve your feel for the water and regain confidence after time away from training. If you're searching for the "secret" to better swimming, this episode breaks down why consistency beats shortcuts every time.

00:11 – Why consistency matters so much in swimming
01:04 – How regular swimming helps you feel comfortable in the water
02:35 – Using front scull drills to improve feel for the water
03:17 – The real secret to swimming faster: consistency

What if the key to swimming faster is actually ignoring your watch? In this episode, we explore how constantly checking pace, splits, and stats can take swimmers out of the moment and disconnect them from the feel of the water. Learn why being present during training can improve technique, effort control, and overall performance — and why taking a break from your swim watch might be the reset you need.

From Strava habits to flow state training, this episode challenges swimmers to focus less on data and more on awareness in the pool.

Accurate Timestamps

00:14 – The cliff road analogy and being present

01:06 – Why swimming is all about feel for the water

01:56 – Watches vs using the pace clock at the pool

02:38 – Manually tracking swims instead

In this episode, we sit down with professional triathlete Steph Clutterbuck to break down the real secrets behind efficient freestyle swimming. Instead of grinding harder in the water, Steph explains how better technique—especially rotation, body position, and connection—can dramatically improve your speed.

We dive into why many swimmers struggle with a flat, disconnected stroke and how that leads to wasted energy. Steph shares practical tips on how to stay long in the water, engage your core, and create a smoother, more powerful stroke.

If you're stuck at a plateau or feel like swimming faster requires exhausting effort, this episode will completely change your approach.

0:11 – Introduction Overview of freestyle technique and common mistakes swimmers make

0:20 – Why swimmers struggle to get faster.

1:10 – The problem with swimming "flat".

2:10 – Why a flat stroke wastes energy.

3:15 – Importance of body rotation.

4:20 – Timing and coordination.

5:30 – Catch vs whole stroke.

6:40 – Staying long in the water.

7:45 – Using your core in freestyle.

9:00 – Common beginner mistakes recap.

10:10 – How to swim faster with less effort?

In this episode, Brendan Cullen recounts his remarkable transformation from a non-swimmer to successfully completing the demanding English Channel swim. He reflects on how mental resilience, disciplined training, and a strong sense of community support helped him overcome one of the world's toughest endurance challenges. Brendan also shares how his rural upbringing shaped his mindset, and how personal motivation and strategic preparation played key roles in pushing beyond perceived limits.

00:50 Introduction to Brendan Cullen: The Desert Swimmer
01:50 Brendan's Unique Background and Journey to Swimming
05:27 The Decision to Swim the English Channel
06:55 Training and Preparation for the Channel Swim
10:48 The Day of the English Channel Swim
24:17 Reflections on the Journey and Lessons Learned
24:40 The Impact of Open Water Swimming on Life
30:37 The Release of Brendan's Book: The Desert Swimmer

One of the most common things I see in newer swimmers… is how flat they are in the water.

Their hips are flat, their shoulders are flat — and what ends up happening is they just spin their wheels.

They're putting in a lot of effort with the arms, kicking hard with the legs… but nothing is really connecting.

It feels like hard work — but it doesn't translate into speed.

So in today's episode, we're going to break down why swimming flat is holding you back… and how to start linking everything together so your stroke actually works as one powerful, efficient system.