SPOT.
HomeDiscoverScoresWatchListen
SPOT.Sign In

Spot Sports

Everything worth following in sports

Content

  • Videos
  • Podcasts
  • Channels
  • Blog

Company

  • About
  • Support

Legal

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • YouTube Terms

© 2026 Spot Sports. All rights reserved.

Home
Scores
Watch
Listen
My Spot
#186: Nicola Charlesworth on Masters Swimming, Deaflympics and Determination

Swimming

#186: Nicola Charlesworth on Masters Swimming, Deaflympics and Determination

Freestyle Media›
May 18, 202640:13

Listen now

Listen in the app

Episode context

Listen

Keep going with Freestyle Media.

Listen here or keep browsing the show and related sport coverage from here.

Freestyle Media showSwimming podcasts

Episode Notes

Nicola Charlesworth shares her remarkable journey as a deaf swimmer, her return to the pool after a 17-year break, and the record-breaking performances that have made her a name to look out for in masters swimming.

Her path back to success has been anything but straightforward - from representing Great Britain as an elite junior swimmer with Olympic ambitions, to navigating progressive hearing loss and recovering after being hit by a bus.

Nicola shares the unexpected challenges she faces as a deaf athlete, balancing training with a demanding career and young family, and the powerful role swimming plays in her mental wellbeing. We also explore what drives her to keep pushing boundaries in the pool.

Visit our Instagram channel @freestyle_media_swimming for lots of great video clips from our weekly podcasts.

Next listen

All from Freestyle Media →
#191: Aberdeen 2026: Records, Revelry & Masters Magic

Next listen

#191: Aberdeen 2026: Records, Revelry & Masters Magic

4 days ago56:51

Next listen

#191: Aberdeen 2026: Records, Revelry & Masters Magic

#191: Aberdeen 2026: Records, Revelry & Masters Magic

4 days ago56:51
#190: Inside 20+ Years of Swimming Journalism with Liz Byrnes

#190: Inside 20+ Years of Swimming Journalism with Liz Byrnes

Jun 15, 202642:54
#189: Aberdeen Awaits: Previewing British Masters 2026 with Charlie Harris

#189: Aberdeen Awaits: Previewing British Masters 2026 with Charlie Harris

Jun 8, 202646:59
All from Freestyle Media→

Listen guide

How do I listen to this episode of Freestyle Media?

"#186: Nicola Charlesworth on Masters Swimming, Deaflympics and Determination" is an episode of Freestyle Media. Runtime 40 min. Published May 18, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.

Step by step

  1. Open Spot Sports. Get the free Spot Sports app for background play, lock-screen controls, and offline downloads.
  2. Or stream right here. Tap play on the episode card above. No app needed.
  3. Browse the full podcast. Jump to the Freestyle Media page for the rest of the catalog.
  4. Or subscribe in any podcast app. Freestyle Media ships on a standard RSS feed, so Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, and Pocket Casts all work too.

Quick FAQ

When was this episode published?
May 18, 2026.
How long is this episode?
40 min.
What podcast is this from?
Freestyle Media. Browse the full back catalog on the show page.
What does this episode cover?
Freestyle Media covers swimming. This episode runs on the show's regular cadence.

Sources

  • Get the Spot Sports app
  • #186: Nicola Charlesworth on Masters Swimming, Deaflympics and Determination
  • Freestyle Media

Related Podcasts

Unfiltered Waters

Unfiltered Waters

Katie Hoff

Swimming
The Effortless Swimming Podcast

The Effortless Swimming Podcast

Brenton Ford

Swimming
The SwimSwam Podcast

The SwimSwam Podcast

SwimSwam

Swimming
Night Swim Podcast

Night Swim Podcast

Dax and Elvis

Swimming
The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming

Grant Landers

Swimming