
Torpedo Swimtalk Podcast
Danielle Spurling
Torpedo Swimtalk Podcast with Sam WIlliamson - From Commonwealth Rookie To World Champion
Episode Notes
Sam WIlliamson joins us on Torpedo Swimtalk to discuss everything from medaling at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, to claiming the 50 breast world title in Doha. Sam walks us through the mental and technical shifts that turned nerves into a plan. He explains why the start didn’t need to be perfect, how he engineered a ruthless last 15 meters, and what it takes to stay calm in a call room full of giants.
We also go deep on training. Sam describes building a unique breaststroke by borrowing the best pieces from legends—without copying anyone wholesale. Expect practical detail: fatigue-anchored 50s to harden finishes, power-tower bursts to translate gym work into the water, and weekly video analysis to tune line, hips, and timing. The Victorian Institute of Sport’s support threads through every step—physio, conditioning, and coaching aligned to one outcome: clean speed under pressure.
Then everything changed in a second. A routine plyometric session led to a complete patella tendon rupture and urgent surgery. Sam shares the shock, the honest fear that it might be over, and the switch that flipped when the surgeon mapped a path back. Nine months, six rehab days a week, and a 10-inch scar later, he’s back swimming and targeting a February competition return. With LA 2028 adding 50 form strokes, he’s doubling down on sprint breaststroke while keeping the 100 and relays in the program.
If you care about high-performance process, sprint biomechanics, and the mindset that makes the last strokes the strongest, you’ll love this episode with Sam.
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Torpedo Swimtalk is sponsored by AMANZI SWIMWEAR
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