What does it take to make history, advocate for change, and prepare for the next Paralympic Games?

On this episode of Swim and Tell, I sit down with Paris 2024 Paralympians, world champions, teammates, advocates, and Optical Delusion hosts Grace Nuhfer and Olivia Chambers.

We dive into:
🏅 Sweeping all seven S13 events at World Championships
🇫🇷 What it felt like competing in the electric atmosphere of Paris 2024
🎙️ Why they launched Optical Delusion and the stories they’re amplifying
🤝 Friendship, training together, and supporting each other through the Paralympic journey
🧠 Post-meet blues and the mental side of elite sport
🌎 Representation, advocacy, and pushing for equity in the Paralympic movement
🔥 What’s next on the road to LA 2028

3x NCAA champion at the University of Texas, Emma Sticklen finished her career as a 23-time All-American and a NCAA record holder in the 200 butterfly. After a successful season, Sticklen began a new chapter in the sport as an assistant coach at the University of Pennsylvania.

Anna Moesch joins the podcast after a breakout performance at the NCAA Championships, winning her first individual title in the 200 freestyle and posting the second fastest time in history. Just shy of Missy Franklin’s long-standing record, Moesch’s swim helped lead Virginia to another dominant showing, including 4 titles in relays anchoring the fastest split in the 800 free relay.

**2nd Youngest Male US Swimmer To Qualify For the Olympics since Michael Phelps!What does it actually take to develop an Olympic swimmer?In this conversation, we explore how Indiana Swimming, USA Swimming resources, and intentional club culture helped shape Luke Whitlock’s pathway to the 2024 Paris Olympics.From IMX metrics and training standards to national team development resources, this interview highlights how vision, ownership, and system alignment create repeatable excellence — not accidental success.Topics include:• USA Swimming’s national pathway & development tools• Indiana Swimming’s LSC impact• Club-level culture and performance standards• The role of IMX, IMR, and measurable progress• What parts of an Olympic pathway are truly repeatableThis isn’t just a success story — it’s a development roadmap.

From winning a national title to breaking an American Record, Anna breaks down her journey with Indiana, racing under pressure, racing in the Olympics, and how a winning culture across campus fuels success.

Ivy League All-American Jack Kelly turned down corporate offers after graduation to pursue professional swimming. In 2025, he set the Ivy League record in the 100 breaststroke and is now training under Bob Bowman with his sights set on the 2028 Olympics.

Skyler Smith joins Swim and Tell fresh off an incredible week of racing at the TYR Pro Series in Austin, where she won the 50 breaststroke in 30.43 and placed second in the 100 breast 🏆🔥In this episode, Skylar breaks down:Her mindset going into finals and how she approached the 50 breaststrokeWhat makes Austin such a fast poolBehind-the-scenes moments from the TYR Pro SeriesHow she balances professional swimming and grad schoolThe confidence and energy she brings to racing — and where it comes fromHer biggest highlight swim of 2025 and what she’s chasing in 2026Upcoming meets she’s most excited aboutGo-to hype songs, pre-race routines, and superstitionsAdvice for younger swimmersThe hardest winter training set she survived 😮‍💨If you love elite swimming, pro athlete insight, and real talk about the grind — this one’s for you.👇 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop your favorite Skylar Smith race in the comments!

SEC Champion Peyton Curry went through the college recruiting journey twice. Now she’s helping the next generation of student-athletes. With One Lap Ahead, Curry shares the secrets to choosing the right program, staying grounded, and standing out in the recruiting process.

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