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This week, Alex Sutton is joined by Luke Guy for an episode that almost didn’t happen thanks to a small technical hiccup 😅. After regrouping, the boys dive straight into bonus territory, covering everything from Jim Guy’s unforgettable wedding and best man duties done properly 🍻 to shared accommodation dramas and freezing air con disputes ❄️. The conversation then shifts poolside, with Luke opening up about his return to masters swimming, the realities of training load, and why swimming is truly an all or nothing sport 🏊‍♂️. There’s also a deep dive into what’s coming in 2026, including Commonwealth Games storylines, international rivals, and some very spicy talk around a potential British 4x200 freestyle world record attempt 👀🔥. To finish, Alex puts Luke’s legendary swimming memory to the test with The Splits Quiz and unsurprisingly it delivers 🤯. Times, placings, relay orders, it’s all in there. Technical issues, top tier swim chat, and elite level nostalgia. Enjoy this one 🎧✨

Alex Sutton is joined by co host Luke Withers for a wide ranging catch up as the racing season kicks off. They open with life updates from the pool, including the shock of swimming in an uncomfortably warm 30.8°C pool, where masters swimmers voiced their complaints and Alex reluctantly admits to being one of them. Luke shares stories from a busy start to the season as both a swimmer and coach, while Alex reflects on returning to regular training and the small identity crisis that comes with moving between different pool environments. The conversation then turns to open water swimming following the cancellation of the Sydney Harbour Splash after multiple shark attacks along the New South Wales coast. Alex and Luke explore how open water racing differs from pool swimming, why it is an inherently aggressive and unpredictable sport, and the unique skills required to manage mass starts, positioning, and sprint finishes. Luke shares his own experiences training in open water and discusses future ambitions, while both highlight why pool swimmers often underestimate the physical and mental demands of open water racing. To wrap up, Alex breaks down his first long course race, including a 400m and a sub 30 second 50m freestyle, with Luke providing technical insight into sprinting, pacing, and why long course and short course swimming should never be treated as interchangeable. The episode closes with a new quick fire segment, Three Questions with Withers, touching on the Enhanced Games, swimming meme culture, and whether scrolling through gala results is really the best way to find a girlfriend. Enjoy 😀

Alex Sutton is joined once again by Luke Guy, bringing an informed and honest perspective shaped by a lifetime in elite swimming and his work within the sport. Luke reflects on growing up alongside his brother James Guy, sharing how swimming was ingrained in family life from an early age and how a strong work ethic helped shape success at the highest level. The conversation dives into the current state of British Swimming and the sport’s visibility more broadly. Luke offers clear views on what’s working, what needs to evolve, and why swimming continues to struggle for mainstream attention. Discussing media coverage, accessibility for fans, and why modern formats that prioritise entertainment and storytelling are vital for the sport’s future. The episode also explores what world-class performance really looks like, revisiting iconic swims from British swimmers and international athletes. Alex and Luke finish by examining racing frequency and athlete readiness, questioning whether swimming would benefit from more regular competition and a system that keeps athletes race-ready all year round.

We’re back for 2026 with a Best Bits special! Alex returns solo to the world-famous Wednesday 6 a.m. slot with a handpicked compilation of standout moments from 2025. Reflecting on the conversations, chaos, and characters that made the year unforgettable, this episode features: Tom Dean on the Singapore World ChampionshipsA lively segment with Katie Shanahan and Freya AndersonThe now-infamous chicken suit clip with Spencer MatthewsTransfer and swimming expert Luke Withers, revisiting the beloved transfer talk episode still a favourite, especially for his Italian accentCatch all the highlights, laughs, and unforgettable moments from last year! JOIN OUR PATREON HERE: https://patreon.com/TheWeeklyFreestyle?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink See you next Wednesday.

🎄✨ The Weekly Freestyle – Christmas Special 2025 ✨🎄 Santa’s come early to The Weekly Freestyle 🎅🎙️ as Alex Sutton dons the Christmas hat and welcomes Luke Withers and a jet lagged Tom Dean back from Australia for a proper festive freestyle! There are Christmas crackers (pulled correctly), questionable jokes, riddles that may or may not make sense, and gifts straight from around the world including a European Union sweatshirt and golf balls from Royal Sydney ⛳🎁. Drinks are poured, electrolytes are debated, and the festive vibes are flowing. Tom breaks down a whirlwind travel schedule from Europe to Brisbane, chats racing medleys, new events, PBs, and even opens up about a controversial DQ (yes, that IM turn…). The team also dish out brilliant advice for masters swimmers juggling training with mince pies and mulled wine 🏊‍♂️🍷. Looking ahead, the 2026 swimming calendar gets a festive preview, before things descend into chaos with Christmas unpopular opinions (when should you eat Christmas dinner?!) and a fiercely contested 2025 Christmas Quiz complete with buzzers, swimming trivia, and a dramatic tiebreaker. To top it all off, Alex delivers a handcrafted Christmas poem, “A Freestyle Christmas 2025 Fine in Rhyme”, wrapping up an incredible year for the podcast 🎄❤️ Crackers pulled. Hats worn. Freestyle festive chaos delivered.

In this episode of The Weekly Freestyle, I’m joined once again by Charlie Harris - Digital Communications Officer at Scottish Swimming and host of The Aqua Pod let's dive straight into one of the biggest talking points in swimming right now. Let’s get straight to it… are Team USA trying to sabotage Team GB ahead of the LA 2028 Olympics? We break down the controversial changes to the Olympic swimming schedule, including the moving of the 200M IM closer to the 4by2oom freestyle Relay final: Is this actually allowed?Who’s responsible for making these decisions?Can Team GB appeal?And is there anything Team GB (or other nations) could do in response?We also look at past examples, from Leon Marchand’s schedule in Paris as he won butterfly and breaststroke gold in one night. Plus, we lighten things up with a bonus segment: Pool of the Week, as Charlie shares his pick and we discuss what makes a great swimming venue. As always, thanks for listening and a big thank you to Charlie Harris from The Aqua Pod for joining me once again.

This week we review the short course championships in Lublin, Poland. Luke Withers jumps on the show to discuss the week of racing. GB took a smaller squad to this champs but does this make for the lack of silverware compared to 2 years ago in Romania? We discuss the best swims of the week, new names rising through the ranks and even some DQs… Should we be seeing our best swimmers at all of these major meets?

This week, host Alex is joined by Scottish swimming expert Charlie Harris, the voice behind the popular show The Aqua Pod. Together, they dive into all things swimming, life, and Scotland. Charlie shares his expert take on the ongoing European Short Course Championships offering predictions, highlighting key contenders, and breaking down where the biggest challenges lie. To top it all off, the duo wraps up the episode with a fun round of “Higher or Lower,” featuring past championship host cities. It’s a lively, insightful, and highly entertaining episode you won’t want to miss!

This week we dive into early season from action from across Europe and America! Who is looking good, who is looking not so good and we discuss who Team GB's biggest prospect could be this year. Finally we have some swimming to talk about :)

This week on TWF Alex is joined by Luke Withers who was our undercover podcasting agent at this year's Aquatics GB awards. Who were the winners and losers? What's the latest goss and why were so many people away? Was it the event of the year!

Host Alex Sutton is joined by none other than three-time Olympic gold medalist Tom Dean for a stacked episode you won’t want to miss. There’s plenty to unpack starting with Tom’s recent outing at World Championships in Singapore, which didn’t exactly go to plan… but why? Tom gives us the inside story. We dive into his remarkable seven-year journey at the Bath Performance Centre, reflecting on the incredible success he built alongside legendary coach Dave McNulty a partnership that has brought plenty of success to our shores. Then it’s onto the next chapter: Tom’s first day at his new training base in Stirling. From fresh faces to first impressions, it’s giving first day at school energy swim bag, nerves and all. Oh… and we had to talk about that photo. You know the one. How did it happen? What was going through his head? We get the full breakdown. It’s raw, it’s honest, it’s elite sport behind the scenes. And as always, thank you for listening!

This week, Alex Sutton is joined by Luke Withers to dive into Aquatic GB’s Transfer Deadline Day with unrivalled insight from across British swimming. From the biggest moves to the behind-the-scenes buzz, we break down what it all means for the season ahead. We also share a laugh over Tom’s entertaining signing photo at Stirling, one you won’t want to miss, before switching lanes to talk about masters swimming. Whether you’re already competing or just thinking about it, we discuss why masters events are some of the most fun meets around and why you should consider getting involved. Tune in for analysis, stories, and plenty of swimming chat - it’s another packed episode of The Weekly Freestyle.

This week on The Weekly Freestyle, Alex Sutton is joined by Luke Withers to dive into one of the biggest stories shaking up the swimming world: Ben Proud’s controversial move to the Enhanced Games. We ask the tough questions: Has Proud’s decision tarnished his legacy?Has the sport failed one of its brightest stars?And what about the health risks that come with this choice?Plus, we break down all the latest drama from Aquatics GB’s transfer deadline day, who’s on the move, who’s staying put, and what it all means for the future of British swimming.

We're at the halfway point of the World Championships, and the pool has already seen shockwaves. Have Team USA lost their edge? World records are tumbling, but who’s making history? And with the pressure mounting, how are the Brits holding up? They need a medal soon. This week, Alex is joined by swimming expert and coach Luke Withers to break down the biggest stories so far, assess the standout performances, and ask: who's going to rise, and who's falling behind? Enjoy and watch the swimming!!!

This week on The Weekly Freestyle, Alex sits down with two of Britain’s top swimmers Freya Anderson and Katie Shanahan for an honest, inspiring, and fun conversation you won’t want to miss. We dive into life behind the lanes as they chat about living and training together in Stirling, their recent trips abroad, and how they’re adjusting to a new training setup. With the World Championships in Singapore on the horizon, hear what’s driving them, what they’re aiming for, and how they’re getting there. Freya and Katie also open up about their work with Fast and Female, discussing the worrying drop out rates among girls in sport. They share powerful insights into the challenges women face from body image to performance pressures and why it’s so important to normalise these conversations. And of course, we wrap things up with a quickfire round revealing favourite snacks, secret quirks, and a few surprises along the way. Enjoy ☺️