Unfiltered Waters

New USA Swimming CEO Kevin Ring joins Unfiltered Waters to share first impressions after Golden Goggles, why he sees this moment as a fresh start built on transparency and real vulnerability, and how he plans to support the full ecosystem—athletes, clubs, coaches—while “turning the page.” Priorities include removing barriers to water access and backing the whole athlete (performance, mental health, nutrition, medical) on the path to LA 2028. Ring also outlines a year-round storytelling push (...

Olympic gold medalist, American record holder, and world champion Simone Manuel returns to Unfiltered Waters for an in-person sit-down in Austin. She traces the climb back from overtraining and the breakthrough of dipping under 53 again with a 52 for the first time since 2019. We dig into what really happened at Worlds—the team illness that rattled camp, the timing of outside commentary—and what support swimmers need from USA Swimming. Simone opens up about the resources and next steps with B...

Australian icon Cate Campbell sits down with Katie for a candid conversation about clearing the Aussie–U.S. “banter” that went viral and why it was always about respect and rivalry pushing the sport forward. She lays out how a people-first culture beats results-at-all-costs—and how that shift transformed Australian swimming. ----- Subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform, and follow us on social media (https://linktr.ee/unfilteredwaters) for clips, bonus content, and updates th...

Katie heads to Austin, Texas to sit down with Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas. She opens up about putting her health first, navigating expectations between global championships, and the daily systems—training, recovery, and mindset—that keep her explosive on the line, plus the honest realities of performing when the world is watching. ----- Subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform, and follow us on social media (https://linktr.ee/unfilteredwaters) for clips, bonus content, and up...

Katie and Missy sit down with CrossFit Games athlete and Team Adidas athlete Sydney Wells. She opens up about the transition from collegiate track at Mizzou to the CrossFit floor, the mindset switch she calls “GUTS,” building confidence under pressure, and the daily systems that keep her leveling up—plus the honest realities behind chasing the Games. ----- Subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform, and follow us on social media (https://linktr.ee/unfilteredwaters) for clips, bon...

Katie and Missy sit down with 18-year-old Olympian and World medalist Claire Weinstein. She shares the rollercoaster of Worlds, from illness and tough event decisions to “trauma bonding” with teammates, plus racing her idol Katie Ledecky, overcoming imposter syndrome, her lucky Spiderman socks, and the story behind her Olympic tattoo. ----- DONATE TO EMILY KLUEH: https://www.gofundme.com/f/4sdbz-supp... ----- Subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform, and follow us on social med...

In this episode, Katie and Missy tackle listener questions on everything from handling off days and finding balance, to the highs and lows of life after swimming. They share laughs while building their dream relay teams, reflect on what they truly miss (and don’t miss) about the sport, and open up about identity, confidence, and life beyond the pool.-----DONATE TO EMILY KLUEH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gofundme.com/f/4sdbz-support-emilys-battle-against-cancer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-----Subscribe a...

In this episode, Katie sits down with 2x Olympic gold medalist Bobby Finke. They discuss everything from battling illness at Worlds to late-night data dives, Bobby shares the lessons, mindset shifts, and team pride that kept him pushing forward. He opens up about criticism, training quirks, and the drive to put USA men back on top—plus a few laughs about four-city debates and sprinting through 4,000 meters.-----DONATE TO EMILY KLUEH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gofundme.com/f/4sdbz-support-emi...

In this episode, Katie and Missy reunite for a long-awaited World Championships recap, unpacking the highs, lows, and untold stories — from the Thailand training camp food poisoning to the “web shooters down” call for unity. They react to mid-meet criticism from swimming legends, celebrate standout performances from Katie Ledecky, Gretchen Walsh, and Jack Alexy, and share the behind-the-scenes moments that define Team USA’s grit, pride, and culture.-----DONATE TO EMILY KLUEH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ht...

In this episode, Katie sits down with 3x Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Adam Peaty to talk about rebuilding after Paris, chasing greatness, and why “better than yesterday” drives everything he does. He shares lessons from stepping away, thoughts on the 50m in LA, and the bet that might land Kyle Chalmers’ signature on his leg.-----DONATE TO EMILY KLUEH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gofundme.com/f/4sdbz-support-emilys-battle-against-cancer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-----Subscribe and watch full v...

Katie and Beisel are back with a World Champs preview that’s part swim talk, part storytime, and some fun. They break down the rookies to watch, the races that have them fired up, and what makes Summer McIntosh so unreal. Plus, wild monkey stories from Olympic camp, lessons from tough races, and a tribute to Lilly King’s epic career. It’s fun, unfiltered, and full of behind-the-scenes moments you don’t want to miss.-----DONATE TO EMILY KLUEH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gofundme.com/f/4sdbz-suppo...

In this episode, Katie and Beisel sit down with Olympian and World Record Holder, Shaine Casas to talk resilience, reinvention, and rising to the moment. Shaine opens up about the challenges that shaped him from missing the Olympic team and facing public scrutiny, to rebuilding confidence under coach Bob Bowman. He shares how trust, tough love, and finding joy outside the pool helped reignite his passion and reach a new level of performance.-----DONATE TO EMILY KLUEH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.g...

In this episode, Katie and Beisel sit down with Olympic bronze medalist Luke Hobson to talk confidence, comebacks, and chasing world records. Luke shares how scratching a final turned into the swim of his life, what it’s like to race on Team USA’s 4x200 relay, and why staying calm, even at the Olympics, is his secret edge.-----DONATE TO EMILY KLUEH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gofundme.com/f/4sdbz-support-emilys-battle-against-cancer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-----Subscribe and watch full video episodes on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

In this episode, Katie and Beisel dive into a fishbowl of unfiltered questions from 24-inch Subway sandwiches to rediscovering purpose after sport. Katie shares why she launched the podcast and her unexpected motivation to return to the pool, while Beisel reflects on confidence, leadership, and the challenge of letting go. Packed with team room memories, therapy insights, and one unforgettable hot dog.-----DONATE TO EMILY KLUEH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gofundme.com/f/4sdbz-support-emilys-battle...

In this episode, Katie and Elizabeth sit down with Australian distance swimmer and world champion Lani Pallister. Lani opens up about the trials that changed everything - from post-race vomit and missed teams to overcoming an eating disorder and finding her stride with a new coach. She talks about leaving her mom’s program, learning to be relentless, and the mindset shift that unlocked the best swims of her life. -----DONATE TO EMILY KLUEH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gofundme.com/f/4sdbz-support-em...

In this episode, Katie and Beisel sit down with Olympic gold medalist Kyle Chalmers to talk about his massive comeback, how cutting his training in half changed everything, and why this might be the best he’s ever felt. Kyle opens up about his tattoos, racing legends, becoming a dad, and what it really takes to stay on top - nearly a decade after shocking the world in Rio.-----DONATE TO EMILY KLUEH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gofundme.com/f/4sdbz-support-emilys-battle-against-cancer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-----Subs...

In this live episode from the US Swimming National Championships in Indianapolis, Katie and Elizabeth Beisel sit down with Olympic greats Lilly King, Cullen Jones, Rowdy Gaines, and Cody Miller for a high-energy, heartfelt celebration of swimming. From Lily’s fearless Rio moment to Cullen’s near-drowning turned Olympic triumph, they share the stories that shaped their careers and the sport. Plus, some surprise moments that made the night truly special!-----DONATE TO EMILY KLUEH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:...

In this episode, Katie and Elizabeth sit down with Red Bull cliff diver and Brave Gang founder Molly Carlson. Molly shares how missing the Olympics became the best thing that ever happened to her, how she turned fear into fuel, and why bravery—not perfection—is now her mission. She opens up about mental health, body image, the wild world of high diving, and how vulnerability helped her build a global movement.-----DONATE TO EMILY KLUEH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gofundme.com/f/4sdbz-support-emilys-ba...

In this episode, Katie and Beisel sit down with Olympic head coach and NCAA champion Greg Meehan. They talk about the pressure of leading Team USA in Tokyo, the weight of unmet expectations, and the personal reset that followed. Greg opens up about what it takes to lead on the world stage, how he’s refocusing on the fundamentals, and why real change starts with accountability.-----DONATE TO EMILY KLUEH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gofundme.com/f/4sdbz-support-emilys-battle-against-cancer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-----Subscr...

In this episode, Katie and Elizabeth Beisel sit down with Olympic silver medalist and world champion Bella Sims! They dive into the mindset shifts that helped her fall back in love with swimming, how she’s learned to embrace pressure, and the moment she almost stepped away from the sport. Bella opens up about burnout, mental resilience, and what it really takes to stay motivated at the highest level — even when things get hard.-----DONATE TO EMILY KLUEH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gofundme.com/f/4sdbz-s...