The Diving Pod

In this week’s episode of The Diving Pod, we’re joined by Auburn freshman Ben Wilson, a talented diver from Australia who shares the story of how he found his way to the NCAA and the Auburn Tigers. Ben walks us through his unique recruiting journey, from training Down Under to connecting with Auburn’s powerhouse program, and reflects on the transition to college life in the U.S. He also opens up about his goals for the future—both in collegiate diving and beyond. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about opportunity, ambition, and what it takes to chase your dreams across the world.

In this special episode of The Diving Pod, we welcome PDCA Member Aaron Hintz, who is leading a groundbreaking initiative — the first-ever official PDCA Diving Ratings & Rankings. This marks a historic moment for the sport, as diving finally joins the ranks of other collegiate and Olympic sports with a structured, data-driven ranking system designed to celebrate consistency, difficulty, and execution across all levels. Aaron dives into how the rankings were developed, the goals behind the project, and what it means for athletes, coaches, and fans moving forward. We discuss the impact this system could have on the visibility and growth of diving, and what the future might look like now that performance across the country can be compared on an even playing field. Tune in for a fascinating conversation that could redefine how the diving world evaluates excellence.

In this episode, Heath and Aaron dive into their bold predictions for the upcoming NCAA Diving Championships — breaking down who they think will take home the titles on both the men’s and women’s sides.  They also unpack the first-ever PDCA Individual Diving Rankings, discussing how they were created, what they reveal about the current state of collegiate diving, and what impact they could have moving forward.

This week on The Diving Pod, we dive into the story of Molly Gray, Stanford’s newest freshman standout. A decorated junior competitor turned collegiate hopeful, Molly is already making waves in the diving community.

This week on The Diving Pod, we sit down with Bo Bridges, a sophomore diver at the University of Arizona. Bo shares his journey navigating the challenges of roster cuts and the transfer portal, offering an honest look at the ups and downs of college athletics. He also talks about what excites him most about his new chapter in Tucson and the opportunities ahead as a Wildcat.

The Diving Pod – Featuring Jake Passmore This week, we sit down with Miami sophomore diver Jake Passmore, who has already made waves on the international stage representing Ireland at the Olympics. Jake takes us inside his recruiting journey to Miami, shares what it was like training and competing at the Olympic level, and talks about the grind of pushing for bigger dives on 3-meter as he continues to raise the bar in his career.

In this inspiring episode, The Diving Pod spotlights Kayleigh Clark, a 6th-year senior whose journey through the sport of diving is defined by resilience, grit, and perseverance. Despite battling through years of injuries and setbacks, Kayleigh never let go of her dream. Now, with her collegiate career nearing its pinnacle, she’s finally getting her chance to shine on the boards. Kayleigh opens up about the physical and mental challenges of competing at the highest level while rehabbing injuries, the lessons she’s learned about patience and persistence, and the support system that helped carry her through the toughest moments. Her story is one of redemption and triumph—showing how the love for the sport and the determination to finish strong can overcome even the steepest obstacles. This episode is a must-listen for athletes, coaches, and anyone who believes in the power of staying the course when the odds are stacked against you.

In this episode of The Diving Pod, we sit down with Rutgers sophomore diver Katerina Hoffman. She shares her journey in the sport, the unique experience of having both of her parents as coaches—her mom at the collegiate level and her dad at the club level—and how her close-knit family has shaped her diving career.

Indiana University freshman diver Josh Hedberg joins The Diving Pod to share his journey into the sport, his move to Indiana for elite club training, and his commitment to IU. Josh opens up about what it’s like to chase big dreams at a young age and how he’s preparing for the future on one of diving’s biggest stages.

In this episode of The Diving Pod, Heath and Aaron sit down to recap three of the biggest events in the sport this summer—Junior Nationals, World Championships, and the Junior Pan Am Games. From standout dives to breakout performances, they break down the highlights, share their insights on rising stars, and reflect on what these competitions mean for the future of diving in the U.S. and internationally. Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or fan of the sport, this recap delivers an inside look at the action, the athletes, and the storylines shaping the season.

In this episode of The Diving Pod, we reveal our Top 10 U.S. male and female senior divers. From Olympians to NCAA standouts, we break down the athletes shaping the sport — joined by a special guest sharing their own top 10 list and insights.

Espen Bergslien – Building Norway’s Diving Future In this episode, we sit down with Espen Bergslien, Head Coach of the Norwegian National Diving Team. Espen shares his journey from athlete to national coach, the evolution of diving in Norway, and the challenges and opportunities of developing elite athletes in a smaller diving nation. He offers insight into Norway’s training philosophy. From grassroots development to preparing athletes for the world stage, Espen’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence.

In this episode, we sit down with Norwegian national team diver Isak Borslien to talk about his journey in the sport. From discovering diving in Norway to progressing through junior competitions, Isak shares how his love for the sport evolved into an international career. He walks us through his transition into senior-level meets and talks on the upcoming experience of representing Norway at the 2025 World Championships, where he will competed on both 3-meter springboard and platform. Tune in to hear about the mindset, training, and passion it takes to compete on the world stage.

In this episode, we sit down with Tracy Lee, the visionary founder of SWIM (Some Want It More), to discuss an exciting new chapter in diving talent development. Tracy unveils her groundbreaking project — a Diving Combine — designed to reshape how diving coaches discover and evaluate prospective athletes. Much like the NFL Combine, this event will feature a series of structured drills and skills assessments, allowing divers to showcase their athleticism, technique, and potential in front of college coaches from across the country. Tracy shares the inspiration behind the idea, the format of the event, and why it’s poised to become a game-changer in collegiate diving recruitment. Whether you’re a coach looking for new scouting opportunities, an athlete eager to get noticed, or a fan of innovation in the sport, this episode offers a sneak peek into what could be the future of diving development. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with a leader who’s pushing boundaries and creating opportunities for the next generation of divers.

In this episode of The Diving Pod, we sit down with the legendary Israel Zavaleta, the most decorated male diver in NCAA history. From his humble beginnings to becoming a dominant force in collegiate diving, Israel opens up about his journey, training mentality, and the pivotal moments that shaped his record-breaking career.

In this episode of The Diving Pod, we sit down with Stephanie O'Callaghan, the head diving coach at the University of North Texas. With a deep background in both coaching and athlete development, Coach O'Callaghan shares her journey through the diving world — from her early days in the sport to leading a Division I program.