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Tri Swim Coach Podcast

Dominic Latella
130 episodes   Last Updated: May 18, 25
Whether you’re barely surviving your first triathlon swim or trying to shave seconds off your Ironman split, this podcast’s got something for you. It’s training tips, real talk, and occasional chaos—all from Tri Swim Coach and a bunch of folks who’ve actually done the damn thing, including pros and long-time coaches. You’ll hear stories, advice, some laughs, and maybe even figure out how to swim faster without feeling like you're drowning in regret. Hosted by Kevin Koskella, a dude who's been in the swim game for over 27 years and still has all his hair—this is your spot if you're trying to level up and not get smoked in open water. Jump in.

Episodes

May 18, 2025
TSC Teaser - #169
================================================================== Sponsor: 🏊‍♂️ Big thanks to SwimBox — where your swimming gets better and no one judges your recovery. 👉 https://www.theswimbox.com ================================================================== YouTube: https://youtu.be/2odTqepF5Zg TSC Newsletter: https://sendfox.com/triswimcoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triswimcoach/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/triswimcoach TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@triswimcoach?_t=ZP-8vfKANQ964N&_r=1   SUPPORT OUR STUFF 🫁 Breathe Better, Race Stronger Take the Freestyle Breathing Course: 👉 triswimcoach.com/tri-swim-breathing 🥇 Tri Swim Success Program Go from “I hate swimming” to “I get it now”: 👉 triswimcoach.com/tri-swim-program4
Alright, this episode is a wild one. I’m sitting down with Ryan Stille, an open-water swimmer who basically threw front-quadrant freestyle out the window and decided to swim like a normal human. You know, with actual efficiency and momentum not that “pause-and-pray” nonsense that everybody loves to preach. We get into the whole transformation: how he went from dragging through the water like he was towing a small boat to slicing through it like a damn torpedo.    Here is Ryan during his Lake Tahoe Swim: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9U9_zoBZUR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== ================================================================== Sponsor: 🏊‍♂️ Big thanks to SwimBox — where your swimming gets better and no one judges your recovery. 👉 https://www.theswimbox.com ================================================================== YouTube: https://youtu.be/2odTqepF5Zg TSC Newsletter: https://sendfox.com/triswimcoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triswimcoach/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/triswimcoach TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@triswimcoach?_t=ZP-8vfKANQ964N&_r=1   SUPPORT OUR STUFF 🫁 Breathe Better, Race Stronger Take the Freestyle Breathing Course: 👉 triswimcoach.com/tri-swim-breathing 🥇 Tri Swim Success Program Go from “I hate swimming” to “I get it now”: 👉 triswimcoach.com/tri-swim-program4
May 11, 2025
TSC Teaser - #168
Alright, this episode is a wild one. I’m sitting down with Ryan Stille, an open-water swimmer who basically threw front-quadrant freestyle out the window and decided to swim like a normal human. You know, with actual efficiency and momentum not that “pause-and-pray” nonsense that everybody loves to preach. We get into the whole transformation: how he went from dragging through the water like he was towing a small boat to slicing through it like a damn torpedo.  ================================================================== Sponsor: 🏊‍♂️ Big thanks to SwimBox — where your swimming gets better and no one judges your recovery. 👉 https://www.theswimbox.com ================================================================== YouTube: https://youtu.be/2odTqepF5Zg TSC Newsletter: https://sendfox.com/triswimcoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triswimcoach/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/triswimcoach TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@triswimcoach?_t=ZP-8vfKANQ964N&_r=1   SUPPORT OUR STUFF 🫁 Breathe Better, Race Stronger Take the Freestyle Breathing Course: 👉 triswimcoach.com/tri-swim-breathing 🥇 Tri Swim Success Program Go from “I hate swimming” to “I get it now”: 👉 triswimcoach.com/tri-swim-program4
So in this one, we spiral—emotionally and professionally. We talk about Top Chef making us cry, why your arms shouldn't be twins (yes, like your eyebrows), and how telling someone “real swimmers go under 2:00” is basically psychological warfare in a swim cap. Also, keyhole pulls? Trash. Gone. Antiquated like floppy disks and landlines. Oh—and one of my swimmers dropped 50 minutes off his marathon swim after we stopped doing what the internet says is “correct.” So yeah, maybe rethink that pretty little front quadrant glide. It’s a mix of rants, weird metaphors, swim coaching, and probably some oversharing. You’ll like it. YouTube: https://youtu.be/2odTqepF5Zg TSC Newsletter: https://sendfox.com/triswimcoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triswimcoach/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/triswimcoach TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@triswimcoach?_t=ZP-8vfKANQ964N&_r=1 ================================================================== SUPPORT OUR STUFF 🫁 Breathe Better, Race Stronger Take the Freestyle Breathing Course: 👉 triswimcoach.com/tri-swim-breathing 🥇 Tri Swim Success Program Go from “I hate swimming” to “I get it now”: 👉 triswimcoach.com/tri-swim-program4 ======================================================================= Sponsor: 🏊‍♂️ Big thanks to SwimBox — where your swimming gets better and no one judges your recovery. 👉 https://www.theswimbox.com
What do eyebrows, shoulder pumps, and Reddit have in common? Apparently… swimming. We get into why your arms shouldn’t be twins, how “failure” might be the best coach you’ve ever had, and why outdated technique advice just won’t die. 🧠 If you've ever thought “I'm not a swimmer”, you need to hear this. 🎙️ Catch the full episode every Monday at 5 a.m., perfect timing to fire up your brain (and maybe your swim) before that morning workout. Don’t miss it. TSC Newsletter: https://sendfox.com/triswimcoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triswimcoach/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/triswimcoach TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@triswimcoach?_t=ZP-8vfKANQ964N&_r=1 Sponsor 🏊‍♂️ Big thanks to SwimBox – where your swimming gets better and no one judges your feet. 👉 https://www.theswimbox.com   SUPPORT OUR STUFF 🫁 Breathe Better, Race Stronger Take the Freestyle Breathing Course: 👉 triswimcoach.com/tri-swim-breathing 🥇 Tri Swim Success Program Go from “I hate swimming” to “I get it now”: 👉 triswimcoach.com/tri-swim-program4
In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most misunderstood pieces of freestyle: the recovery. You’ve probably been told you need a “high elbow.” Maybe you’ve spent way too much time trying to make your recovery look pretty instead of making it functional. We’re blowing all of that up today. I’ll walk you through why the way you bring your arm forward absolutely matters, why mimicking fast swimmers can actually slow you down, and why your shoulder blade — not your elbow — should be driving the whole show. We’re talking recovery types (straight arm vs relaxed), the problem with "front quadrant" freestyle, the real reason fingertip drag drills can backfire, and how your recovery sets the stage for everything that happens next. Swimming isn’t about looking good. It’s about moving well. Let’s rethink your recovery and make freestyle way easier — and way faster. YouTube: https://youtu.be/2odTqepF5Zg TSC Newsletter: https://sendfox.com/triswimcoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triswimcoach/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/triswimcoach TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@triswimcoach?_t=ZP-8vfKANQ964N&_r=1 ================================================================== SUPPORT OUR STUFF 🫁 Breathe Better, Race Stronger Take the Freestyle Breathing Course: 👉 triswimcoach.com/tri-swim-breathing 🥇 Tri Swim Success Program Go from “I hate swimming” to “I get it now”: 👉 triswimcoach.com/tri-swim-program4 ======================================================================= Sponsor: 🏊‍♂️ Big thanks to SwimBox — where your swimming gets better and no one judges your recovery. 👉 https://www.theswimbox.com
Think your recovery doesn’t matter? Think again. In tomorrow’s full episode, I’m breaking down why how you bring your arm forward in freestyle can make or break your entire stroke. We’ll talk about why “high elbow recovery” is mostly nonsense, why your shoulder blade, not your elbow, is the real MVP, and how fixing your recovery can unlock smoother, faster, way more efficient swimming. TSC Newsletter: https://sendfox.com/triswimcoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triswimcoach/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/triswimcoach TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@triswimcoach?_t=ZP-8vfKANQ964N&_r=1 Sponsor 🏊‍♂️ Big thanks to SwimBox – where your swimming gets better and no one judges your feet. 👉 https://www.theswimbox.com   SUPPORT OUR STUFF 🫁 Breathe Better, Race Stronger Take the Freestyle Breathing Course: 👉 triswimcoach.com/tri-swim-breathing 🥇 Tri Swim Success Program Go from “I hate swimming” to “I get it now”: 👉 triswimcoach.com/tri-swim-program4
In this episode, we’re cracking open the chaos that is your freestyle rotation. Spoiler: if you’re flipping over like a damn rotisserie chicken or swimming flat like a pancake, you’re doing it wrong. We break down why 45 degrees is the magic number, how your shoulder blades are secretly calling the shots, and why your kick should not be the engine turning your body. YouTube: https://youtu.be/2odTqepF5Zg TSC Newsletter: https://sendfox.com/triswimcoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triswimcoach/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/triswimcoach TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@triswimcoach?_t=ZP-8vfKANQ964N&_r=1 Sponsor 🏊‍♂️ Big thanks to SwimBox – where your swimming gets better and no one judges your feet. 👉 https://www.theswimbox.com   SUPPORT OUR STUFF 🫁 Breathe Better, Race Stronger Take the Freestyle Breathing Course: 👉 triswimcoach.com/tri-swim-breathing 🥇 Tri Swim Success Program Go from “I hate swimming” to “I get it now”: 👉 triswimcoach.com/tri-swim-program4
Back for round two, and yes—we’re still talking about your kick. Because guess what? It’s still not working the way you think it is. In this episode, we’re diving deeper into flutter kick mechanics: tight ankles, sleepy hamstrings, and the mysterious “smiley face line” under your tush (you’ll know it when you feel it). We’re breaking down why your ankles matter more than your effort, how to actually use your cool down for something other than staring at the bottom of the pool, and why your legs might be sinking because… you’re literally pushing them down. Yeah. That’s happening. There’s also a surprise detour into stream-of-consciousness novels, Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle, and a heated debate over Bravo’s best trash TV. You didn’t ask for that, but you’re getting it anyway. This is the kicking episode that gets into the weeds—in a good way. If your freestyle still feels like a fight, or you just want one good thing to focus on next time you swim, this one’s got it. Sponsor 🏊‍♂️ Big thanks to SwimBox – where your swimming gets better and no one judges your feet. 👉 https://www.theswimbox.com ================================================================= Click here to Join the TSC Newsletter 12-10-8-6-4 Kicking Drill for Freestyle | Build Coordination, Control & Awareness: https://youtu.be/J1MfEgucKb8 SUPPORT OUR STUFF 🫁 Breathe Better, Race Stronger Take the Freestyle Breathing Course: 👉 triswimcoach.com/tri-swim-breathing 🥇 Tri Swim Success Program Go from “I hate swimming” to “I get it now”: 👉 triswimcoach.com/tri-swim-program4 ================================================================= [00:00] VHS camcorder jokes, podcast video experiments & solo podcasting struggles [04:27] A listener comment sparks more kick talk: quads vs. hamstrings [07:52] “My legs feel like they’re sinking” — breaking down why [10:43] The “smiley face line” under your tush and how to use it [13:30] Common kick mistakes: bicycle kick, knee-down, locked ankles [18:11] Ankles matter: how flexion is killing your kick (and how to fix it) [21:08] Pro tip: draw the alphabet with your ankles [24:15] Tight hips, sports crossover, and how it shows up in the water [28:06] Triathlete tip: find what part of your leg gets tired first [31:00] “Big toe rope” visualization from client Pete – great for alignment [34:40] Cool downs as sneaky technique work – stop sleeping on them [37:55] Warm down vs. cool down – a nerdy debate [41:08] Why you should always swim first before running or lifting [45:33] Literature detour: Mrs. Dalloway, The Hours, and The Jungle [49:50] Bravo TV, Vanderpump on the trainer, and guilty pleasures [54:20] Wrapping it up: thoughts for your next swim & being mentally present
Click here to Join the TSC Newsletter SUPPORT OUR STUFF 🫁 Click Here: To flip this one breathing switch and swim further than you ever thought you could without gassing out or training harder 🥇 Tri Swim Success Program Go from “I hate swimming” to “I get it now”: 👉 triswimcoach.com/tri-swim-program4 🧠 Want Help With Your Kick or Breathing? DM me on Instagram @triswimcoach or email me at dominic@triswimcoach.com — I’ll help you figure it out. Sponsor 🏊‍♂️ Big thanks to SwimBox – where your swimming gets better and no one judges. 👉 https://www.theswimbox.com