Episode 31: Cal Brown: Training Smart and Staying Healthy

In this episode, I tall with Cal Brown, a physical trainer who works closely with swimmers. Cal shares how he got into physical training, why he focuses on long term health instead of quick results, and what swimmers of different ages should be doing in the gym. He also talks about his podcast and how education plays a big role in helping athletes train effectively.

Key Lessons

1. Training should match your age and stage.Cal explains that younger swimmers do not need extreme workouts or heavy lifting. Instead, they should focus on learning good movement, building strength slowly, and staying injury free. As swimmers get older, training can become more intense, but only when the foundation is strong. Doing too much too early often leads to burnout or injury.

2. Strength training should support swimming, not fight it.Cal believes the gym should help swimmers move better in the water. Exercises should improve mobility, core strength, and balance, not make athletes stiff or tired. When strength training supports swimming, athletes feel stronger, faster, and more confident in the pool.

3. Staying healthy is part of success.Cal talks a lot about injury prevention, recovery, and listening to your body. He reminds swimmers that missing time due to injury can set you back more than taking an extra rest day. Staying healthy allows athletes to train consistently, which matters more than any single workout.

Final Thoughts

Cal’s message is clear and important. Training smart is better than training hard all the time. By focusing on proper movement, age appropriate training, and long term health, swimmers can enjoy the sport longer and perform better over time. His episode is a great reminder that taking care of your body is one of the most important parts of being a successful athlete.