Off the Deck

Jaime Lewis is the Head Coach of FLEET in Houston, Texas and she is sitting down with Chris Plumb on this week’s Off the Deck podcast! Jaime grew up swimming for the Woodlands Swim Team and competed for the University of Florida where she was an NCAA All-American. She started coaching with FLEET as an Age Group Coach, and then proceeded to work with the University of Houston Cougars, Gator Swim Club in Gainesville, and most recently worked as the Performance Development Manager for USA Swimming. Jaime and Chris discuss her experiences traveling the world for swimming — including her time with Team USA in Tokyo this summer — how she got her start in the pool, her collegiate experience, how her perspective on the sport evolved as she worked off the deck, and what challenges she’s embracing in leading FLEET.

A quick programming note: this will be the final Off the Deck episode of 2021! We look forward to sharing more conversations with you in the new year.

We’re back with part two of Chris’s interview with Mark Hesse. Their conversation continues and encompasses lessons Mark has learned through his coaching career, especially from his swimmers; the nature of the coach-athlete relationship as a partnership for optimal long-term athletic development; the quality coaching framework and the 4 Cs; the magic of mutual belief and trust; and of course a sprinkling of John Wooden.

A quick note on our audio: we apologize for the echo that pops up in this half of the interview! We’re continuing to learn and improve on this whole podcast front… thank you for your patience. The echo does not appear on any of Mark’s responses, it’s worth it to keep listening!

We’ve got a two-parter! This week, enjoy the first half of Chris’s conversation with Coach Mark Hesse. Mark, an Indiana Swimming Hall of Fame Coach, now lives and coaches in Colorado Springs. Chris and Mark discuss Mark’s start in coaching in northern Virginia and his move to Indiana… discovering along the way they both had the same first coaching jobs in Indiana (covering Carmel Swim Club’s Tigershark group!), Mark’s time building up a powerhouse group at Washington Township Swim Club and North Central High School, what he learned traveling the country and visiting teams as USA Swimming’s Performance Development Manager, and two keys to success for outstanding programs (trust us, one is an element you likely have not thought of before!). Tune in next week for the conclusion of Chris and Mark’s conversation.

The girls high school swimming season starts this week in Indiana, and in honor of that occasion, Chris Plumb is sitting down with the only 16-time champion in the history of the Indiana High School Athletic Association: Claire Adams. Now living in Denver where she works as a second grade teacher, Claire and Chris discuss how swimming continues to serve her as she leads her classroom. Claire reflects on her early swimming memories, high school career, and advice for swimmers embarking on their college search. She shares the nuances of ending her career in the pool and discusses the team culture, dynamics, and expectations at Carmel Swim Club.

Paul Donovan is the Director of Competitive Swimming for the Jersey Wahoos. Prior to his time there, he served as the Head Coach at the National Aquatic Centre Performance Centre for Swim Ireland. Chris and Paul discuss the differences between swimming in Ireland versus the United States; finding success in the midst of constraints; advice for club coaches, Paul’s training philosophy and the structure of the Jersey Wahoos, and the greatest challenges facing our athletes and coaches today.

Mike DeBoor started coaching with the Lakeside Seahawks in 1988 and has been their Head Coach since 1994. In his tenure, the Seahawks have placed four swimmers on US Olympic Teams and swimmers on 17 different USA Swimming National Teams. The 15-time Kentucky Senior Coach of the Year sits down on this week’s episode of Off the Deck with Chris Plumb. Chris and Mike discuss the early days of Mike’s coaching career and his transition from Head Age Group Coach to Head Coach at Lakeside. They also cover five components to which Mike attributes Lakeside’s long-standing success: retention, tradition, expectations, consistency, and atmosphere.

Dr. Brian Watters is the co-founder of Indy Muscle & Joint. A Chiropractor and National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, he also has his Pro Card from the International Federation of BodyBuilding. Brian talks with Chris Plumb about how he pursued his profession as a Chiropractor and how his practice has evolved. They discuss common injuries and issues Brian sees across young athletes in all sports and in adults. The key to Brian’s success and practice? Meeting people where they are! Listen to more from Brian and Chris on this week’s episode of Off the Deck. Find out more about Brian's practice at indymuscle.com.

Trude Rothrock is a Senior majoring in Microbiology and minoring in Spanish at the University of Tennessee. A seven-time All American, and an Academic All American, she also happens to be a Carmel Swim Club alum. Trude joins Chris Plumb on Off the Deck to discuss the privilege of responsibility, her success and continued improvement in college, how swimming with UT is truly a family affair for her, and her advice to the next generation of swimmers.

Rhiannon Sheets, CSC alumni swimmer and current coach, joins Chris Plumb this week. Rhiannon shares how she first got involved in swimming, what it was like to be part of the legacy of Carmel High School Swimming, and how her time as a swimmer at Purdue University helped shape her character and leadership skills. Chris and Rhiannon talk about her journey to coaching, how she’s gained confidence in her career, the nuances of coaching male and female swimmers, and some of the challenges she works to help athletes navigate today.

We share interviews with CSC alumni on our Carmel Swim Academy channels to celebrate the unique experiences and foundation swimming can provide your life. Now, we're adding these interviews to the Off the Deck podcast stream for more people to get to hear these stories. This week, hear from Logan Mason.

Newly-named Carmel Swim Club Associate Head Coach Chris Pfaff is this week’s guest on the Off the Deck Podcast. Chris and Chris Plumb dig into the path Chris’s coaching career has taken, the importance of patience, how to nurture the character of athletes in and out of the pool, what he loves most about coaching, and what he’s looking forward to as he embarks on this new role.

We share interviews with CSC alumni on our Carmel Swim Academy channels to celebrate the unique experiences and foundation swimming can provide your life. Now, we're adding these interviews to the Off the Deck podcast stream for more people to get to hear these stories. This week, hear from Taylor (Kelsch) Johnson.

The competitor in this summer’s (history’s?) most famous time trial and 2020 Olympian Jake Mitchell, joins Chris Plumb on this week’s episode of Off the Deck. Jake is starting his sophomore year at the University of Michigan where he majors in Biology. Chris and Jake talk through his training at Carmel Swim Club leading up to Olympic Trials, his mindset entering the meet, and his perspective on his 400 Free prelims and finals races. Chris and Jake both share their experiences of the infamous time trial. Jake shares more about the lead up to the Olympic Games, his time in Tokyo with Team USA, what he’s looking forward to in the sport, and more!

We share interviews with CSC alumni on our Carmel Swim Academy channels to celebrate the unique experiences and foundation swimming can provide your life. Now, we're adding these interviews to the Off the Deck podcast stream for more people to get to hear these stories. This week, hear from Peyton Mosbaugh.

Brent Arckey is the Head Coach and CEO of the Sarasota Sharks, and he sits down to chat with Chris Plumb on this week’s episode of Off the Deck. Brent shares his experiences training Emma Weyant (the 2020 Olympic Silver Medalist in the 400 IM) and his time with USA Swimming’s Training Camp in Hawaii, leading up to the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Chris and Brent dig into the dual Head Coach/CEO role and how Brent has built upon a 60 year legacy for the Sarasota Sharks, and the integration of Vern Gambetta’s GAIN Dryland program into their training.

We share interviews with CSC alumni on our Carmel Swim Academy channels to celebrate the unique experiences and foundation swimming can provide your life. Now, we're adding these interviews to the Off the Deck podcast stream for more people to get to hear these stories. This week, hear from Lucy Kramer.

Leah Gingrich competed in her first Olympic Trials in 2004, at the age of 14. Now 31, she is coming off this year’s Trials having made the semi-finals in the 200 Butterfly. After taking six years away from the pool after finishing her collegiate career at the University of Texas, her joy and passion for the sport have been reignited. Leah and Chris discuss the importance of having fun and finding ways to enjoy your time in the pool, how she made the decision to get back into the sport, advice for young swimmers navigating the recruiting process, and managing the challenges and demands of the sport.

We share interviews with CSC alumni on our Carmel Swim Academy channels to celebrate the unique experiences and foundation swimming can provide your life. Now, we're adding these interviews to the Off the Deck podcast stream for more people to get to hear these stories. This week, hear from Elizabeth Flaherty.

**Elizabeth recorded with us this spring and has since accepted a new job as the Director of Operations for Swimming and Diving at Stanford!**

Todd Adams is the President and CEO of the Pension Fund of the Christian Church. He also happens to be the father of two Division I athletes, including CSC alum Claire Adams. Todd and Chris sit down on this week’s episode to dig into Todd’s best advice for swim parents, how he helped transform the leadership and governance of Carmel Swim Club, and how dealing with adversity through sport can better prepare kids for life.

Jack Roach talks with Chris Plumb on today’s episode of Off the Deck. Currently the Director of Coach and Athlete Development for TIDE Swimming in Virginia, Jack brings more than 35 years of coaching experience to his interactions with coaches and swimmers. Jack’s impact across swimming is immeasurable. He and Chris dig into the relationships and trust built between coaches and athletes, Jack’s career path from the US Marine Corps to the pool deck, how he nurtured the Team USA culture in his time as USA Swimming’s National Junior Team Director, how coaches can help athletes navigate struggle, and understanding purpose in life.

We share interviews with CSC alumni on our Carmel Swim Academy channels to celebrate the unique experiences and foundation swimming can provide your life. Now, we're adding these interviews to the Off the Deck podcast stream for more people to get to hear these stories. This week, hear from Katy Schlies.

Today, Chris Plumb ventures farther off the deck than ever before… all the way to the basketball court! He speaks with Chris Denari, the Indiana Pacers’ television play-by-play announcer. Chris shares his experiences playing basketball with Wabash, how he got started in broadcasting, the way he strives to hone his craft, the global direction of basketball, and more.

We share interviews with CSC alumni on our Carmel Swim Academy channels to celebrate the unique experiences and foundation swimming can provide your life. Now, we're adding these interviews to the Off the Deck podcast stream for more people to get to hear these stories. This week, hear from Mark Cooney.

The through line of this week's episode? Stay true to yourself! CSC alum and University of Texas rising Junior Kelly Pash sits down to talk with Chris Plumb. Kelly reflects on her performances at last month's Olympic Trials, her preparation for high-pressure situations, early memories of being around the water, and the unwavering support from her family. She also discusses her experiences with the college recruiting process finding balance, prioritizing her own mental health, and the foundation Carmel helped her establish.

We share interviews with CSC alumni on our Carmel Swim Academy channels to celebrate the unique experiences and foundation swimming can provide your life. Now, we're adding these interviews to the Off the Deck podcast stream for more people to get to hear these stories. This week, hear from Trish Regan.

Enjoy the second half of Chris Plumb’s conversation with GAIN Swimming Head Coach, Chris Webb. Chris and Chris discuss the importance of swimming lessons, what is critical for young athletes to learn, how land movements can translate to the pool in an integrated program, leadership styles, and the four s’s. Plus, Chris Webb goes back further in time than any prior guest to suggest his choice social kicking partner.

For nearly a year, we've been sharing interviews with CSC alumni on our Carmel Swim Academy channels to celebrate the unique experiences and foundation swimming can provide your life. Now, we're adding these interviews to the Off the Deck podcast stream for more people to get to hear these stories. This week, hear from Harrison Wagner.

It’s our first two-parter! Chris Webb, Head Coach at GAIN Swimming, sits down for a great discussion with Chris Plumb. We’re sharing part one this week, and the second half of the conversation will be in your feed next Tuesday. Coming off a tremendous showing for GAIN athletes at the US Olympic Trials, Chris Webb shares the origins and evolution of the GAIN Swimming program and how he has developed his own strengths as a creative leader in the sport.

For nearly a year, we've been sharing interviews with CSC alumni on our Carmel Swim Academy channels to celebrate the unique experiences and foundation swimming can provide your life. Now, we're adding these interviews to the Off the Deck podcast stream for more people to get to hear these stories. This week, hear from Alexis (Bullard) Kruzel.

For nearly a year, we've been sharing interviews with CSC alumni on our Carmel Swim Academy channels to celebrate the unique experiences and foundation swimming can provide your life. Now, we're adding these interviews to the Off the Deck podcast stream for more people to get to hear these stories. This week, hear from Derek Stauder.

The "Godfather of Athletic Development" chats with Chris Plumb on this week's Off the Deck podcast. Vern is the founder of GAIN Systems and the GAIN Network. He has coached track, swimming, soccer, baseball and been involved in countless athletic disciplines (cricket, anyone?). Carmel Swim Club was the first swimming program Vern worked with on a comprehensive, 8-18 year-old, long-term athletic development model for dryland. Chris and Vern discuss the successes of the GAIN Swimming athletes at Olympic Trials, the commonalities of great coaches across different sports, how young kids need to learn to move, and the far-reaching impact coaches have on their athletes.

For nearly a year, we've been sharing interviews with CSC alumni on our Carmel Swim Academy channels to celebrate the unique experiences and foundation swimming can provide your life. Now, we're adding these interviews to the Off the Deck podcast stream for more people to get to hear these stories. This week, hear from Colleen (Drew) Bzowski.

The theme of this week's Off the Deck conversation? Transformation. Chris Plumb interviews TJ Day, the Head Coach and CEO of STAR Swimming. They discuss how TJ consistently brings his passion and energy to the pool deck, how he turned around a team in West Lafayette, the role he played in transforming the CSC boys team, and TJ's renewed commitment to his own fitness during this last year... with a few laughs along the way. Enjoy this week's episode!

For nearly a year, we've been sharing interviews with CSC alumni on our Carmel Swim Academy channels to celebrate the unique experiences and foundation swimming can provide your life. Now, we're adding these interviews to the Off the Deck podcast stream for more people to get to hear these stories. This week, hear from Sam Thomas.

Emma Nordin, one of the top seeds going into Wave II of US Olympic Trials in the 400, 800, and 1500-meter freestyles, is this week’s guest on Off the Deck. Emma swam with Carmel High School and Carmel Swim Club for four years before moving onto Arizona State University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Biology this spring. Emma and Chris talk about how she embraces hard work and a growth mindset, what she likes to do in her time away from the pool, how she manages the stress of the pool and classroom, and her approach to stepping on the blocks next to some of the biggest names in swimming.

Carmel Swim Club alum Amy Bilquist is this week’s guest on Off the Deck! After a decorated high school career as part of Carmel Swim Club and Carmel High School, Amy went on to swim for the University of California, Berkley, and professionally. Amy and Chris discuss the importance of water safety and how Amy fell in love with the pool growing up in Arizona. Amy reflects on her experiences as a two-sport athlete addresses the physical and mental ramifications of injuries, her transition from collegiate to professional swimming, and how she is giving back to the next generation of female athletes.

Kate Lundsten, the Head Coach of Aquajets Swim Team, sits down with Chris Plumb on this week’s episode of “Off the Deck.” Kate has been a USA Swimming Coach for 20 years, and has served as a coach on multiple USA National and Junior National Team staffs. Growing up in Minnesota, Kate started swimming because she was surrounded by lakes and had fiver brothers and sisters. Her journey in the sport has led her to the pinnacle of coaching, having trained an Olympic Gold medalist, but as she discusses with Chris today, she still experiences a bit of impostor syndrome. Chris and Kate dig into her coaching style, battling insecurity, her ultimate goal for each athlete she coaches, and advice for athletes attending Olympic Trials in the coming weeks.

Indiana Swimming’s Executive Director (and past Carmel Swim Club/Carmel High School Head Coach) is this week’s guest on Off the Deck. Chris and Tony dig into what makes Indiana a special swimming state, how the organization has navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, what makes a great coach, the unique relationship between high school and club swimming in Indiana, and the LSC’s vision for the next three years.

PS: The Board Meeting Tony talks about at the end of the episode took place on Monday, May 17 - keep your eyes on the news section to stay up to date on the potential meets and opportunities for athletes Tony mentions: https://www.teamunify.com/team/czinlsc/page/home.

On today's episode of Off the Deck, Chris catches up with Charles Vaughan. Charles graduated from Carmel High School in 2017 and is set to graduate from Harvard later this month. As he prepares to enter law school this fall, Charles and Chris reflect on how his experiences with Carmel Swim Club prepared him for the real world, his early memories of being around the water, how he transitioned from being results-driven to process-oriented, and the role his parents played in his swimming career. Interested in learning more about Charles? Check out this fantastic interview from Harvard's "Around the Yard": https://gocrimson.com/news/2021/4/21/around-the-yard-charles-vaughan.aspx

Drew Kibler graduated from Carmel High School and Carmel Swim Club in 2018. Now finishing his Junior year at the University of Texas, he's sitting down with Chris Plumb on Off the Deck. Chris and Drew discuss the fantastic performances by Drew and his teammates at this year's NCAA Championships, what the practice environment is like at Texas, and his sentiments about Eddie Reese's retirement. Drew reflects on his experience at the 2016 Olympic Trials and his mindset for Omaha this summer. He and Chris talk about how he helped shape the culture at CSC, his early affinity for the water, and his creative passions.

For nearly a year, we've been sharing interviews with CSC alumni on our Carmel Swim Academy channels to celebrate the unique experiences and foundation swimming can provide your life. Now, we're adding these interviews to the Off the Deck podcast stream for more people to get to hear these stories. This week, hear from Tylor Gauger.

For nearly a year, we've been sharing interviews with CSC alumni on our Carmel Swim Academy channels to celebrate the unique experiences and foundation swimming can provide your life. Now, we're adding these interviews to the Off the Deck podcast stream for more people to get to hear these stories. This week, hear from Alex Clarke.

On this episode of Off the Deck, Chris Plumb interviews Veronica Burchill. Veronica graduated from Carmel High School in 2016. She was part of the International Swim League's Cali Condors and was sponsored by A3 Performance. Veronica shares her perspective on swimming, reflects on her time in the ISL bubble last fall and her transition to professional swimming from collegiate and high school teams, and talks about the special family dynamics that have been part of her swimming career.

For nearly a year, we've been sharing interviews with CSC alumni on our Carmel Swim Academy channels to celebrate the unique experiences and foundation swimming can provide your life. Now, we're adding these interviews to the Off the Deck podcast stream for more people to get to hear these stories. This week, hear from Zechariah Banks.

For nearly a year, we've been sharing interviews with CSC alumni on our Carmel Swim Academy channels to celebrate the unique experiences and foundation swimming can provide your life. Now, we're adding these interviews to the Off the Deck podcast stream for more people to get to hear these stories. This week, hear from Devon Mason.

For nearly a year, we've been sharing interviews with CSC alumni on our Carmel Swim Academy channels to celebrate the unique experiences and foundation swimming can provide your life. Now, we're adding these interviews to the Off the Deck podcast stream for more people to get to hear these stories. First up in this new format? Alicia and Vic Schleich.

On the premier episode of Off the Deck, Chris Plumb interviews Dynamo Swim Club Head Coach Ian Murray. Ian served as the Associate Head Coach of Carmel Swim Club prior to heading to Dynamo in August 2017. Ian shares his experiences growing up as a swimmer and coach in Cleveland, Ohio and the trajectory and lessons of his coaching career so far, and what he is looking forward to with his athletes.

On this special preview episode, Chris Plumb is introduced and interviewed by Maggie Mestrich, the Director of Business Development for Carmel Swim Club. Chris shares how he got started as a swimmer, his journey to coaching, and what he's excited about as Carmel Swim Club continues to evolve. Chris talks about why he wanted to start Off the Deck and what listeners can expect to hear going forward.