Swimming Phenom Thomas Heilman Breaks 13 NAG Records in 11 Days – Podcast

In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman HodgesGarrett McCaffrey, and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.

Thomas Heilman,  the 14 year old swimming phenom out of Virginia’s Cavalier Aquatics, broke 13 national age group records in 11 days. Under head coach Gary Taylor, Thomas accomplished this feat competing at three different meets in 11 days, USA Swimming’s U.S. Open, YOTA Arena Capital Classic, and Speedo’s Junior Nationals.

In this podcast Thomas unpacks a few of his record swims, his training, and his life throughout the pandemic leading up to this history-making accomplishment.

See all of the SwimSwam reports on his NAG records here.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

RECENT EPISODES

Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam advertising partners.

In This Story

10
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

10 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
HOO love
2 years ago

crazy how fast he is! hope he will go to UVA!

Bing Bong
2 years ago

Is that Andrew Beggers from Columbus Aquatic Club in the photo? Does he coach him as well?

Swimmer
2 years ago

Zach Apple’s son

Distance Per Stroke
2 years ago

No doubles, no weights. That’s the way to go.

t-bone
Reply to  Distance Per Stroke
2 years ago

wow… amazing to think about how much better he could get.

When do kids typically start lifting now?

Fluidg
Reply to  Gold Medal Mel Stewart
2 years ago

Dryland training using body weight is still strength training and can be far more effective than lifting weights. Weights can be effectively incorporated into an overall strength and conditioning program, but to think of weight lifting as a stand alone, superior discipline is obsolete.

Salty Sailing Swimmer
Reply to  t-bone
2 years ago

Most swimmers in my experience start lifting in high school (14y/o-15y/o). Many high school programs have lifting regimes to introduce swimmers to weights. However, typically college is when swimmers make the weight room a regular piece of training.

anonymous
Reply to  t-bone
2 years ago

They need to base when to start weight lifting on their body growth and maturity not a particular age.

About Gold Medal Mel Stewart

Gold Medal Mel Stewart

MEL STEWART Jr., aka Gold Medal Mel, won three Olympic medals at the 1992 Olympic Games. Mel's best event was the 200 butterfly. He is a former World, American, and NCAA Record holder in the 200 butterfly. As a writer/producer and sports columnist, Mel has contributed to Yahoo Sports, Universal Sports, …

Read More »