Today on the GMM Podcast we sit down with Kaylee McKeown, the undisputed queen of backstroke. In Singapore, Kaylee swept the 100 and 200 back, blasting a personal best 57.16 in the 100 and nearly matching her world-record pace in the 200.
What makes this story interesting is what came before it. Post-Paris, Kaylee struggled in training, so much so that she made the bold decision to return to her home club and reboot. That reset worked. By the time Worlds rolled around, she was back in control.
But it wasn’t all smooth water. While Kaylee avoided the stomach virus that cut through the meet, she did face a shoulder dislocation scare and, in her own words, a bout of “constipation at Worlds” — her funny, unfiltered way of pointing out the irony compared to her competitors’ health woes.
In this episode, Kaylee breaks down:
- The reset that carried her from post Olympic training struggles to World Championship dominance.
- What it’s like facing Regan Smith again and again on the world stage.
- That she is confirmed for the World Aquatics World Cup this fall.
- Context behind the Australia Swimmers Association, an independent org supporting Aussie elites swimmers.
- And a candid look ahead as she weighs where to focus her energy next summer, Commonwealth Games vs Pan Pacs.
This podcast was a late night capture managing the timezone differences, but Kaylee was, as always, chill and disarmingly authentic. If I missed a topic or question, share in the comments and we will follow up with Kaylee.
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This is a Gold Medal Media production presented by SwimOutlet.com. Host Gold Medal Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and the co-founder of SwimSwam.com, a Swimming News website.
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.
2nd best to Queen Regan
Honestly why do you bother making comments like this?
a bout of “constipation at Worlds” — her funny, unfiltered way of pointing out the irony compared to her competitors’ health woes.
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the universe is in balance
It’s always great to hear from Kaylee. Interesting to hear the difference between Bohly’s training and what Michael Sage has her doing at USC. Glad to hear she’s happy back on her ‘home turf’ on the Sunshine Coast.
I haven’t listened yet but I want to know what events she’s swimming at World Cup. Presumably the 50/100/200 but interested to see what (if anything) else.
Her LCM 400IM is faster than the SCM Australian record. Would love to see her just fix that for us even though she hates the 4IM haha.
Also I’m still wondering what that comment from Curzan about “can’t wait til September” was. The speculation on here was that she was going to train at UVA briefly before World Cups but haven’t seen anything yet…
IM? She’s strongly considering 200 IM for the Commonwealth Games. She’s been 2:06. I’d like to see her rip it at a big international meet.
Yeah the 100/200IM seem like the only events that would fit her schedule at World Cup.
I’m still hoping she throws down a 200 free because I think she has what it takes to be on the relay (but she doesn’t seem to have swum it in quite a while)
Yes, I’d like to see a 200 free as well!!!
This one was great; Kaylee continues to be articulate and open!! Some unsolicited thoughts:
1) there’s a translucent cover on SoFi for LA hahaha
2) her commentary on learning from her sports psychologist that “pressure is a privilege”… wow. It’s really interesting to think how hurtful it is for athletes who aren’t considered to be medal contenders vs how hard it is when everyone thinks you’ll sweep every time. Her mentality is clearly hard fought and I’m glad she seems to be doing well.
3) the ASA is really neat… former swimmers are exactly who should be working with the org to negotiate conditions for current swimmers. As she said, current swimmers should not have to think… Read more »
…was waiting for SoFi, Haha!
ASA, yeah, we need it here in the U.S. to support the USAs National Team. I do not think they will receive the right support and protection unless there is an independent org pushing for it year over year.
The look on your face when y’all were talking about this said “the APA stipend has been flat for 15 years while USAS C-suite’s salaries have increased every year” 😉
I know….
Re point 2. An Aussie chick got 1 at the high jump this year but came last on her debut. And she said well it doesn’t change who I am if i came last so it doesn’t change if i came first. Prettyzen shit. But when I came last, I remember standing out there and I had so much peace because I knew that my performance didn’t determine my identity and my value. “So then coming in as number one, the pressure was off because I knew if you can’t lose anything when you come last and you can’t gain anything if you come first.”
Pscyhogy is all relative.
That’s Nicola Olyslagers. She’s great. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an athlete smile as much as she does. She just seems constantly joyful!
I wish swimming commentators like NBC Sports’ RG watch official feed of IAAF Tokyo World Championship so they know how to do sports commentary.
I think Liesel Jones had a similar breakthrough of “if you’re nothing without an Olympic medal, then you’re nothing with it,” ahead of winning her first individual gold.
Although she won silver at 15 and some relay gold in 2000 and then 2004.
She botched 2004