Four-time Olympic medalist, two-time Olympic champion Cullen Jones gets raw and real in this GMM takeover of the SwimSwam Podcast.
Cullen has enjoyed many highs and some tough lows. In this interview Cullen shares how Coach Bob Bowman, David Marsh and his own mother called him out in brutally honest ways during one of his lows, when, frankly, his grit for training didn’t match his talent. Bowman delivered his message – his wisdom – as they watched the final Cullen missed from the stands.
I asked Cullen, a Speedo Athlete, to come on the podcast to talk about his new position with Speedo and their philanthropic mission–which is a perfect team slot for him and very forward-thinking of Speedo. Cullen does share a little about it, but the depth of that news won’t drop until Feb-March of next year. In the mean time, we review Cullen’s career and the pivotal moments that now define him as an adult. Cullen’s got four Olympic medals, but he’s also lived through a lot of 3rd place finishes at U.S. Olympic Trials. On the run up to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, he made a snap decision that was very dramatic. Cullen details all of it here in 45 minutes. I hope you enjoy!
- 2x Olympian 08′ 12′
- 4x medalist (2G-2S)
- World Record Holder
- (Former) American Record Holder
- Motivational Speaker
- NC State Hall of Famer
Follow Cullen Jones on Instagram here.
Follow Gold Medal Mel Stewart on Instagram here.
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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.
These are great, Mel! They should have asked you to replace Bob Costas at the Olympics. How about Randy Reese? Unfiltered of course!
Great interview, Cullen is one of my favorites! Just out of curiosity, how come you didn’t ask about anything post-2012, like his Trials in 2016 and Nationals in 2017 (where he got 3rd place in the 50 both times)? Would have loved to hear his insight!
He’s coming back on again in two months, and before US OTs. We will cover…
I have to say that Cullen is deeply underrated both as a swimmer and a leader. He doesn’t get enough credit for what he has accomplished both in the pool and out. He has done A LOT for the sport. Thank you, Cullen,
agreed….
Mel: Wonderful interview and insightful. Plese keep these coming!
I just want to say, thank you Mel for doing these podcasts, these are a swimnerd’s dream. I’m wondering, what are other swimmers are you interested to get on the podcast that you haven’t gotten already? And do you think you will get any non-American swimmers on eventually?
I’ll strive to get everyone I can… And I love suggestions… Who do you want on and what questions do you want me to ask?
Benko! aka Lindsay Mintenko
Smart! Yes, requesting Lindsay today!
Erik vendt
And grill him about training sets with Phelps & 07/08 Michigan crew.
Ian Crocker or Eric Shanteau!
Brett Hawke.
Don Schollander.
Donna DeVerona.
Tracy Caulkins.
Pār Arvidsson.
Angel Martino.
Chris von Saltza.
Steve Clark.
Ian Thorpe.
Steve Nolan.
Shane Tussup.
“Live-Stream” Andy.
hahahahha….great list. I have a lot of these on request already!
Pablo Morales. I think you know why.
Oh buddy….I have Pablo down.
Tracy Caulkins
Mary T
Inge de Bruijn
Sippy Woodhead
Stephanie Rice
Pablo Morales
Erik Vendt
Rick Carey
Florent Manaudou
Markus Rogan (if you can find him)
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-based-olympic-medalist-said-to-flee-israel-after-catching-covid-breaking-law
I talk to Markus every so often. He’s a clinical therapist, and apparently a great one.
You might want to talk to him about that article then.
Skip Kenney – how a non-swimmer becomes an elite coach.
Randall Bal – probabaly one the greatest non-olympian American swimmers of the 2000 to 2008 era.
Maybe some long term nationally recongized coaches who focus only on Age Group development and have a consistent track record of those kids going on to be high level swimmers.
Xman…smart, thank you!
I want to 2nd the request for some age group coaches. Also would be interested in hearing from Gary Hall Jr about his development as an age grouper when his dad was already an established great in the sport.
Lauren Perdue
Maddy Crippen
David Fox
Steve Rerych
David Walters
Margaret Hoelzer
And in a somewhat out of left field suggestion, Doug Hurley – the astronaut who brought a swim cap into space this year! He’s a swim dad, and I think it would be an out of this world interview. I don’t expect that one to ever happen (especially since he’s a swim dad, not a swimmer himself as far as I know), but figured it couldn’t hurt to suggest it.