Olympian Cullen Jones Gets Raw on Highs & Lows: GMM presented by SwimOutlet.com

Gold Medal Minute presented by SwimOutlet.comFour-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!

Cullen Jones

  • 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.

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Guerra
3 years ago

These are great, Mel! They should have asked you to replace Bob Costas at the Olympics. How about Randy Reese? Unfiltered of course!

ibelieve
3 years ago

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!

ALEXANDER POP-OFF
3 years ago

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,

Daniel Smith
3 years ago

Mel: Wonderful interview and insightful. Plese keep these coming!

Mr Piano
3 years ago

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?

Carrie Platusich
Reply to  Gold Medal Mel Stewart
3 years ago

Benko! aka Lindsay Mintenko

Skoorbnagol
Reply to  Gold Medal Mel Stewart
3 years ago

Erik vendt
And grill him about training sets with Phelps & 07/08 Michigan crew.

swimswamswum
Reply to  Skoorbnagol
3 years ago

Ian Crocker or Eric Shanteau!

Woke Stasi
Reply to  Gold Medal Mel Stewart
3 years ago

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.

Mr Piano
Reply to  Gold Medal Mel Stewart
3 years ago

Pablo Morales. I think you know why.

Aquajosh
Reply to  Gold Medal Mel Stewart
3 years ago

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

Aquajosh
Reply to  Gold Medal Mel Stewart
3 years ago

You might want to talk to him about that article then.

Xman
Reply to  Gold Medal Mel Stewart
3 years ago

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.

10U DAD
Reply to  Gold Medal Mel Stewart
3 years ago

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.

Britt
Reply to  Gold Medal Mel Stewart
3 years ago

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.

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, …

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