Ever wondered what goes on in the mind of an 8-time Olympic medalist? Regan Smith, the swimming phenom, is here to spill the beans. Fresh off her dominant performance at the 2026 Austin Pro Swim Series—where she swept four events with jaw-dropping times—Regan sat down with us for a no-holds-barred conversation. But here's where it gets controversial: does prize money really matter to an athlete at her level? And should she stick to backstroke or keep diversifying her races? These are just a few of the thought-provoking questions we tackle in this episode of the GMM podcast.
Regan isn’t your typical elite athlete. She’s refreshingly candid, steering clear of clichés and offering insights that are as rare as her achievements. From her training regimen to her thoughts on USA Swimming’s Short Course World Championships Trials, we dive deep into what makes her tick. And this is the part most people miss: we even explore her take on the USOPC’s decision to block foreign athletes from the U.S. Olympic Training Center in 2028. Is she already eyeing Brisbane 2032? You’ll have to listen to find out.
But here’s the kicker: What if the key to her success isn’t just her talent, but her willingness to challenge the status quo? We discuss everything from APA increases to the future of swimming, leaving no stone unturned. Even though I was under the weather during the recording (yes, I sound like a frog), this interview was too good to pass up. Coleman Hodges stepped in to save the day, and by the 4:30 mark, we’re fully immersed in the chlorinated world of elite swimming.
The podcast clocks in at about an hour and 15 minutes, packed with insights, laughs, and a few surprises. Whether you’re a swimming enthusiast or just curious about what drives an Olympic champion, this episode is for you. Got burning questions for Regan? Drop them in the comments—we might just bring them to her in a future episode.
Follow Regan Smith on Instagram here and Gold Medal Mel here. Special thanks to Swimoutlet.com for their 14-year partnership and unwavering support of swimming news and media. This episode is a Gold Medal Media production, presented by SwimOutlet.com, and hosted by Gold Medal Mel Stewart, a 3-time Olympic medalist and co-founder of SwimSwam.com.
Disclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own and don’t necessarily reflect those of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC, or our advertising partners. Now, here’s the real question: Do you agree with Regan’s take on the future of swimming? Let us know in the comments—we’re all ears!
