S3E3 - NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK

S3E3 - NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK

Author: Glenn Mills & Wayne Goldsmith September 4, 2026 Duration: 1:04:19

Overview

The meeting established a stage-based framework for measuring swimmers, emphasizing technique before maturation and integrated performance testing after maturation.

  • Glenn and Wayne endorsed measuring the athlete’s developmental stage rather than chronological age.
  • Pre-maturation focuses on building movement foundations with consistent body position, symmetry, breathing, balance, stroke mechanics, and comfort in the water.
  • Post-maturation focuses on refining individual performance because growth and maturation create greater differences between athletes.
  • Skipping foundational stages in pursuit of early speed can create technical problems later.
  • Development Framework

Glenn Mills and Wayne Goldsmith have spent their lives in and around the pool, and in their The Third 50 podcast, they dive into the conversations that happen after the stopwatch is put away. Named for the most grueling leg of a 200-meter race, this series explores what it truly takes to push through when everything hurts and the finish line still feels far away. Each episode feels like a candid chat between two seasoned experts, moving fluidly between the granular details of stroke technique and the broader, essential themes of athlete wellness and mental resilience. You’ll hear them unpack coaching philosophies, analyze the psychological demands of competition, and share stories that reveal the human side of high-performance swimming. It’s more than just tips for faster times; it’s about building the toughness required for that critical third fifty in a race and, by extension, in sport and life. Tune in for a thoughtful, grounded perspective that only decades of direct experience can provide, making this podcast a unique resource for swimmers, coaches, and anyone fascinated by the intersection of physical mastery and mental fortitude.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 24

The Third 50
Podcast Episodes
The Third 50 - S1 E3 - Developing the Technical Eye [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:45
Welcome to The Third 50! This is the third episode in season one and it's an incredibly important topic - Developing the Technical Eye! Every coach needs to develop their "Technical Eye" - their ability to look at a swim…
The Third 50 - Ep 2 Season 1: Underwater Dolphins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:01
Welcome to The Third 50! In this Second Episode, Wayne and Glenn discuss the importance of underwater kicking! Under-water kicking - "Dolphins" are vital - they are essential for fast swimming. The question is - how can…