Mike reflects on how he first got involved in diving, the challenges he faced throughout his career, and the moments that shaped him both as an athlete and as a person. He talks about what drew him to Clarion, the culture within the program, and the lessons he's learned from competing at the collegiate level.

Dash shares how he got his start in diving, the people who have influenced his career, and the path that led him to Indiana Hoosiers. He reflects on the transition to college diving, balancing academics with the demands of training, and what it's like competing alongside some of the best divers in the country.

Before he was producing NCAA champions and Olympians, Jay was soaring through the air as a professional aerial acrobatic skier, performing the kinds of flips and twists that looked straight out of a James Bond movie. That unique background eventually led him to the diving world, where he discovered a passion for coaching that would shape generations of athletes.

Jay shares stories from his remarkable coaching career, including leading the United States as Head Olympic Diving Coach at the 2000 Olympic Games, building powerhouse club programs, and transforming the diving program at Texas A&M Athletics into a national contender. Along the way, he developed NCAA champions, Olympians, conference champions, and countless All-Americans while earning multiple National and Conference Coach of the Year honors.

We dive into the lessons he's learned from decades on deck, the athletes who shaped his career, and the passion that kept him pushing the sport forward. Whether you're a diver, coach, or simply love hearing incredible life stories, this episode offers a rare look into the mind of a coach whose impact on diving stretches across generations.

Join us as we hear the unforgettable story of Jay Lerew—a coach, innovator, Olympian mentor, aerial skier, and quite possibly the most interesting man in diving.

We recap how Team USA stacked up against powerhouse nations like China, highlighting a meet where the Americans showed progress but were just outside the medal stand in key events. The U.S. came away with a couple of strong fourth-place finishes, showing they’re right on the edge of breaking through on the world stage . With a young roster that included names like Carson Tyler, Jack Ryan, and ElliReese Niday, this meet was more about gaining experience and building momentum than immediate podium results .

We also talk through the biggest storylines from the meet—China continuing to dominate at home, the consistency required to compete at this level, and how tight the margins are between making finals, podiums, and medals.

We dive into what fueled his success in his first NCAA season, how his international background shaped his approach to the sport, and what it meant to win a national title so early in his career. Emilio also reflects on being the final NCAA champion under legendary coach Jay Lerew, giving insight into Lerew’s impact on his development and the legacy he leaves behind.

This episode highlights resilience, transition, and what it takes to become a champion on one of the biggest stages in collegiate diving.

He dives into his background in the sport—how he first got started, the pivotal moments that shaped his development, and what ultimately guided him to Wayne State. Max reflects on why the program was the right fit for him and how its culture and coaching helped elevate his performance to a national level.

The conversation also unpacks his championship performance, including how he approached the meet mentally, handled pressure, and executed when it mattered most. Along the way, Max shares lessons learned through setbacks, how he’s continued to refine his diving, and what success looks like moving forward.

We start by recapping the top finishers on both the men’s and women’s sides, highlighting the athletes who delivered under pressure and those who may have surprised the field. From consistent execution to clutch final-round dives, we discuss what separated the leaders from the rest.

From there, we get into the biggest takeaways. Which divers are trending upward at the right time? Who showed signs of potential but still has work to do? We also talk through how this meet fits into the bigger picture—what it tells us about the current landscape of U.S. diving

The conversation shifts to how he found his way into the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, describing the transition from 10-meter diving to launching off 27-meter platforms. Colturi talks about the mental challenge of embracing fear, the physical toll of hitting the water at extreme speeds, and the tight-knit community among the world’s best cliff divers.

He also opens up about carving out a career in a niche sport, balancing performance with building a personal brand, and how the growth of social media has elevated cliff diving’s visibility worldwide.

Finally, Colturi discusses his newest venture, the No Limits Tour—an athlete-driven professional series he co-founded. The tour aims to expand opportunities for divers, bring more events to fans, and push the sport forward

At DII, highlighting the NCAA Champions and amazing stories that came from the week!  The standout divers were the ones who stayed composed and delivered in the middle rounds.

On the women’s DI side, the level was extremely high. The top finishers showed control, handled pressure well, and didn’t let one mistake affect the rest of their list. Small details made a big difference in placement.

Overall, both meets showed the same thing—success in March comes from consistency, control, and trusting your training.

He dives into his experience competing in the SEC, what training looks like behind the scenes at Missouri, and how he continues to push himself to develop new dives and refine the details that separate good performances from great ones. Derek also reflects on the lessons the sport has taught him—handling pressure, staying resilient through setbacks, and continuing to chase improvement every day.

Skip began his journey at the Auburn University, one of the premier programs in college diving. He talks about the expectations and intensity of competing in the SEC, what he learned early in his career, and how those experiences shaped him as an athlete. After his time at Auburn, Skip made the difficult decision to transfer to the University of Florida to finish out his career.

During the transition, Skip found himself battling injuries that forced him to confront the reality many athletes eventually face—how to keep pushing forward when the body doesn’t cooperate the way it used to. He shares what those setbacks were like mentally and physically, and how the adversity changed his perspective on the sport and on himself.

Recently, Skip took those experiences and turned them into something powerful, writing a book that dives into the real ups and downs of being a college athlete. In the conversation, he talks about why he felt compelled to tell that story, the moments that shaped the book, and what he hopes current athletes can take away from it.

Growing up in Australia, Sofia talks about how she first found diving, what the training culture was like back home, and how her early experiences shaped her fearless style on the boards. She reflects on the differences between the Australian club system and the NCAA model, and what it took to make the leap—both athletically and culturally—to the United States.

Sofia opens up about adjusting to life at UNC: balancing academics and athletics, embracing the team environment, and competing in one of the toughest conferences in the country. She shares the challenges of being far from family, how she’s built a second home in Chapel Hill, and what representing UNC means to her.

Ray walks through how he first connected with diving, the early technical adjustments that accelerated his development, and the moment he realized college diving could become a serious path. From a coaching lens, what stands out in his story is the patience in his progression

Facing depth perception changes, spatial awareness challenges, and the mental hurdles that come with a life-altering injury, Avery made the decision to stay in the sport she loved. She walks through the rebuilding process — relearning skills, adjusting technique, and trusting herself again on the board — all while navigating the doubts of whether elite diving was still possible.

What followed was nothing short of remarkable. Avery not only returned to competition, she rose to the top — capturing a state championship and ultimately becoming an NCAA All-American at Augustana. Her story is a testament to adaptability, perseverance, and the power of belief from the athlete-coach support system around her.

This conversation dives into identity beyond adversity, redefining limits, and what it truly means to pursue excellence when the path changes. Avery’s journey will resonate with athletes, coaches, and anyone facing obstacles that seem impossible to overcome.

Tobie reflects on the moments that shaped him most as a diver: the grind of daily training, the setbacks that forced him to grow, and the small breakthroughs that added up over time. He talks candidly about what it’s like developing in a program where consistency, accountability, and trust in the process matter more than shortcuts. As a senior, Tobie shares how his perspective has shifted from just chasing scores to understanding preparation, discipline, and the responsibility of setting the tone for younger teammates.

Ryan opens up about the transfer process, what he was looking for in a school, and how important it was for him to find a degree he could genuinely be passionate about—not just something that fit around diving. He shares how getting clarity academically helped him buy in even more fully to his training and growth in the sport.

From a diving standpoint, Ryan talks about continuing to push himself later in his career, taking on harder dives, and embracing the challenge of raising his degree of difficulty. He breaks down the mindset required to keep improving as a senior, the patience needed when progress isn’t linear, and what it takes to stay hungry in the pool.

This episode is a great listen for junior college divers, transfers, and anyone trying to balance long-term athletic development with finding the right academic fit—proof that there’s more than one way to build a successful college diving career.

He also dives deep into his mindset as an athlete: a constant desire to improve, to learn, and to be coached. That perspective becomes even more powerful in light of the severe injury he recently suffered off 10-meter. Jan shares how that moment has reshaped his outlook, tested his patience, and reinforced his love for the sport and the process.

This episode is a must-listen for young divers navigating adversity, recruits thinking about fit and culture, and anyone who values growth through the hard moments. Jan’s story is a reminder that progress isn’t always linear—but the best athletes keep showing up, even when it’s tough.

Olivia shares how the culture at UWF pushed her to take ownership of her development, build confidence, and lead alongside a tight-knit group of women who support each other daily. We also dive into her decision to graduate early.

This episode is a great listen for athletes who want to understand what it looks like to fully commit, grow within a strong team culture, and set themselves up for success after college.

She also shares just how much NMU means to her, from the team culture to the daily environment that’s helped her thrive both as a diver and as a person. The conversation finishes with Kalina laying out her future goals, including her drive to compete at the highest level and her long-term vision of winning an NCAA title. A great listen for athletes who believe in trusting the process, buying into development, and committing fully to the work.

Everyone should also head over to The Diving Pod YouTube channel to watch the Max Flory mentor demo, where Max breaks down key concepts that can help divers improve their performance and preparation.

Manny joins the pod to talk about launching and running a Minnesota-based program with one clear mission: developing divers the right way and preparing them for the biggest stages in the sport. We dive into his philosophy on long-term athlete development, what he learned coaching at an elite collegiate program, and how he’s using those experiences to shape the next generation.

This episode is packed with insight for young divers, parents, and coaches who care about growth, consistency, and doing things with purpose.

He reflects on his transition to the University of Miami, what it’s been like training and competing as a Hurricane, and how the program has helped elevate his performance to new levels. Mohamed also dives into the unique challenges and opportunities he faced coming from a country with a developing diving scene, and how those early experiences shaped his mindset and work ethic.

Looking ahead, Mohamed opens up about his ambitions for the 2028 Olympic Games, giving listeners a glimpse into the training, focus, and personal drive fueling his next chapter.

This episode offers a powerful blend of international perspective, resilience, and high-performance insight—don’t miss it.

Andrew also opens up about his experience at the U.S. Olympic Trials, reflecting on the mental and physical preparation, the atmosphere on deck, and what he took away from competing on one of the biggest stages in the sport.

Packed with perspective, honesty, and behind-the-scenes stories, this episode gives listeners a closer look at one of Minnesota’s senior leaders and the path that brought him to the top of collegiate diving.

Max dives into how his experiences—both the highs and the challenges—shaped the program’s design. His goal is to help today’s divers develop in every area: technical refinement, training habits, mental preparation, navigating the pressures of high-performance sport, and even life management outside the pool. By offering individualized guidance, Max hopes to elevate athletes in ways he wishes were available earlier in his own journey.

Interested divers, parents, and coaches can reach out directly at mentor@maxflory.com.

And for Diving Pod listeners, Max is offering an exclusive 15% discount on new sign-ups. Use code DIVINGPOD15 when you join!

We dive into how he built a top program right where it all began — the lessons learned along the way, the evolution of Louisville Diving, and what it means to reach the sport’s highest level.

Juliette shares what it’s been like stepping into the sport so recently and adapting to the elite level so quickly. She talks about her unique athletic background, growing up with high-level gymnastics coaches as parents, and how that foundation has shaped her approach to training, competition, and mindset.

From discovering diving to performing on the world stage, Juliette’s story is a fascinating look at rapid growth, resilience, and what it takes to excel in a new sport.

Tune in to hear Juliette’s journey, her experience at Auburn University, and her perspective on chasing big goals in a short amount of time.

Aaron dives into how the rankings were developed, the goals behind the project, and what it means for athletes, coaches, and fans moving forward. We discuss the impact this system could have on the visibility and growth of diving, and what the future might look like now that performance across the country can be compared on an even playing field.

Tune in for a fascinating conversation that could redefine how the diving world evaluates excellence.

They also unpack the first-ever PDCA Individual Diving Rankings, discussing how they were created, what they reveal about the current state of collegiate diving, and what impact they could have moving forward.

Kayleigh opens up about the physical and mental challenges of competing at the highest level while rehabbing injuries, the lessons she’s learned about patience and persistence, and the support system that helped carry her through the toughest moments. Her story is one of redemption and triumph—showing how the love for the sport and the determination to finish strong can overcome even the steepest obstacles.

This episode is a must-listen for athletes, coaches, and anyone who believes in the power of staying the course when the odds are stacked against you.

In this episode, we sit down with Espen Bergslien, Head Coach of the Norwegian National Diving Team. Espen shares his journey from athlete to national coach, the evolution of diving in Norway, and the challenges and opportunities of developing elite athletes in a smaller diving nation. He offers insight into Norway’s training philosophy. From grassroots development to preparing athletes for the world stage, Espen’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence.

Much like the NFL Combine, this event will feature a series of structured drills and skills assessments, allowing divers to showcase their athleticism, technique, and potential in front of college coaches from across the country. Tracy shares the inspiration behind the idea, the format of the event, and why it’s poised to become a game-changer in collegiate diving recruitment.

Whether you’re a coach looking for new scouting opportunities, an athlete eager to get noticed, or a fan of innovation in the sport, this episode offers a sneak peek into what could be the future of diving development.

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with a leader who’s pushing boundaries and creating opportunities for the next generation of divers.

We talk about his personal journey and hand spotting! take a listen and let us know what you think.