The Diving Pod

Episode #257 Tim O'Brien (Miami & Olympic Coach)

This episode dives into a thoughtful, experience-driven conversation with Tim O’Brien, former University of Miami standout and 2000 Olympic coach, as he breaks down the evolution of USA Diving—from a system that consistently produced world-class results to the more fragmented model we see today.

Episode #256 NCAA Men's & DIII Review

In this episode, we recap both the Division III NCAA Championships and the Men’s Division I Championships, breaking down the key moments from each meet. We hit on standout performances, team impact, and how athletes handled pressure in two very different competitive environments. From the consistency and execution seen at DIII to the difficulty and intensity of Men’s DI, we give a clear look at what separated the top performers at both championships.

Episode #255 NCAA DII & Women's DI Review

In this episode, we recap the DII NCAA Championships and women’s DI results, focusing on the biggest takeaways from both meets.

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.

Episode #254 Derek Colbert (Mizzou)

In this episode of The Diving Pod, we sit down with Mizzou diver Derek Colbert to talk about his journey through the sport and what it takes to compete at the Division I level. Derek shares how he first got involved in diving, the coaches and mentors who helped shape his development, and the challenges that come with balancing the demands of high-level athletics and college life.

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.

Episode #253 Skip Donald (Auburn & Florida)

In this episode, we sit down with former collegiate diver Skip Donald, who opens up about the winding path of his college career and the lessons that came with it.

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.

Episode #252 Sofia Knight (UNC & Australia)

In this episode, we sit down with Sofia Knight, standout diver for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who shares her incredible journey from Australia to competing in the ACC.

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.

Episode #251 Ray Preas (Lousiville)

In this episode, we sit down with Ray Preas, standout diver for University of Louisville, to unpack the progression of an athlete who has steadily built himself into a consistent NCAA contributor.

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

Episode #250 Avery Lommel (Augustana)

In this powerful episode, Augustana University All-American diver Avery Lommel shares a journey defined by resilience, courage, and an unwavering love for the sport. Avery opens up about how she first found diving, the joy and identity it quickly gave her, and the unimaginable challenge that followed when she lost vision in one eye.

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.

Episode #249 Tobie Stiles (Northern Michigan)

This episode features Tobie Stiles, senior diver at Northern Michigan, as he walks through the full arc of his diving journey—from the early days of learning to compete to becoming a leader at the collegiate level.

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.

Episode #248 Ryan Campbell (Colorado Mesa)

In this episode of The Diving Pod, we sit down with Ryan Campbell, senior diver at Colorado Mesa, to talk about a path a lot of athletes can relate to—but don’t always hear enough about. Ryan walks through his time at junior college, the lessons he learned there, and how that experience shaped him both as a student and a diver before making the jump to a four-year program.

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.