The Diving Pod

Episode #263 Super Cup Review

In this episode, we break down the action from the World Aquatics Diving World Cup 2026 Super Final, held May 1–3 in Beijing, where the world’s top divers went head-to-head across nine events in one of the most competitive meets of the year .

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.

Episode #262 Emilio Trevino (Texas A&M & Mexico)

In this episode of The Diving Pod, we sit down with NCAA platform champion Emilio Treviño from Texas A&M Aggies to talk about his incredible freshman-year rise to the top of college diving. Emilio shares his journey from Mexico to the United States, detailing the challenges of adapting to a new culture, training environment, and level of competition.

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.

Episode #261 Max Wasiniak (Wayne State)

This episode of The Diving Pod spotlights rising talent Max Wasiniak, the NCAA Division II 1-meter national champion out of Wayne State University. As a junior, Max breaks down the journey that led him to the top of the podium, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the work, mindset, and consistency it took to get there.

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.

Episode #260 American Cup Review

In this episode, we break down everything that went down at the recent American Cup, diving into the results, standout performances, and what it all means 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

Episode #259 David Colturi (Purdue & Red Bull Cliff Diver)

This episode of the Diving Pod features David Colturi, diving into his unique journey from traditional springboard and platform diving to becoming one of the faces of professional cliff diving. Colturi reflects on his time competing at Purdue University, where he developed the technical foundation and competitive mindset that would later set him apart. He shares how his college career as a national-level diver gave him the confidence to pursue opportunities beyond the pool.

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

Episode #258 Micki King (Michigan & Team USA)

This episode of The Diving Pod features a conversation with diving legend Micki King, whose story goes far beyond the pool. King reflects on her journey from a young athlete navigating a male-dominated sport to becoming an Olympic gold medalist and one of the most influential figures in diving history. She shares the challenges she faced during a time when opportunities for women in sports were limited, and how perseverance, resilience, and belief in her abilities helped her break through.

The episode dives into her impact on the growth of women’s athletics in the United States, including her role in advancing equality and visibility for female athletes during a pivotal era. King offers perspective on how far the sport has come. It’s a powerful conversation that blends history, personal triumph, and a lasting legacy that continues to shape the future of diving.

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.