The Diving Pod

Episode #246 Olivia Nelson (West Florida)

In this episode of The Diving Pod, we sit down with Olivia Nelson, senior diver at West Florida, to talk about her experience being part of an all-women’s swimming and diving program and what that environment has meant for her growth as both a diver and a person.

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.

Episode #246 Kalina Ceglinski (Northern Michigan)

In this episode of The Diving Pod, we sit down with Kalina Ceglinski, junior diver at Northern Michigan, to talk through her diving journey and continued growth at the collegiate level. Kalina opens up about what it was like arriving at NMU and fully embracing the challenge of developing on 3-meter once she got to college, highlighting her coachability, curiosity, and willingness to learn something uncomfortable in order to get better.

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.

Episode #244 Sophie Verzyl (South Carolina)

In this upcoming episode of The Diving Pod, Heath and Aaron sit down with South Carolina diver Sophie Verzyl to talk through her diving journey and the mindset that has shaped her career. Sophie shares her experiences competing at a high level, how she’s grown as an athlete over time, and the mental approach she brings to training and competition. From handling pressure on the boards to staying consistent through the ups and downs of a collegiate season, this conversation offers insight into what it takes to develop confidence, resilience, and long-term success in the sport of diving.

Episode #243 Max Flory Demo & Quick Hitter

In this episode, Heath and Aaron give their perspective on last chance meets and share their opinions on how athletes and coaches should approach them. They also discuss feet-first entries, why they matter, and common things they see on deck that can impact scoring.

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.

Episode #242 Winter Nationals Review

In this episode of The Diving Pod, we break down everything that stood out from the recently completed USA Diving Winter Nationals. From breakout performances by young athletes to veterans showing why they continue to raise the standard, Winter Nationals once again proved to be one of the most important checkpoints in the domestic season.

Episode #241 Manny Pollard

This week’s episode features Manny Pollard, a name that carries real weight in the diving world. Manny’s journey has taken him from being a standout diver at Minnesota, to sharpening his coaching craft as an assistant diving coach at Texas, and now back home where he’s building something special.

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.

Episode #240 Winter Nationals Preview

In this episode of The Diving Pod, we dive into everything you need to know ahead of the 2025 USA Diving Winter Nationals. We break down the key storylines heading into the championship, highlight the athletes to watch on both springboard and platform, and explore how this year’s event will shape the early road toward the 2028 Olympic cycle.

Episode #239 Mohamed Farouk (Miami & Egypt)

In this episode, The Diving Pod sits down with Egyptian Olympian and current University of Miami standout Mohamed Farouk. Mohamed shares the story of his remarkable journey—from growing up in Egypt and discovering the sport of diving, to developing into one of the nation’s top athletes and ultimately representing his country on the Olympic stage.

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.

Episode #238 Andrew Bennett (Minnesota)

In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Bennett, standout senior diver at the University of Minnesota, to dive into his unique journey through the recruiting process and what ultimately led him to join the Gophers. Andrew shares what it’s been like training under legendary coach Wenbo Chen, offering insight into Wenbo’s coaching style, training environment, and the lessons that have shaped his development as an athlete.

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.

Episode #237 Max Flory Mentor Program (Miami & DDC)

In this episode of The Diving Pod, we welcome Max Flory, current Team USA diver and rising leader in the sport, to talk about his brand-new Max Flory Mentor Program. Balancing his own elite career with a drive to support the next generation, Max shares why he felt compelled to create a mentorship platform while still competing at the highest level.

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!