Epsiode 36: Matvei Namakonov

Episode 39: Josie Strader

In this episode of Life in Lane 4, I sit down with Josie Strader, who will be joining La Salle University next year, to talk about the challenges that come with balancing high school, swimming, and everything in between. Josie shares her experience working through the tougher parts of being a student-athlete, how she handled setbacks and pressure, and what helped her keep moving forward. We also get into some fun hot takes and opinions on swimming, school, and the student-athlete experience.

Episode 38: Tim Hanway

In this episode of Life in Lane 4, I sit down with Tim Hanway, a Loyola Maryland commit, to talk about what it takes to balance swimming while going to school and training in two different states. Tim shares how he managed the constant travel, stayed organized, and kept up with both academics and athletics throughout high school. We also talk about how he made the most out of his senior year and the mindset shifts that helped him enjoy the experience more. Toward the end of the episode, Tim reflects on what he wishes he would have done differently during his four years of high school and the advice he would give to younger student-athletes trying to make the most of their time.

Episode 37: Rafae Shafi

In this episode of Life in Lane 4, I sit down with Rafae Shafi, a swimmer at Tufts University, and we talk about what it really means to improve in swimming. Not just when you’re dropping time, but also when you’re not. Rafae shares how he’s learned to get the most out of the sport regardless of results, and why progress goes beyond the clock. We also get into how he balances swimming, school, and everything else on his plate, and what’s helped him stay consistent at a high level. A big part of our conversation is about being open, putting yourself out there, and having the confidence to grow, both in and out of the pool.

Epsiode 36: Matvei Namakonov

In this episode of Life in Lane 4, I sit down with Matvei Namakonov, a senior at the University of Delaware, two-time NCAA qualifier, and the 18th all-time performer nationally in the 100 breaststroke. We talk about his experience at the 2026 NCAA Championships, including making the A final, and what it takes to compete at that level. He shares how to approach a meet with purpose, stay locked in across multiple days of racing, and what separates good swimmers from great ones. We also get into how he built strong study habits and balanced academics with high-level swimming throughout his time at Delaware. This episode is about discipline, consistency, and making the most of every opportunity.

Epsiode 35: Luke Schafer

In this episode of Life in Lane 4, I sit down with Luke Schafer to talk about his recent meet and what he took away from that experience. We also get into the differences between private and public school, and how those environments can impact both academics and athletics. Luke shares how he manages his time and stays on top of everything, even with a busy schedule. This episode is focused on learning how to stay organized, handle pressure, and get the most out of both school and swimming.