Episode 41: TJ Hayes and Katya Eruslanova

Episode 41: TJ Hayes and Katya Eruslanova

In this episode of Life in Lane 4, I sit down with Katya Ruslanova, a rising senior at the University of Pennsylvania, and TJ Hayes, a rising sophomore at Lehigh University, for the podcast's first-ever dual guest episode. We talk about their experiences transitioning from high school to college, and what makes this conversation especially interesting is how different their journeys have been. Katya and TJ share the challenges, successes, and lessons they've learned while navigating college athletics and academics. Despite both being student-athletes, their experiences have been almost complete opposites, offering two unique perspectives on finding your place, managing expectations, and adapting to a new environment. This episode highlights the fact that there is no single "right" college experience and that growth can happen in many different ways.

Episode 40: JP Giglio

In this episode of Life in Lane 4, I sit down with JP Giglio, a freshman at Amherst College, to talk about the mindset and support systems that help athletes succeed. We discuss the importance of staying positive through both successes and setbacks, and how the people around you can make a huge difference in your growth as a swimmer and as a person. JP also shares why keeping an open mind has been so valuable throughout his journey, whether it's meeting new people, adapting to new challenges, or taking advantage of unexpected opportunities.

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.