Deep Diving into Everything Swimming! Defogging Goggles, Buying the RIGHT Westsuit and Funny Stories!
In this episode, Rob and Matt dive deep into the most feared and misunderstood discipline of triathlon: the swim. Based on listener data and coaching experience, swimming—specifically in open water—consistently generates the most questions and anxiety for first-time athletes.
The duo shares brutal and hilarious "war stories," from losing expensive dental work mid-race to seeing world-class athletes wearing their gear backward. More importantly, they provide professional hacks for gear maintenance and mindset shifts that can turn a terrifying open-water experience into a major advantage on race day.
Key Takeaways
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Respect, Not Fear: While the swim only accounts for a small portion of your race time, it is the only discipline where a lack of preparation can lead to a DNF before the day really starts.
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The "Iron Tooth" Lesson: Acknowledging open-water anxiety early and finding a solution (like hypnotherapy) can prevent an incident, like taking an elbow to the face, from becoming a full-blown panic attack.
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Don't Over-Spend on Speed: High-end, thin wetsuits designed for pros often lack the buoyancy a beginner needs. Middle-to-lower-range suits provide more "lift" in the water, making them more efficient for less experienced swimmers.
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A Professional Diver’s Secret: Forget expensive anti-fog sprays. Use a single drop of "no tears" baby shampoo on dry goggles, rinse them in the race water, and you will have fog-free vision for the entire swim.
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Timestamps
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[00:00] Introduction: Matt Davis returns as permanent co-host for "Round 2".
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[03:45] The Fear Factor: Why the swim is the #1 source of anxiety for unlikely triathletes.
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[08:12] Respect vs. Fear: Discussing the importance of being "competent, confident, and safe".
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[12:30] Brutal Truths: The reality of rough ocean starts and the need for open-water tuition.
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[18:45] The "Iron Tooth" Story: Matt's hilarious and expensive story of losing a $3,000 dental implant at the first buoy.
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[24:20] Wetsuit Selection: Why a more buoyant (and often cheaper) suit is better for non-natural swimmers.
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[27:55] Gear Blunders: Seeing a World Championship qualifier wearing his wetsuit backward.
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[33:10] The Fitting Demo: How many experienced athletes still don't know how to put a wetsuit on correctly.
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[38:25] The Professional Diving Secret: Rob reveals the baby shampoo trick for "steamy windows" (foggy goggles).
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[42:50] Final Wisdom: JFK’s "we choose to go to the moon" applied to triathlon challenges.
Coach To Finish Line Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefVVxT7zOG0dTLFxGiSyH520mo5tjEICe3sM1apm-4im_2qA/viewform?usp=header [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefVVxT7zOG0dTLFxGiSyH520mo5tjEICe3sM1apm-4im_2qA/viewform?usp=header]
Matt Bio & Links
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Matt is a high-performance endurance and executive coach who helps ambitious business professionals train smarter, perform better, and rediscover what they’re truly capable of — whether that’s crossing an IRONMAN finish line, reclaiming their health, or simply proving mid-life doesn’t have to mean slowing down.
Mixing a 20-year career in senior finance leadership alongside years of endurance coaching and racing experience (from “fat banker” to Ironman — his words, not ours), Matt specialises in premium, highly personalised coaching that delivers exceptional value, blending world-class training, accountability, and mindset coaching for people ready to make meaningful, lasting change — with just enough humour along the way to remind everyone that Lycra is still never entirely flattering.*
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/matt_james_davies/ [https://www.instagram.com/matt_james_davies/]
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-davies-precision-coach/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-davies-precision-coach/]
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Social Links
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576327959322 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576327959322]
[%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0http://instagram.com/rob_hardstone%E2%81%A0]http://instagram.com/rob_hardstone [%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0http://instagram.com/rob_hardstone%E2%81%A0]
https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.hardstone [https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.hardstone]
Rob BIO
Rob Hardstone, is a battle-tested IronmanU-certified triathlon coach with a knack for inspiring the everyday athlete. A former Crew Commander in the South African Defence Force’s 1 Special Services Battalion, Rob honed resilience during the Border Wars in an unsettled, apartheid South Africa. His daring career as a commercial saturation diver took him worldwide, facing life-threatening challenges with grit and luck. Despite his slight build, Rob’s passion for endurance sports drove him to conquer 11 ultra-distance triathlons, including 5 full Ironmans, 6 70.3s, numerous sprints, ultra swims, and 80km runs. Self-coached through trial and error, he now guides “unlikely” athletes to surpass their doubts. Rob’s humorous, brutally honest storytelling—woven with global adventures and hard-won lessons—sets him apart. Listeners will find unmatched credibility and inspiration from his journey, connecting with guests from all walks who’ve triumphed against the odds.
This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/ [https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/]
