The Diving Pod

Heath Calhoun & Aaron Rooney

Just two guys talking diving.

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26 episodes
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Avg 42 min
English

Episodes 26

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#295
Monday · 37 min
Episode #280 Mikey Allison (Clarion & Allegheny)
In this episode of The Diving Pod, Heath and Aaron sit down with Mikey Allison, a coach whose journey in diving has taken some unexpected but exciting turns. Mikey previously served as a graduate assistant at Ashland University before the COVID-19 pandemic changed the direction of his coaching career. Since then, he has coached high school football, helped reboot a diving program, and continued building his experience as a coach and leader. Now, Mikey is making his return to the college coaching world as he joins Allegheny College, taking on the challenge of rebuilding and elevating their diving program. Mikey shares his coaching journey, the lessons he has learned outside of collegiate diving, what it was like helping restart a program, and why he believes now is the right time to return to college coaching. The guys also discuss the challenges of building a successful diving program, recruiting, developing athletes, and the excitement surrounding the opportunity to bring Allegheny diving back to a high level. It’s a great conversation about taking different paths, continuing to grow as a coach, and getting another opportunity to build something special in college diving.
#294
September 7 · 14 min
Episode #279 2026-2027 NCAA Predictions
Heath and Aaron are back with one of their favorite episodes of the year — NCAA Division I Championship predictions! With the best divers in the country preparing to battle for national titles, the guys break down all six individual diving events and make their picks for who will stand on top.
#293
August 31 · 58 min
Episode #278 Jack Ryan Data Review (Stanford)
Jack Ryan joins The Diving Pod to give us an update on life after college diving, what he’s been up to, and what training looks like now that his collegiate career has come to an end. But the bulk of this episode dives into Jack’s research into one of the most interesting questions in competitive diving: Is there a judging bias when athletes compete at meets where judges and divers are from the same country? Jack breaks down the data behind perfect 10s, looking at when they are awarded, who receives them, and whether a connection between judges and athletes from the same country could influence scoring. We discuss the numbers, trends, and what the data may—or may not—tell us about judging in the sport. It’s a fascinating conversation about diving, statistics, judging, and whether the numbers support the idea of national bias on the judging panel.
#292
August 24 · 32 min
Episode #277 Junior & Senior National Recap
Heath and Aaron break down USA Diving’s Junior and Senior Nationals, taking a closer look at the performances, standout divers, big moments, and storylines from both levels of competition. From the next generation of rising stars to the athletes competing at the highest level, they discuss what stood out throughout the championships and what these results could mean for the future of American diving. A full recap packed with diving, competition, and plenty of opinions from Heath and Aaron.
#291
August 17 · 39 min
Episode #276 Diving Talk Pt. 2
Heath and Aaron sit down for a casual conversation about some of the behind-the-scenes situations that come with the sport. They share their perspectives on the diving world and take a deeper look at a situation Heath recently worked through with USA Diving, giving listeners a glimpse into what happens away from the pool and the challenges coaches can face when advocating for their athletes. It’s a relaxed conversation filled with diving talk, coaching stories, and the real-world side of navigating the sport at the highest levels.
#290
August 10 · 35 min
Episode #275 Areal Vanden Akker (Davenport)
This week on The Diving Pod, we sit down with one of the great coaches in Division II diving, Areal Vanden Akker of Davenport University! Areal takes us through her journey from diver to coach, her passion for developing athletes, and the work she has done building Davenport into a growing force in collegiate diving. From coaching young divers to guiding athletes onto the biggest stages in Division II, Areal shares the lessons, experiences, and philosophy that have shaped her career.
#289
August 3 · 52 min
Episode #274 Diving Talk with Aaron & Heath
Join us as we talk about diving camps, helping talented divers as they get into the sport and more!
#288
July 27 · 53 min
Episode #273 Maria Faoro (Auburn)
On this episode of The Diving Pod, we welcome Maria Faoro, a rising sophomore at Auburn University. Maria reflects on her unique path in diving, representing Brazil on the international stage, and how those experiences prepared her for the transition to one of the premier diving programs in the country at Auburn. We dive into what it was like adjusting to college athletics, training under Auburn's coaching staff, balancing academics with the demands of SEC competition, and the lessons learned during her freshman season. Maria also shares her goals heading into year two, how she's working to elevate her diving to the next level, and what excites her most about the future of her career. Whether you're a young diver navigating the recruiting process, a fan of collegiate diving, or simply enjoy hearing the stories behind rising stars, this episode offers an inside look at the dedication, resilience, and passion that continue to drive Maria Faoro's success.
#287
July 20 · 33 min
Episode #272 ElliReese Niday (COM)
On this episode of The Diving Pod, we sit down with one of the brightest young stars in the sport, ElliReese Niday. Already making history before even reaching high school, ElliReese shares the journey that's made her one of the most exciting prospects in USA Diving. From dominating the junior ranks to becoming one of the youngest senior national champions in recent history, ElliReese discusses what it's like competing against the nation's best, handling the pressure of skyrocketing expectations, and staying grounded while chasing Olympic dreams. She opens up about her training, the sacrifices behind her rapid rise, and the family support system that's helped shape her into one of Team USA's fastest-rising talents. We also dive into her biggest moments on the platform, what she's learned from competing internationally, her goals for the future, and why she's determined to keep improving every day. Whether you're a young diver looking for inspiration or a lifelong fan of the sport, ElliReese's passion, maturity, and love for diving shine throughout this conversation. Don't miss this inspiring episode with a diver who is proving that age is just a number and whose journey is only getting started.
#286
July 13 · 46 min
Episode #271 Samm Helmboldt
On this episode of The Diving Pod, we sit down with Samm Helmboldt, a rising senior at the University of Louisville. From growing up in Arizona, to Midland, Texas. Samm shares the journey that shaped her into an NCAA qualifier and ACC standout.
#285
July 6 · 31 min
Episode #270 Mike Flamm (Clarion)
In this episode of The Diving Pod, we welcome Mike Flamm to share his journey through the sport and his experience as a member of the storied Clarion Golden Eagles diving program. Mike reflects on how he first got involved in diving, the challenges he faced throughout his career, and the moments that shaped him both as an athlete and as a person. He talks about what drew him to Clarion, the culture within the program, and the lessons he's learned from competing at the collegiate level.
#284
June 29 · 33 min
Episode #269 Dash Glasberg (Indiana)
In this episode of The Diving Pod, we sit down with rising star Dash Glasberg to discuss his journey through the sport and what it takes to compete at one of the nation's premier diving programs. Dash shares how he got his start in diving, the people who have influenced his career, and the path that led him to Indiana Hoosiers. He reflects on the transition to college diving, balancing academics with the demands of training, and what it's like competing alongside some of the best divers in the country.
#283
June 22 · 28 min
Episode #268 NISCA All-American Process
Ever wondered how a diver earns the prestigious NISCA High School All-American honor? In this episode of The Diving Pod, Aaron Rooney breaks down the entire process from the perspective of someone who serves as a NISCA judge.
#282
June 15 · 49 min
Episode #267 Nick Fogle (Denison)
On this episode of The Diving Pod, we sit down with Nick Fogle. Fresh off an unforgettable senior season at Denison University, Nick capped his collegiate career by sweeping both the 1-meter and 3-meter national titles while earning CSCAA Men's Diver of the Year honors. Nick takes us through his entire diving journey, from his early introduction to the sport in Minnesota to becoming a six-time All-American and national champion. We discuss the steady progression that led him from NCAA qualifier to podium finisher and ultimately to the top of Division III diving. Along the way, he shares the lessons learned from setbacks, the importance of trusting the process, and how his work ethic helped him reach the highest level of collegiate competition.
#281
June 8 · 52 min
Episode #266 Jay Lerew (Texas A&M)
This week on The Diving Pod, we sit down with one of the most accomplished and fascinating figures the sport has ever seen, Jay Lerew. From an unlikely start in athletics to becoming one of the most respected coaches in the world, Jay's journey is anything but ordinary. Before he was producing NCAA champions and Olympians, Jay was soaring through the air as a professional aerial acrobatic skier, performing the kinds of flips and twists that looked straight out of a James Bond movie. That unique background eventually led him to the diving world, where he discovered a passion for coaching that would shape generations of athletes. Jay shares stories from his remarkable coaching career, including leading the United States as Head Olympic Diving Coach at the 2000 Olympic Games, building powerhouse club programs, and transforming the diving program at Texas A&M Athletics into a national contender. Along the way, he developed NCAA champions, Olympians, conference champions, and countless All-Americans while earning multiple National and Conference Coach of the Year honors. We dive into the lessons he's learned from decades on deck, the athletes who shaped his career, and the passion that kept him pushing the sport forward. Whether you're a diver, coach, or simply love hearing incredible life stories, this episode offers a rare look into the mind of a coach whose impact on diving stretches across generations. Join us as we hear the unforgettable story of Jay Lerew—a coach, innovator, Olympian mentor, aerial skier, and quite possibly the most interesting man in diving.
#280
June 1 · 49 min
Episode #265 Colleen Hudson (Clarion)
On this episode of The Diving Pod, we sit down with Colleen Hudson to talk about an unforgettable junior season that ended with her standing on top of the podium as the NCAA Division II National Champion on 3-meter. Colleen reflects on the work, consistency, and confidence it took to reach that moment, along with the pressure and excitement of competing in one of the deepest diving fields in the country.
#279
May 25 · 46 min
Episode #264 Ellie Cole (Stanford & Australia)
On this episode of The Diving Pod, we sit down with Ellie Cole to talk about her incredible journey from Australia to one of the top collegiate diving programs in the country at Stanford Cardinal. Ellie reflects on her early beginnings in the sport, the transition from elite international competition to NCAA diving, and what it was like balancing life as a freshman student-athlete while competing at the highest level.
#278
May 18 · 26 min
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.
#277
May 12 · 46 min
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.
#276
May 4 · 38 min
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.

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