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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.​

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.

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.

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.

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.