
Swimming
Listen now
Listen in the appEpisode context
Listen here or keep browsing the show and related sport coverage from here.
Nicola Charlesworth shares her remarkable journey as a deaf swimmer, her return to the pool after a 17-year break, and the record-breaking performances that have made her a name to look out for in masters swimming.
Her path back to success has been anything but straightforward - from representing Great Britain as an elite junior swimmer with Olympic ambitions, to navigating progressive hearing loss and recovering after being hit by a bus.
Nicola shares the unexpected challenges she faces as a deaf athlete, balancing training with a demanding career and young family, and the powerful role swimming plays in her mental wellbeing. We also explore what drives her to keep pushing boundaries in the pool.
Visit our Instagram channel @freestyle_media_swimming for lots of great video clips from our weekly podcasts.
Next listen
All from Freestyle Media →
Next listen
#191: Aberdeen 2026: Records, Revelry & Masters Magic
Listen guide
"#186: Nicola Charlesworth on Masters Swimming, Deaflympics and Determination" is an episode of Freestyle Media. Runtime 40 min. Published May 18, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.