Helen Gorman catches up with masters swimmer John Wood following his standout performances at the Aquatics GB Championships in London, where racing shoulder-to-shoulder with the country’s elite pushed him to a lifetime best in the 100m butterfly at age 40.

We also shine a light on other masters swimmers racing at the very top level, including Rebecca Guy, who powered her way into two finals, and Martin Bennell, who made history as the oldest ever competitor at the championships at 49.

From warming up alongside Olympic champions to navigating the intensity of a high-performance environment, John gives an insight into the week - what he learned, and why more masters swimmers should consider stepping onto this stage.

Plus, we explore how to qualify, the pathway to the Olympic Games trials in 2028, and John reveals his unusual side hustle.

Mike Peyrebrune, coach and sports scientist at Loughborough University, joins us to share expert insight into altitude training and warm weather camps. Drawing on his experience working with Olympic swimmers, Mike explains how elite athletes use these environments to fine-tune performance - and what that really looks like in practice.

We explore the science behind altitude training, from the physiological adaptations to the realities of living and training in a low-oxygen environment. What benefits are swimmers actually chasing? How are altitude camps structured across a season? And where do the marginal gains really come from?

Crucially, we bring the conversation back to club and masters swimmers. Is altitude training realistic, or even worthwhile outside the elite system? We discuss the trade-offs, the limitations, and the alternatives, including heat training and warm weather camps.

We sit down with 2025 British Masters Decathlon champions Michelle Ware and Mike Hodgson to unpack one of swimming’s most intriguing competitions.

They break down what the Decathlon actually is, how it works, and how any masters swimmer can get involved - whether you’re chasing points or just looking for a new challenge. We also dive into how it can keep you motivated across the season and push you beyond your usual comfort zone.

Along the way, we tackle the mysterious age-adjustment formula (yes, we try to make sense of it…) and explore why Jane Asher continues to set the standard as one of the toughest competitors to beat.

The best part? You’re probably already in it. Every British masters swimmer is automatically included - so this might just be the nudge you need to broaden your events and give it a go.