The Josh Bey "Barracuda" Mentality: From Freshman Struggles to NCAA SilverJosh Bey | Episode 293
4/24/20261 hr 1 min
In this episode of Social Kick, Bryan Lundquist and Dr. John Mullen sit down with Indiana University’s breakout freshman sensation, Josh Bey. After a monster first year that saw him drop 5 seconds in his 200 breaststroke to become the #8 all-time performer (1:48.9) and win the Big 10 title in the 400 IM, Josh pulls back the curtain on the mental and physical grind of elite college swimming. Josh opens up about his "cannon event"—a heart-to-heart meeting in December that saved his season—and how he moved past crippling superstitions to finally trust his gut. We dive deep into the IU breaststroke culture, the technical "pause" trick that changed his turns, and why he responds best when coaches get in his face.
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsBrian Lundquist· Host0:00
I mean, he's one of the top recruits in the class, but he ends up making three finals at NCAAs and gets second in the 200 breast with a 1:48, becoming number 10 all time, and he wins the Big 10 in the 4IM. And man, did the kid deliver for IU.
John Mullen· Host0:14
Huge swims when it mattered, breaking the Big 10 record in the 4IM, and then getting second in the 200 breast in what was an open field that was very crowded. He got his hands in there for that silver medal, some huge points. And like you said, he's only a freshman.
Brian Lundquist· Host0:29
Yeah, scary. Super scary. Welcome to Social Kick. I'm Brian Lundquist. He's Dr. John Mullen. Luke unfortunately quit the podcast, so sorry, guys, it's just us two from now on. But that's okay, 'cause we got breaststroke sensation, the true real breaststroker and IMer, Josh Bay. What's up, dude? How are you?
Josh Bey· Guest0:49
What's going on, guys? Thank you so much for having me. I'm really excited to be on the show today.
Brian Lundquist· Host0:53
Yeah, we're stoked to talk to you, man. We, uh, we got to hang out with your dad a bit tailgating at NCAAs, and, uh, meanwhile we're just, uh, watching his son tear it up with a few finals and throwing down some points for IU. It's good to, good to see, man, the whole family connection.
Josh Bey· Guest1:09
A great start of the year. Uh, who doesn't love my dad? I mean, I feel like everyone who knows me knows my dad, I swear. Um, I'll go to- Yeah ... meets, I'll see people and they'll be like, "Ah, I met your dad." And I'll be like, "Ah, you did."
John Mullen· Host1:23
[laughs] [laughs] Well, a couple things. For all the, all the Luke fans out there, he didn't actually quit, so