エピソード

  • „Ich bin superglücklich, dass ich diesen Weg gegangen bin“ – Sascha Seifert (Teil 1)
    2025/12/13
    In dieser Folge meines Wasserball Podcasts spreche ich mit Sascha Seifert, Wasserball-Nationalspieler und Bundesligaspieler beim ASC Duisburg. Gemeinsam sprechen wir darüber, wie der Weg in den deutschen Leistungssport wirklich aussieht – zwischen Wasserball Bundesliga, Studium, Nationalmannschaft und internationalem Wettbewerb im Eurocup. Sascha erzählt, wie er vom Schwimmen zum Wasserball kam, warum er früh an die Elite-Schule des Sports in Potsdam wechselte und wie diese Zeit seine Karriere entscheidend geprägt hat. Über seine Entscheidung für den Leistungssport sagt er selbst: „Im Nachhinein hat sich das auf jeden Fall gelohnt – und ich bin superglücklich, dass ich diesen Weg gegangen bin.“ Wir sprechen außerdem über seinen Wechsel in die Wasserball Bundesliga nach Duisburg, über Vereinsstrukturen, Ehrenamt, finanzielle Realität im deutschen Wasserball und darüber, wie herausfordernd es ist, Sport, Studium und Privatleben miteinander zu verbinden. Auch die aktuelle Entwicklung des ASC Duisburg, internationale Spiele im Eurocup sowie die Rolle deutscher Nationalspieler in den Top-Teams sind Thema. Sascha bringt es treffend auf den Punkt: „Ich glaube, wir sind jetzt an einem Punkt angekommen, an dem wir wirklich eine richtig gute Mannschaft geworden sind.“ Die wichtigsten Aussagen & Erkenntnisse aus der Folge Der Weg in den Wasserball-Leistungssport in Deutschland beginnt oft sehr früh und verlangt viel Verzicht. Eine Sportschule kann ein echter Karriereschlüssel sein, wenn Training und Schule optimal verzahnt sind. Vereinswechsel sind nicht nur sportlich, sondern auch persönlich große Umbrüche. Und vor allem wird klar: Erfolg in der Wasserball Bundesliga entsteht nicht durch große Namen – sondern durch Konstanz, Vertrauen, Teamgeist und professionelle Strukturen. 🎧 Wenn du wissen willst, wie sich Leistungssport im deutschen Wasserball wirklich anfühlt – mit allen Höhen, Zweifeln und Entwicklungsschritten – dann hör jetzt unbedingt in diese Folge rein. Wenn dir der Podcast gefällt, freue ich mich riesig über ein Abo, eine Bewertung und wenn du die Folge mit anderen teilst, die sich für Wasserball, Bundesliga oder Nachwuchsförderung interessieren. Danke für deinen Support! 💙🤽‍♂️
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    31 分
  • "You can’t sprint every day" - Brian Xicotencatl (Ep. 2)
    2025/12/06
    In Part 2 of this episode of WET – Waterpolo Expert Talk, I continue the deep performance conversation with Brian Xicotencatl, founder of WaterPolo Strong, with a strong focus on training structure, sprint physiology, recovery monitoring, and data-driven coaching. We discuss why it is physiologically impossible to sprint every day, how different energy systems work in water polo, and why proper recovery windows are non-negotiable for long-term performance. Brian explains how to structure training weeks using low days, stimulation days, and true sprint days, and why this approach protects both performance and athlete health. A central topic of this episode is heart rate variability (HRV) and how wearable technology can help coaches objectively assess nervous system stress and recovery. We talk about how HRV data can be used to adjust training loads, prevent overtraining, and make smarter coaching decisions based on real physiological feedback instead of guesswork. We also dive into long-term athlete development, the role of puberty in sprint capacity, and why children must not be trained like adults. Brian breaks down the three key pillars of success for modern water polo coaches: long-term development planning, understanding metabolic systems, and consistent self-care. Finally, Brian explains his collaboration with 6-8 Sports, how movement quality, power output, and game performance can be measured together, and why mobility problems are always performance problems. 🎧 Part 2 is available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podigee, and all major platforms.
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    23 分
  • "You can’t out-train poor recovery" - Brian Xicotencatl (Ep. 1)
    2025/11/29
    In Part 1 of this episode of WET – Waterpolo Expert Talk, I speak with Brian Xicotencatl, founder of WaterPolo Strong, strength & conditioning coach, and sports science researcher specializing in water polo performance and injury prevention. Brian shares how his own playing career — marked by a long list of serious injuries — completely changed his understanding of training, recovery, and self-care. He explains why many water polo players are still underserved by outdated training methods, and why the sport is, in his words, still “where soccer was in the 1800s” when it comes to applied sports science. A major focus of this first part is self-care and preparation. We talk in detail about: - Why foam rolling, stretching, and hydration are not optional add-ons but essential performance tools - How mobility directly affects power output, shooting ability, and verticality - Why many athletes unknowingly limit themselves through poor movement habits - The importance of proper warm-up and cool-down routines before and after training How recovery only truly begins when the body shifts from fight-or-flight into parasympathetic mode Brian also explains why water polo players must start seeing themselves as high-level athletes, not just as players who train in the pool. He highlights how neglecting foundational physical work leads to avoidable injuries and long-term performance limitations. The conversation further touches on hydration and in-game fueling, why athletes lose far more fluids and carbohydrates than they realize, and how modern sports nutrition is starting to influence elite water polo performance. In the second half of this episode, Brian introduces the concept behind WaterPolo Strong: why he created a dedicated strength & conditioning platform for water polo, why youth development (ages 12–18) is the key window for building real athletic foundations, and why basic movement quality must always come before heavy lifting or high-intensity conditioning. This first episode sets the foundation for a deep, science-based look at how water polo athletes should be developed — physically, structurally, and sustainably. 🎧 Episode 1 is available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.
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    22 分
  • “Women’s Water Polo: The Gap We Can’t Ignore” - Izabella Chiappini (Ep. 2)
    2025/11/22
    In this new episode of WET – Waterpolo Expert Talk, I continue my conversation with a player from the Italian Serie A to take a closer look at the current challenges and opportunities in women’s water polo. Following the first part of our discussion, where we explored her personal journey and the overall state of the sport, this second part focuses on visibility, media exposure, and the structural gap between the women’s and men’s game. A central theme of this episode is the lack of live streaming and media coverage, which makes it difficult for young athletes to discover the sport and identify with female role models. We also discuss how the quality of production, investment levels, and prize money differ significantly between men’s and women’s competitions — and how even small improvements could dramatically accelerate the growth of women’s water polo. Key Points of This Episode: - The media and visibility gap between women’s and men’s water polo - Why reliable streaming, highlights, and live coverage are essential for the sport’s future - The competitive development of the Italian women’s league and its rising level - The impact of investment, prize money, and promotional resources - How the absence of coverage affects youth development and role models - A personal perspective on injury recovery, resilience, and elite-level motivation - Why the goal is not full equality — but closing the unnecessary performance and visibility gap - What the sport offers beyond medals: experiences, opportunities, and global community We also talk about her recovery after shoulder surgery, the increasing competitiveness of the Italian league, and the broader values that help athletes stay committed through both success and setbacks. This episode provides a clear, honest look at the structural challenges facing women’s water polo today — and why improving visibility is one of the most powerful ways to drive long-term growth. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred platform.
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    23 分
  • “Against All Odds: The Global Journey of Izabella Chiappini” (Ep. 1)
    2025/11/15
    In this episode of the Water Polo Expert Talk, we sit down with Brazilian-Italian water polo talent Izabella Chiappini — a player whose career spans continents, cultures, and some of the sport’s biggest stages. Izabella opens up about her unique journey: growing up in Brazil with two water polo parents, being coached by her extremely tough father (“My dad would kick me out of practice at least once a week… but 90% of the player I am today is because of him.”), and navigating a system where women’s water polo receives almost no structural support. She shares raw insights into the funding struggles in Brazil, the emotional rollercoaster of playing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and the overwhelming power of the home crowd cheering them on (“Even when we were losing, it felt like we were winning.”). We dive deep into her bold decision to switch national teams and join Italy — leaving behind her university career in the United States to chase an Olympic medal. Izabella also reflects on the hardest moments of her professional life, including a serious shoulder injury, the fear of not returning to her level, and how a season in France opened the door for her comeback. This is a story about ambition, resilience, sacrifice, and the strength to reinvent yourself — on and off the field of play. A must-listen for anyone who loves water polo, elite sport, or simply a powerful human story. 🎧 Enjoyed the episode? Hit follow, leave us a rating, and help more people discover stories like this one.
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    32 分
  • "Wir müssen den Wasserball neu denken!“ - DSV-CEO Jan Pommer im Gespräch (Teil 2)
    2025/11/08
    Auch im zweiten Teil meines Gesprächs mit Jan Pommer, dem Leiter Leistungssport im Deutschen Schwimm-Verband (DSV), geht es um die Zukunft unserer Sportart und was es für eine Wiederbelebung des Wasserballs braucht. Wir reden darüber, wie Wasserball wieder mehr Aufmerksamkeit bekommen kann – durch verständlichere Regeln, neue Formate und eine stärkere Präsenz in den Medien. Dabei insbesondere welche Bemühungen der DSV hierzu seit geraumer Zeit unternimmt und welches Ziel damit verbunden ist. Jan erklärt ebenfalls, warum Nachwuchsförderung und klare Strukturen entscheidend sind, um langfristig erfolgreich zu sein – und weshalb Fairplay und Haltung wichtiger bleiben als jeder schnelle Sieg. Ein offenes Gespräch über Wandel, Verantwortung und die Leidenschaft, Wasserball gemeinsam in eine bessere Zukunft zu führen. ➡️ Jetzt reinhören, teilen und weitersagen – denn die Zukunft unseres Sports beginnt mit uns!
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    30 分
  • „Neuer Kurs im DSV – Jan Pommer über Struktur, Digitalisierung & Zukunft des Schwimmsports“
    2025/11/01
    In dieser Folge habe ich endlich mal wieder jemanden aus der Verbandswelt zu Gast – und zwar niemand Geringeren als Jan Pommer, den neuen CEO des Deutschen Schwimmverbandes (DSV). 💦 Wir sprechen darüber, was sich im DSV gerade alles bewegt – von neuen Strukturen über Digitalisierung bis hin zur großen Frage: Wie schaffen wir es, dass der Wasserball wieder die Aufmerksamkeit bekommt, die er verdient 🔥 Jan kommt aus dem Basketball, war dort Geschäftsführer der Bundesliga und bringt viel Erfahrung aus dem Sportbusiness mit. Er erläutert, wie der DSV aufgebaut ist, was sich in den letzten Monaten verändert hat und warum die neue Vorstandsstruktur ein echter Schritt Richtung Professionalität ist. Natürlich ging’s auch um Themen wie 💻 Digitalisierung, 💸 neue Geschäftsfelder und 📺 mehr Sichtbarkeit für Wasserball und Co. Jan verrät, wie der DSV in Zukunft mit Medienpartnern zusammenarbeiten will, was bei der Wasserball-Bundesliga schon gut läuft – und warum wir alle ein bisschen mehr „Einfach mal machen, könnte ja gut werden!“ brauchen. 😎 Wenn ihr wissen wollt, was im DSV passiert, wie sich Strukturen ändern und warum Jan Pommer überzeugt ist, dass Wasserball mehr Bühne verdient hat – dann ist das eure Folge. 💪
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    31 分
  • "Mental Strength, Team Spirit & the Golden Era of Serbian Water Polo" - Andrija Prlainović
    2025/10/25
    In this episode of WET – Waterpolo Expert Talk, host Andreas welcomes Andrija Prlainović, one of the greatest water polo players of his generation. A two-time Olympic champion, World and European champion, and long-time leader of the Serbian national team, Andrija reflects on the golden era of Serbian water polo and the mindset that fueled over a decade of dominance. He opens up about the mental and emotional side of elite competition — from handling Olympic pressure to building unity and trust within a world-class team. Andrija also looks back on his time alongside legendary teammates such as Filip Filipović and Duško Pijetlović, and shares memories of facing international rivals including Marc Politze, Marko Savić, and Hagen Stamm from Germany. Beyond the medals, Andrija discusses the importance of joy, creativity, and freedom in youth development and why great teams are built not just on talent — but on trust, balance, and shared purpose. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform. #Waterpolo #Olympics #AndrijaPrlainovic #WETPodcast #TeamSerbia #FilipFilipovic #DuskoPijetlovic #MarkPletzer #MarkoSavic #HagenStamm #Leadership #SportsPsychology #WaterpoloExpertTalk
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    32 分