Swammer Spotlight: Brittany MacLean
Life after swimming can be a difficult thing to navigate, there are decades of passion and knowledge and experience that do not directly translate into the next stage of life.
Outside of ‘swim coach,’ there are very few other professional avenues where immense knowledge of swimming is handy. Another option is sports writing or commentating, but it takes a certain personality type to be able to get in front of the camera or behind a microphone and excel. Canadian Olympian and NCAA Champion Brittany MacLean is a bright light of personality that has made the transition from pool to pundit’s box with ease.
Coming off a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games, Brittany made the move into sports commentary for CBC where she has been able to cover swimming during the 2020 Tokyo Games and the 2023 World Championships. She will also be part of the CBC Broadcasting team later this summer at the Paris Olympic Games.
Interview:
At what age did you start swimming and what drew you to it initially?
I started swimming competitively at 7, mostly because of my older sister, Heather. She had been introduced to the competitive program at our club and I followed along shortly after.
As you grew up, why did you stick with swimming year in and year out?
I was lucky enough to have parents that truly let us find our own way, encouraging us to chase dreams but never push us with pressure towards any one thing. My sister and I tried as many sports as possible; hockey, soccer, gymnastics, baseball, softball, dance, running, golf, figure skating, volleyball, etc. Swimming was initially one of the top on the list for my parents as it’s an essential life skill, and I just happened to really enjoy it. I found success in it at an early age, which didn’t hurt. But I loved getting to see all of my friends every day, being a part of a team, and pushing myself towards goals. The Olympic dream started very early!
What are some of your favorite moments from your swimming career?
It’s so tough to narrow it down! I’d probably have to say winning my first NCAA title (2014) in the 500 freestyle or winning the team title in 2016. Both were about so much more than the performances in the moment, they represented the journey to get there and the power of being a part of something greater than yourself. The honor of getting to win 3 NCAA team titles at the University of Georgia is tough to be beat. Qualifying for the Olympics the first time was pretty remarkable; especially having my sister qualify for the team as well a few days later. That moment and those Olympic Trials were truly a dream come true.
What are your least favorite?
The Rio 2016 Games were a challenge for me. I had high expectations for myself to start off the meet with the 400 free; but I fell short of what I thought I was capable of. From the next day onward, I got really sick and each race was an uphill battle. I left with an Olympic medal in the relay, but it was a tough one for me to accept for a while. It’s such a tough pill to swallow when things are progressing for 4 years but may not all come together on the one day it matters. I know a lot of athletes can relate to that, and I know I’m one of the lucky ones to even be in the position I was in at those Games. But when looking back on my career, those Olympics were a challenge for me.
As you were looking to leave Canada and swim collegiately in the US, what drew you most to Georgia?
It sounds cliché but it really just felt right. I felt at home when I toured the campus and met the team. The coaches were interested in the person I wanted to become, and less about the athlete I currently was, and I really admired that. I loved the tradition of success, and the sense of belonging everyone seemed to have. The NCAA season was a priority, but so were the goals each athlete had internationally as well. I thought I would be in great hands, but I could have never imagined how lucky I would be 5 years later after my time at UGA.
How did you find yourself in sports media and broadcasting? Was that always the end goal?
I knew I wanted to work in sport in some capacity, but the media side kind of found me. Once I retired, I had a 5th year at Georgia where I tried a few things to see what might peak my interest; worked a little on deck and in office for the team, called a few races on SEC Network, and coached at the local YMCA. My first official job in media came when Windsor (Canada) was hosting the SC Worlds in December of 2016. FINA were looking for a few athletes from the host country to be involved in their coverage that were recently retired, so I jumped at that opportunity and did the Colour Commentary for my first broadcast! From there, I was able to work for them again at the LC World Championships in Budapest in the summer of 2017. Once I had a little experience, I started integrating within the coverage at CBC (the Olympic & Paralympic rightsholder in Canada) as an analyst. I worked for three years at the Canadian Olympic Committee in Athlete Marketing where I learned a lot of the fundamentals within the sport business landscape.
I continued to work with CBC for international events and major Games, including having the opportunity to be the prime-time Swimming analyst for Tokyo 2020.
In early 2023, I started a role full time at CBC Sports in Athlete & NSO Relations. With this position, I work daily with all of the athletes, sport organizations and agents, across Olympic & Paralympic sport in Canada. This work is definitely done “behind the scenes,” but has given me the chance to learn about the world of broadcast, digital, and written media. This also includes a lot more on camera opportunities; from color commentary, analysis, voice overs, interviews, social content, and event recaps.
I’m definitely still new to it but working at CBC has allowed me the opportunity to chase my potential both on and off the air.
How has your experience as a swimmer helped you in your current role?
So much! I think it all comes down to passion. I could talk forever about Olympic & Paralympic sport – and now I am working for an organization that revolves around sharing the stories and broadcasting the events. I have such an appreciation for the journey of each athlete. Although swimming is still my first love, I really enjoy getting the chance to learn the different intricacies of other sports. I love getting to be a voice for people that sometimes just need a chance and a platform to share their experiences. Having experienced life as an Olympic athlete myself, I think it brings a different sense of credibility in the work that I do, which I never take for granted.
I’ve had the privilege of success in the sport, but I was never a massive star by any means. So that perspective has really allowed me to see the importance of shining light on athletes in different ways.
Now that you’re behind the camera, do you find you miss competing?
Not at all, really. I do miss being a part of something so special – but I have the unique fortune to stay really connected to it all. I get to keep up with the athlete storylines, follow along with meets, watch the racing, remain their advocate internally, and so much more. I am such a swim fan through and through; it doesn’t matter the competition, if it’s available to me in Canada, I will be watching! My enthusiasm for the sport hasn’t gone anywhere. The little reminders that I never had to do a 10 km threshold workout in the pool again has definitely helped as well.
If you could give one piece of advice to a swimmer that is wrapping up their swimming career and getting set to enter the real world, what would it be?
I’m a big believer that sport has metaphorically brought me to a lot of doors, but it is up to me to walk through them. I would recommend you make the most of the connections you have, the people that you’ve met, and the lessons that only swimming can teach you. But, the grind continues. You have to be vulnerable, put yourself out there, and explore new passions. I think it’s a juxtaposition when you are in the top percentage in the WORLD in something and then you start at the very bottom in whatever you chase next. Once I started to accept that I had my whole life still ahead to pursue new challenges, it became a little less daunting. You don’t have to figure it all out right away. Take the work ethic that swimming instilled in you and run with it. Just like in swimming, you will fail quite a bit, but it makes the accomplishments that much sweeter.