In this emotional and wide-ranging episode of the Waterpolo Expert Talk, I speak with Alex Bowen, Olympic medalist and key player of Team USA, about a year that completely changed his life — Olympic Games, an Olympic medal, a wedding, a move to Spain, and becoming a father. Alex describes this period as “truly positive crazy” — a perfect mix of pressure, happiness and life-changing moments.

We talk about the challenge of preparing for fatherhood while playing professional water polo in Europe, the difficult reality of being far away from his pregnant wife, and how communication, trust and emotional strength help survive that distance. Alex speaks openly about the unique emotional mix of excitement, responsibility and fear before becoming a parent.

A major part of the episode focuses on the Olympic Games journey with Team USA:
– The tough opening match against Italy
– The must-win games versus Romania and Montenegro
– Tactical adjustments on the six-on-five defense
– The dramatic quarterfinal against Australia
– The decisive penalty shootout that sent Team USA into the Olympic semifinals for the first time since 2008

The episode also covers the massive life changes within just six weeks:
– Winning an Olympic medal
– Returning home for the wedding
– Honeymoon in Mexico
– Immediately moving to Spain to start a new professional chapter

We go deep into Alex’s club move from France to Spain, joining CN Sabadell, adapting to the Spanish league, daily battles against clubs like CN Barceloneta, and how playing in Spain sharpened his game for international competitions.

Topics of this episode:
– Olympic pressure & knockout matches
– Penalty shootouts at the Olympics
– Winning under extreme mental stress
– Life changes after Olympic success
– Wedding, honeymoon & immediate club transfer
– Long-distance relationship during pregnancy
– Becoming a father as a professional athlete
– Moving from France to Spain
– Playing in the Spanish top division
– Balancing elite sport & personal life

This episode is a must-listen for athletes, coaches and families who want to understand how elite performance, personal happiness and major life changes collide at the highest level of international sport.

🔗 More about the podcast: https://www.schulzekopp.de