Wednesday Jun 25, 2025

Michael Gunning: breaking barriers, smashing swimming stereotypes and bringing authenticity to the pool

Michael Gunning has done so much in his life after retirement that it’s almost easy to forget what an incredible athlete he was during his competitive swimming career.

A Team GB athlete who switched to represent Jamaica, Michael went on to become one of the country’s greatest-ever swimmers – and made history as the Caribbean’s first out gay male athlete.

Since then, Michael has made it his mission to help other people in sport feel comfortable as their authentic self, inspiring the likes of Daniel Jervis to open up about their sexuality and working with former Blackpool striker Jake Daniels to tell his ‘coming out’ story.

Combine that with Michael’s hosting work at events like Cardiff Pride and the British LGBT Awards, and you can see how committed Michael is to living his mantra of leaving every room brighter than it was when he entered it.

Not bad, when you think about it, for a man who was told that ‘black people can’t swim’ when he was growing up.

Michael is a brilliant guest to have with us today – as we chat about life after swimming, being a role model to folks in the queer and Black community, transitioning to life after swimming, the pressure that comes with using his platform and so much more!

And as always, a chat with Michael is an utterly authentic experience – funny, real, and nothing other than genuine – and we think you’re going to love it.

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