Our Team
Eric Hudson - Owner & Founder
Eric has developed a system over the last 15+ years that has created some of the top swim athletes in the world. He has been in the fitness industry for almost 20 years, and his professional journey in fitness started in college where he majored in Exercise Science at Purdue University. Upon graduation, he worked as the head strength and conditioning coach of a club swim team near St. Louis. After spending three years on the pool deck as the dryland coach, he continued to work with high school swim athletes, while at the same time taking on new experiences that ranged from being the Personal Training Manager of a high-end fitness company, to working as the general manager and lead coach at several group training gyms. Through all of these experiences, his passion for working with and impacting competitive swimmers became more and more obvious to him. After three more years rounding out his knowledge of biomechanics and swim-specific performance training, he knew it was time to follow his heart and start focusing solely on dryland training. He felt the need for professionally designed swim-specific dryland training in the club swimming world, and wanted to create something that no other program could rival.
This is his passion and expertise, and with the sole focus being on SwimStrong Dryland, he continues to fine tune his skills and hunger to deliver the best world-class dryland program on the market. His 15+ years of swim-specific experience uniquely positions him to help athletes reach goals they once thought impossible. Each dream achieved has made him dream bigger, reach higher, and desire to perfect his craft for the sake of the athletes and their families. He believes that dryland training should focus on more than just the body to get consistent results—the mind and heart must be strengthened as well. This belief led him to further his education and he received his Master’s Degree in Sports Psychology from Capella University. Inspiring young athletes to be not only phenomenal in the water, but phenomenal in their homes, schools, and communities is his passion. He wants to see the next generation positively impact the world and redefine the word “impossible”.
Eric lives in Indiana, where he treasures spending time with his amazing wife and daughter. In addition to SwimStrong Dryland, he enjoys traveling, hiking, sports, working out, reading, watching great movies, and giving back to the community. He also enjoys spending time with close friends and family.
Credentials:
- Master of Science in Sport Psychology – Capella University
- Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science – Purdue University
- Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist – National Strength & Conditioning Association
- Functional Movement Systems (FMS)
- CrossFit Olympic Weightlifting
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (Resistance Training Blocks, Treadmill Interval Training, Indoor Rowing)
Bryan McPherson - Director of Program Research & Development
Bryan’s experience working with club, high school and collegiate swimmers is unparalleled, and he uses his wealth of knowledge and experience to continually transform SwimStrong Dryland into the premier swim-specific dryland program in the country. Bryan has been involved with the sport of swimming either as an athlete or a coach since he was 12 years old. He was a member of the club swim team in the St. Louis area where Eric Hudson began his swim-specific dryland coaching career. Upon high school graduation, Bryan earned a scholarship to swim at the Division 1 level. Graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Bryan began his strength coaching career with internships at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, University of Illinois, and DePaul University.
After graduating, Bryan went on to earn his Master’s degree at the University of Louisville. While attending Louisville, Bryan interned with their Sports Performance Department, where he worked as a strength coach with the Louisville Swim Team for two years. He had the privilege of working with multiple Olympic athletes while at Louisville. He then went on to become the strength coach for the swim team at Lindenwood University in the St. Louis Area. In his two years with Lindenwood, he coached numerous Division 2 NCAA All-Americans, including an NCAA Champion, and he helped lead the women’s team to a conference title. With all his hands-on experience, Bryan was able to combine his knowledge as a former swimmer with the scientific training principles that are required to make swimmers faster in the water and more resilient to injury. Bryan now works full time with SwimStrong Dryland, making it his sole focus and passion to deliver the best possible dryland programming for our swim athletes. Bryan believes that we should never stop learning and researching so that we can always be growing and improving. He also believes dryland training should challenge athletes to develop both physically and mentally so they can be the best swimmer and person possible.
Bryan lives in Oregon with his wife Renae. In addition to SwimStrong Dryland, he loves spending time with his wife, their dogs (Duncan, Echo, and Atlas) and their cat (Moo). He also enjoys training, bass guitar, and the great outdoors.
Credentials:
- Master of Science in Exercise Physiology – University of Louisville
- Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science – Eastern Illinois University
- Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist – National Strength & Conditioning Association
- Youth Fitness Specialist – International Youth Conditioning Association
Brittany Miller - Director of Nutrition Programming & Research
Brittany is a certified Sports Nutritionist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and Precision Nutrition. She also holds a Youth Nutrition Specialist certification through the International Youth Conditioning Association and is an Allied Health Professional through the American Sports and Performance Dietitians Association. She strives to bring the most up-to-date, science-supported, and relevant nutrition education to all SwimStrong Dryland athletes, coaches, and parents via outstanding content, virtual webinars/seminars, and personal support. She also coaches a select few athletes in a small group setting.
Brittany has spent years creating nutrition education that will change the way swim athletes perform. Brittany was a competitive athlete herself from ages 5 to 18. In college, she began to realize she had been missing a key component of athletic performance her whole life – nutrition. She started making changes on her own and wanted to know everything she could about the field in order to help young athletes avoid the pitfalls she fell into.
Brittany is confident that nutrient-dense foods are crucial for peak athletic performance and that every swimmer has the ability to unlock hidden potential through proper fueling. She has experienced first-hand how a healthy relationship with food is a key starting point. She believes that habits hold great power, and that it is never too late to start implementing great habits that stick. These great habits will have a huge return on investment for the competitive swimmer’s performance, health, and well-being. She couldn’t be more excited to help meet the nutrition needs of the SwimStrong Dryland athletes!
Brittany lives on the Northside of Indianapolis with her husband, son, daughter and puppy. In addition to health and wellness, she enjoys bargain hunting, DIY projects, and spending time with close friends and family.
Credentials:
- Bachelor of Science – Purdue University
- Precision Nutrition Level 1 – Certified Exercise Nutrition Coach
- National Academy of Sports Medicine – Certified Sports Nutrition Coach
- American Sports and Performance Dietitians Association – Allied Health Professional
- International Youth Conditioning Association – Certified Youth Nutrition Specialist
- Nutrition Consulting Business Owner (2016 – 2019)
Heather Little - Director of Business Growth & Development
Heather graduated from Purdue University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s in Business Management & from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2014 with a Master’s in Business Administration. Heather not only has over a decade of administrative & business growth experience, but a passion for health & fitness as well. Heather was a high school athlete who competed in both softball & cheerleading. She also went on to take part in two NPC bodybuilding competitions post-college.
As SwimStrong Dryland’s Director of Business Growth and Development, Heather assists the team with many administrative tasks, improving processes & functions, event planning and helping to grow the SwimStrong Dryland family. Heather’s work will allow the team to focus more on the foundation of SwimStrong Dryland — the success and enjoyment of our athletes.
Heather lives North of Indianapolis with her husband (Aaron), her two huskies (Kiba & Kaia) & her cat (Yoshi). She enjoys playing competitive darts, traveling & spending time with loved ones.
Logan Long - Club Programs & Leadership Specialist
Logan joins SwimStrong Dryland with a deep passion for athletic development and a proven background as a lifelong swimmer & swim coach. Logan works directly with our club teams to design & implement periodized dryland programs for all age groups to enhance performance and promote long-term athletic development in and out of the water. Beyond programming, he values the relationships built with coaches, believing that trust and collaboration are the foundation to help coaches and athletes become the best version of themselves, both in and out of the water. Logan also brings a wealth of leadership experience as he is passionate about developing and mentoring the next generation of swim athletes.
Logan started competitive swimming on a USA age group team in Central Illinois and upon graduation, continued to swim collegiately at a Division I program for four years. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science, Logan immediately got into coaching. Starting out in Kansas City as an assistant age group coach, then moving on to Wisconsin with experience as an assistant national team coach, head age group coach, and head coach. Logan has coached numerous swimmers who have achieved some of the highest levels of performance throughout his coaching career.
Logan is currently living in Southeastern Wisconsin with his wife Karleen. Outside of SwimStrong Dryland, he loves spending time with his wife, cheering on Chicago sports, reading, traveling, golf, and spending time at the gym.
His lifelong love for the sport of swimming, and the opportunities it has provided him, fuel his commitment to giving back to the sport and empowering the next generation of athletes to thrive.
Credentials:
- National Academy of Sports Medicine – Performance Enhancement Specialist
- American Council on Exercise – Certified Personal Trainer
- International Youth Conditioning Association – Certified Athlete Development Specialist
- American Swim Coaches Association – Level 3 Coach
- Bachelor of Science – Eastern Illinois University
Greg Tymon - Masters, High School & Club Support Lead
Greg brings a career’s wealth of knowledge and experience as a strength and conditioning coach to the SwimStrong Dryland team. As the Director of Masters and High School Programs, Greg is responsible for leading the growth, delivery, and support of our dryland program to high school swim teams and masters-aged athletes. Greg is also responsible for supporting our club teams at the highest level, ensuring they have a world-class experience. By focusing on relationship management and program development, Greg ensures athletes and coaches receive high-quality, developmentally specific training programs and resources.
Early in Greg’s career, he served as a dryland coach for several high school and club teams. Back when the idea of strength training for swimming was questioned by many, Greg was giving seminars to high school coaches on the importance of adding dryland training to their program. He developed training programs and provided swim instruction to both swim athletes and triathletes of all ages and abilities. Greg’s time coaching dryland training as early as 1995 and his vast experience at all levels continues to fuel his passion and enthusiasm to be part of the continued growth and success of SwimStrong Dryland.
Greg began his journey as a strength coach by receiving a BS in biology and a Masters in Exercise Science. After competing as a collegiate decathlete on the Track and Field team, he became a graduate assistant coach and then a part time coach and strength coach for the university’s Track team. He also served several years as a rehabilitation specialist, and then he followed his passion to be a strength coach full time and became a successful and passionate business owner. For 25 years, Greg owned several businesses applying his knowledge and experience to athletes of all levels.
Greg lives just north of Philadelphia with his wife and two kids. He enjoys all outdoor activity, especially mountain biking, dirt biking, and backpacking. The other member of his family is Ansel, the family’s Rhodesian Ridgeback, which joins Greg on his mountain bike rides.
Credentials:
- Masters of Education in Movement Studies and Exercise Science
- Bachelor of Science in Biology/Pre Med
- USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coach
- USA Triathlon Level 1 Coach
- Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist – National Strength & Conditioning Association
- CrossFit Coach
- 30+ years experience
Kaii Winkler - Chief Content Editor & Data Analyst
Kaii Winkler, who has been part of the SwimStrong Dryland Family since he was a young age group athlete, has been competing since the age of 6. He has many years of experience with content creation, video editing, and has a passion for high quality content that will leave an impact on athletes around the globe and benefit their swim/life journey.
Kaii is an Olympian, as he represented Germany at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. He is currently on the German National Team. He is a World Championship Qualifier and holds National Age Group Records in Germany as well.
Kaii is also a two-time USA National Junior Team member, a former World Junior Record holder, a three-time National Age Group Record holder, a three-time medalist at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships, a four-time National High School Record Holder (Two SCY, Two SCM), a 33-time FGC Record Holder, a 13-time SSDL Record Holder, a two-time Florida High School State Record Holder, and a four-time state champion. Kaii has also won the SSDL Athlete of the Year award three times in a row.
Kaii currently swims at NC State University, where he is making waves at the NCAA level and on the world stage.
Erika Pelaez - Director of Social Media
Erika Pelaez, who has been part of the SwimStrong Dryland family since she was a young age group athlete, has been a swimmer since the age of 5. Erika has a strong passion for what SwimStrong Dryland is doing for its athletes, and hopes to educate athletes worldwide about the program through our social media platforms.
Erika is a three-time USA National Junior team member, a four-time World Junior medalist, a two-time National High School record holder (SCM), a 57-time FGC record holder, a 13-time SSDL Record Holder, a five-time Florida High School State Record holder, and a 12-time Florida High-School State Champion. She was the youngest Olympic Trial Qualifier back in 2020 after qualifying for two events at the age of 13 (100 free, 100 back). She has also won two SSDL Athlete of the year awards.
Erika now swims at NC State University, where she has already set multiple school records and been an All-American multiple times.
Julie Mishler - Business Development Associate
Julie Mishler is from northern Indiana and has been part of the SwimStrong Dryland Family since early on in her high school career. She is passionate about reaching out to teams and athletes so they can be positively impacted, as she was, by the SwimStrong Dryland Program and Community. She has been swimming since she was 5 years old and spent 3 years training with the Fishers Area Swimming Tigers. Julie graduated in 2025 from Wawasee High School. She is passionate about swimming and always looking for ways to push herself and improve.
Julie is on the USA Junior National Team and represented Team USA at the 2025 Junior World Championships. She is a World Junior Record Holder with Team USA in the Women’s 4×100 Free Relay. She also qualified for the Olympic Trials in multiple events.
Julie broke the National High School Record in the 50 freestyle. She is an Indiana State Champion in both the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle and also holds the Indiana State Records in those events. On top of that, she’s a two-time Winter Junior National Champion in the 50 freestyle (short course) and a two-time Summer National Champion in the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke (long course).
Julie now competes for the University of Louisville, where she’s continuing to grow as an athlete and make her mark at both the collegiate and international levels.
Christen Shefchunas - Mental Skills & Confidence Coach
Coach Christen is a Professional Confidence Coach who works with Olympians, World Record holders and NCAA Champions.
She is former All American Swimmer at the University of Tennessee and she coached for 16 years, spending time as an assistant coach at Michigan State and SMU and Head Coach at the University of Miami.
During her time as a coach, Christen watched too many athletes miss out on their potential because of their lack of confidence. Realizing that there was a significant lack of resources for these athletes, Christen left her college coaching career and started Coach Christen, a business focused on helping athletes build their confidence and handle their pressure moments well.
She works one-on-one as a confidence coach with some of the best athletes in the world. In 2024, she had 7 clients qualify for the Paris Olympics bringing home 8 medals, including World Record holder, Gretchen Walsh. She is also a sought after speaker, speaking to teams, athletes and business leaders about building confidence and how to handle the “pressure to perform” moments.
Jill Oertle - Doctor of Physical Therapy Consultant
Credentials:
- Doctorate in Physical Therapy – Saint Louis University
- Master’s in Physical Therapy – Saint Louis University
- Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science – Saint Louis University
- 30+ years of experience in Physical Therapy
- 20+ years of experience working with swim athletes
Chuck Andrews - Wellness Program Coach
After 25+ years in the health and wellness industry, Coach Chuck has always focused on taking a proactive approach to helping people live their healthiest lives. Seeing firsthand how crucial mindset, intentional movement, and healthy habits are in preventing health issues, he believes now more than ever that helping people stay in peak form will have a far reaching impact in every area of life.
What makes Coach Chuck uniquely suited to support swim coaches and families is not just his deep understanding of the physical body, but his holistic view of wellness—one that considers the demands and emotional rollercoaster of the lives of competitive swimmers and their families. For nearly 25 years, he’s been dedicated to guiding thousands of individuals toward their fitness and wellness goals, and now he’s turning his passion towards giving swim coaches and families resources to best support their athletes, as they take better care of themselves.
Coach Chuck knows that It’s easy to lose track of your own health and well-being in the process of serving others. That’s why he’s passionate about coaching and inspiring habits that will help you maintain your energy, patience, and mental clarity. At SwimStrong Dryland, Coach Chuck’s goal is simple: to help you gain the strength, resilience, and peace of mind you need to be your athletes’ best supporter. By focusing on your own well-being, you’ll be setting both yourself and your athletes up for success—inside and outside of the pool.
Credentials:
- 25+ years as a Health and Wellness Professional
- Certified Personal Trainer
- Certified Life Coach
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Public Speaker
Christine Epsky - Executive Assistant
Christine graduated from Purdue University in 2014 and has over a decade of business and administrative experience. She was a competitive athlete from childhood through high school and has a love of all sports. She has a passion for fitness and personal well-being, and enjoys learning about new ways to improve physically and mentally. Christine’s high character and care for people led her to want to make an impact with SwimStrong Dryland. She is continually creating new systems and procedures to make the delivery of the SwimStrong Dryland Program extremely efficient and practical.
As the Executive Assistant for SwimStrong Dryland, Christine works closely with the SSDL staff to handle a number of valuable administrative tasks in order to free up the rest of the team to focus on each of their specialities. This allows the SwimStrong Dryland Program to continually grow, evolve and thrive in powerful ways that positively impact every team and athlete we work with.
Christine lives Northwest of Indianapolis with her husband, two sons, and golden retriever. In addition to SwimStrong Dryland, she enjoys cooking, visiting new places and hiking with her family.
Ben Suttmeier - Videographer
Ben’s love of filmmaking evolved from a love of travel and a desire to capture amazing locations in their best form. He’s lived in five countries and traveled to over forty. Since moving back to the US in 2021 and making the transition to working in video production full-time, he’s gone on to pursue other niches like sports and corporate videos.
Originally from New Jersey, Ben currently lives in Charlotte, NC. He frequently travels around the US and abroad for a variety of projects, aiming to make people feel meaningful emotions through video.
Josh Suttmeier - Videographer
Josh bought his first camera just before taking a 6 month backpacking trip across South America. Here he was able to learn more about photography and videography while capturing some of the world’s best views, and his interest in filmmaking and storytelling has only continued since then.
Josh currently lives in Charlotte, NC and works full time in video production. He has a passion for sports, and was an All-American at the University of South Carolina in track and field, throwing the javelin. Having the opportunity to now film sports really combines two of his biggest passions in life, and he loves being able to bring out the raw emotion that athletic competition breeds within his videos.