# Julian Koch on the Transfer Portal, 20lbs of Muscle, and Finding a New Home| Episode 296

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/social-kick-swim-culture-stories-462617/julian-koch-on-the-transfer-portal-20lbs-of-muscle-and-finding-a-new-home-episode-296
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/social-kick-swim-culture-stories-462617/julian-koch-on-the-transfer-portal-20lbs-of-muscle-and-finding-a-new-home-episode-296.md
Podcast: [Social Kick • Swim Culture & Stories](https://stenobird.com/podcast/social-kick-swim-culture-stories-462617)
Published: 2026-05-08T16:02:00+00:00
Episode link: https://thesocialkick.podbean.com/e/julian-koch-on-the-transfer-portal-20lbs-of-muscle-and-finding-a-new-home-episode-296/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/4yhme2pkkegwncfp/E296_Julian_Koch.mp3
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Duration seconds: 3616

## Resource

In this episode of Social Kick, Bryan and the crew sit down with one of the hottest "free agents" in NCAA swimming: Julian Koch. After an explosive sophomore season at Pitt that saw him jump from a non-qualifier to a top seed in the 100 Freestyle A-Final, Julian has officially entered the transfer portal. Julian breaks down the "overwhelming" 48 hours after his name hit the portal, his recent visits to powerhouses like Texas, Florida, and Tennessee, and the 20-pound muscle transformation that fueled his 40.4 100 Freestyle. We also dive into his international background—growing up in Dubai, Paris, and Qatar—and why he represents Germany on the international stage. Whether it’s discussing NIL value, his newfound obsession with Hacky Sack, or the 800 IM "worst set ever" from his club days, Julian provides a raw and insightful look at the life of a modern elite collegiate swimmer.

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## Transcript

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