NAC Masters: Getting to Know Charles McCullough

Getting to know Charles McCullough

Wedding Photo by Fiona Battersby

Q-Where are you from? How did you end up in Nashville?

Originally, I am from Greensboro, NC but have spent some time living in different parts of the country including New England and California.  My girlfriend, now wife, and I moved to Nashville during the pandemic as it was central to both of our families. Mine in NC and hers in Indiana.  We both are in entertainment, so it seemed like a good fit.  I have worked primarily at the intersection of tech and entertainment and I’m currently working on the next opportunity. 

Q-Tell us about your family? 

My wife, Marja, and I just married in November.  We had our ceremony and reception at the Noelle downtown.  She is a singer/actor currently on a Broadway touring company of Hamilton.

Q-What’s your athletic background?

I have always been athletic; I lettered in cross country and played basketball in high school. As I grew into my career, there was a challenge balancing athletics, work, family, and social life. I realized, a little later, that the physical/athletic component boosts all other aspects of life.  Recently, I took up triathlons. I felt it was a natural fit since I previously ran, I love the water, and because bikes?  HAHA!  I love the challenge of all three disciplines and then melding them together for one event.  There is nothing like it!

 Q-How did you find NAC? 

I found NAC during the pandemic when we relocated to Nashville. I was looking for a triathlon community and all the triathlon clubs mentioned the NAC Masters program and Ashley Whitney.  During the pandemic, membership was “on hold” however one day while swimming at Centennial I saw Ashley and introduced myself. She watched me swim—probably taking pity on my stroke (ha-ha)—and invited me to Masters.

 Q-What gets you to the pool in the morning?

Getting to the pool in the mornings is a process that starts the night before.  I usually go to bed fully intending on hitting the water at 6am.  If I don’t prepare the night before, it likely will not happen on a whim in the morning.  Also, I am consistently preparing for a race or a goal which keeps the commitment high and the discipline from waning.

 Q-How important is the team, Ashley, etc. to your training? 

Training with the team and having Ashley as my coach has vastly improved my overall swimming.  So many great swimmers in NAC always challenge me to continually improve. Also, all the athletes are very supportive and care about each other’s journey. We are quick to cheer all successes and offer support during challenging times. I think Masters athletes provide such a breadth of experience and everyone knows the journey is often more important than the destination. Ashley continually pushes us to reach our goals.  I am always amazed at the little nuggets of coaching that she imparts that motivate or inspire.  There are literally four or five bits of information Ashley shared that push me through a barrier and I can recall at precisely the right moment.  Ashley is a swimming prophet! 

 Q-What are your goals? In the pool and outside it? 

As far as my swim goals go, I have been really working on putting together all the technical pointers Ashley has provided.  So, I would say my 'in pool goals' are consistency with my freestyle stroke — applying strength and stamina to a well-crafted swim stroke. My ‘outside pool goals’ are to be happy and encourage others to find joy in the simplicity of life.

 Q-What else makes you tick besides training?

Music is a big passion, so I am easily found at a showcase, concert, record store, or in my own place engrossed in a songwriting project.  I am also a big family person.  My family if very close and we enjoy spending time together at home and abroad.

 Q-What’s something folks may be surprised to learn about you?

I lived in Turkey as a kid.  My father was in the military, so the first few years of my life were spent in the Middle East.  I think having an international perspective influence those formative early years helps me see so many similarities in cultures and people.

 Q-What haven’t I asked you?

Favorite movie - Pulp Fiction

Hogwarts House - Hufflepuff

Favorite Song - I Want You Back (Jackson 5) or If I Was Your Girlfriend (Prince)