Masters Topics, Athletes & Coaches Interviews Episodes

Could a pediatric surgeon's sage advice revolutionize your swimming performance? Join us for a captivating episode of Champion's Mojo, where we sit poolside with Dr. Peter Yu at the US Masters Long Course Nationals in Mission Viejo, CA. As both a skilled surgeon and masters swimmer for Novaquatics Masters (NOVA), Dr. Yu offers a treasure trove of insights into the latest trends he sees in Olympic and master swimming. Discover the critical role of dry land training, the surprising benefits of...

Can a former US Olympian and Stanford University Star rediscover the joy of swimming decades after his peak? A member of the Santa Barbara Masters, meet Dave Sims, who not only embraced the sport again in his 40s but also shattered national records along the way since returning to the sport two decades ago. In this fun on-deck edition of Champions Mojo, we chat with Dave about his journey from the 1980 Olympic team to becoming a masters swimmer. Hear how Dave made the remarkable transition from...

What if you could shatter world records while excelling as a top pediatric surgeon? Join us for a compelling conversation with Ellen Reynolds, a master swimmer extraordinaire and recently retired pediatric surgeon, who has done just that. Ellen who hails from Boise, Idaho, opens up about her journey from learning to swim at age three to setting 20 national and/or world records this year alone. We explore her groundbreaking medical career, including her innovative work with pectus excavatum patie...

Do you compete against your spouse, best friend, roommate, sibling? Ever wondered how to keep the competitive spirit alive without straining your closest relationships? Tune in to this week’s episode of Champions Mojo, where I, Kelly Palace, share five tips that will revolutionize how you compete against or alongside your loved ones. Drawing from my own experiences with my competitions with my husband Mark, who is also a competitive swimmer, I discuss how gratitude, focusing on personal mileston...

Do you love your fins or paddles? Ever wondered how a Masters swimmer in his late 50s keeps up in the fastest lane with the "young guns"? Tune in to our conversation with Bill Winters, who shares his journey from collegiate competitor at Auburn to a dedicated member of SwimRVA Hammerhead Masters Coached by Jay Peluso. Bill opens up about the importance of swimming for longevity and health, even humorously admitting his struggles with maintaining a perfect diet. We also get insight into his creat...

The Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming includes: 1) Swim Around Manhattan--28.5 Miles 2) Catalina Island Swim--21 Miles 3) English Channel Swim--21+ After surviving Breast Cancer at age 50 Erika Beauchamp decided to attempt the Triple Crown of open water. She has completed the first of three legs to earn this crown. We chat with her about her motivation, training and plans. If you've ever thought about this goal, this show is for you, or if you just want to be inspired! Email us at HELLO@...

As we celebrate a landmark 250 episodes of Champions Mojo, I'm thrilled to bring you an intimate conversation with a figure who has not just coached me, but also shaped the destinies of countless swimmers—legendary Nations Capital coach John Flanagan. Reconnecting with John, who has spent over five decades mentoring swimmers from the grassroot levels to the elite masters, we unearth the profound impact he has had on the sport and on the lives he's touched. His life, rich with wisdom, weave a ...

Embark on an exciting journey with Zena Courtney, a master swimmer whose prowess extends far beyond her strokes in the pool. In a rare road trip among two great friends, we catch the afterglow of a spectacular showdown between Katie Ledecky and Summer Macintosh, through the eyes of a swimmer who knows the thrill and discipline of the sport inside out. Zena opens up about her transition into a new competitive age group, her strategic weight loss, and how she masterfully merges rigorous USA swimmi...

Remember that feeling of triumph when you touched the pool wall first during those childhood swim meets? We tap into that exuberant spirit with Brian Robbins, the founder and driving force behind Grown-Up Swimming, in an episode that will open your eyes to a new option for fun and competition for adult swimmers everywhere. You'll get the scoop on Grown-Up Swimming's new partnership with US Masters Swimming and their exciting plans for expansion! We explore the Grownup Swimming League's mission ...

THIS EPISODE WON A 2024 VEGA DIGITAL GOLD AWARD BEST SINGLE PODCAST INTERVIEW. What is an aquatic activist? What Hasna Muhammad is doing to encourage the hugely under represented Black Women Swimmers? Then dive headfirst into an episode that promises to saturate your spirit with inspiration and courage as we're joined by the extraordinary Hasna Muhammad. Besides being a passionate masters swimmer, Hasna is a visual artist, writer, and educator whose work focuses on family, social justice, educat...

Listeners asked for the sprinter round questions from the Champion's Mojo Co-Hosts! So here it is... Ever been grilled about your quirkiest preferences or the simple choices that tell a story about who you are? Kelly Palace and Maria Parker are here to share their own, baring their souls over favorite sandwiches, ideal celebrity encounters, and the trivial yet telling dilemmas we all face – like the eternal battle between window and aisle seats. As we navigate through a smorgasbord of Sprinte...

Ready to kick start your 2024 with a dose of motivation and inspiration? Join us, your hosts Kelly Palace and Maria Parker as we take a trip down the memory lane, revisiting our top 10 favorite shows of 2023. We unwrap a treasure trove of insights from a wide range of incredible guests. #10 Name: Clyde Akbar Background: Masters Swimmer Started swimming at 60, challenging himself with new things all the time. Episode: 196 #9 Name: Lindsay Price Background: SpaceX recovery pilot. Episode: 195 #8 ...

Hear the details of how Kelly Palace broke six national records, in six different events within a six-week span. Maria interviews Kelly who shares the challenges she faced, the 10 specific things she attributes these records to. You'll hear about her transformative experience of altering her swimming technique at age 62 helped pave the path to success. She gives credit to the "village" of Swim Coaches that have helped her including BJ Graham, Mitzi Kremer, Mark Kutz, Jay Peluso, Johnathan Kapla...

Get ready for an uplift as we share an inspiring chat with the marvelous Joan Campbell, founder of the Florida Aquatic Combined Team (FACT). A competitive swimmer who started making waves at the age of 59, Joan is now 93 and a true testament to the power of vitality and determination. You'll hear about her incredible journey of not just taking up competitive swimming late in life, but also achieving top ranks worldwide. Learn about her rigorous training routine which includes swimming multiple t...

Bill Weaver from North Carolina Master Swimming has swum at the highest levels of the sport. And while most elite swimmers don't care to put themselves on the line in competition very often Bill has embraced it. Bill, with his infectious passion for the swimming, discusses his triumphant return to swimming post-COVID and how it's become more than just a pastime for him. His arduous five-day-a-week training routine and anticipation for the upcoming meets truly exemplify his commitment. Bill trai...

When 56 year old Karen Torres, who had not swum a meet in 34 years, was invited to join a relay that was aiming to break a world record she hesitated at first. But then Karen committed to the 5 weeks of training before the event and was up for the challenge. Hear her story, from the nerve-racking return to the triumph, and how she navigated from pace training to anaerobic swimming, finding her stride once again in the water. This episode is more than just a tale about breaking records. It's abo...

Have you ever wondered how to maximize your performance at a swim meet? Join us as we catch up with the renowned master swim coach, Scott Bay, at the 15th annual Rowdy Gaines. Scott, the 2016's US Master Swimming Coach of the Year, hands out invaluable advice on how to approach a swim meet effectively - from a warmup routine that tunes your brain with your body, to adjusting your intensity and mentally preparing for every aspect of your race. Drawing from his vast experience, Scott illustrates ...

55-year-old Masters All-American, Deborah Dawson discusses her unique training schedule, Deborah spills the secrets of her impressive speed and endurance in swimming. Her mantra of feeling good, sleeping well, and eating healthy forms a vital part of her preparation, but it's her training regimes that truly steal the spotlight. From race stuff practices to maintaining a thriving threshold while swimming, Deborah unveils the factors that make her a force to be reckoned with in the water. She can...

Dawson Hughes, the CEO of US Masters Swimming (USMS), started swimming when he was just eight, and now he stands at the helm of an organization that's making waves in the world of adult swimming. Listen as he shares his journey, his goals for the future, and some exciting initiatives on the horizon for USMS. In our chat, we dive into the heart of US Masters Swimming's mission - expanding the adult swimming community to a broad range of people. We shed light on the challenges of making the sport...

Meet Trinity and BJ Graham, co-founders of the Swim Melbourne Masters team. This inspiring duo built a now dominant team from a group of 19 swimmers into a thriving team of over 150. Assistant Masters Coach Mike Mirda was also instrumental is helping build the team. Besides planning and execution you'll hear some behind the scenes best practices and how the team just came off winning the 15th Annual Rowdy Gaines Masters Classic by over 2000 points. They also reveal the secret behind - the “Mahi...

Have you ever wondered what can ignite a flame to rekindle a long-lost passion? Discover the answer as we engage in an energizing conversation with the inspiring James Lucere, a 67-year-old who recently dove back into his first swim meet after a staggering 48-year hiatus! Listen in as James shares about his journey back to the pool, his unexpected catalyst, and the refreshing perspective he holds on what it means to be a swimmer irrespective of age. Get ready to be enlightened by James' candid ...

Prepare to be inspired by our compelling chat with the unstoppable Denise Letendre, an accomplished US Masters All-American, who not only holds multiple records with her LMSC, but has also made waves in the world of law. As a lifelong swimmer, Denise's journey from a Division One swimmer to a Masters swimmer is nothing short of inspiring, revealing how she used her discipline in swimming to manage her time, push through tough cases, and achieve success in her law career. Her advice to college sw...

Imagine finding a treasure chest brimming with secrets to refine your swimming technique and endurance. Well, we’ve got something better than that - a chat with the Technique Genius, Paul Newsome, the founder of SwimSmooth and the pioneer of that transformational swimming program. We journey from his successful English Channel swim to understanding the mantra that keeps swimmers focused in the water, "bubble, bubble breathe." You'll hear how Paul helped Kelly drop major time. Dive into Paul’s p...

We're poolside with the extraordinary Penny Noyes, a woman who epitomizes the phrase 'age is just a number'. The 69-year-old swimming legend, with nine world records and 14 national records to her name, shares insights into her phenomenal career and her secret to maintaining athletic excellence despite personal health challenges and a string of injuries. We dive deep into Penny’s rigorous training routine, which intriguingly involves training with a USA swim club team, consisting of 14...