Masters Topics, Athletes & Coaches Interviews Episodes

Are you too young to become master swimmer? Join us as we chat with the inspiring James Popronowski, a competitive swimmer who jumped straight from college swimming to masters swimming. James, with his masters gold medal in the 1500 freestyle long course and an unwavering commitment to maintaining his swimming routine post-college, offers compelling insights into the dedication and passion that fuels his success. This conversation takes us on a dive into James’s journey, from his childhood swim...

We're elated to introduce one of Team USA's Sports Psychologist, Dr Colleen Hacker, a certified mental performance consultant (CMPC), author, and professor. Dr. Hacker uncovers the keys to achieve excellence in sports and life. This enlightening conversation is rooted in her latest book, Achieving Excellence Mastering Mindset for Peak Performance in Sport and Life. How often do we consider confidence as a dynamic entity, especially for world champions? Dr Hacker challenges our underst...

Picture this: a couple who left their jobs to pursue a life of fitness and travel, are running marathons in every state, and faced life-threatening health challenges. Welcome to the extraordinary life of Tom and Deb Stokes. Join us for a heartwarming and inspiring episode as we delve into their journey of love, athleticism, and resilience. The Stokes share the importance of setting goals, the role their athletic backgrounds played in overcoming health challenges, and how they balanced life, fitn...

Ready for some Couples Mojo? Meet the dynamic duo of Dale and Dave LeClair, a married couple who have managed to blend their love for swimming and fitness into their relationship. This wasn't just a casual dip in the pool; we're talking about high-level mastery in the world of swimming. Listen in as they let us in on their journey, starting from shared shifts at a local swimming pool to competing fiercely in Masters Swimming. Their story doesn't stop there; they've braved long-distance triathlon...

Get ready to take notes as we sit down with Shirley Loftus, a 71-year-old swimming powerhouse who is smashing records and redefining the limits of age. She's not just keeping up with, but outpacing, her competition by a staggering three minutes in her age group - after recovering from a shoulder surgery. Shirley's secret? An intensive, well-rounded training regimen of six days a week, including working with a sprint coach and a mid-distance coach, and pairing up with a fellow distance swimmer fo...

What would it feel like to swim the fastest time in the country in the 200 Fly at age 60-64? Discover the exhilarating journey with Val Van Horn Pate, an exceptional swimmer who just achieved this remarkable feat. She spills the beans about her experience, her mindset, and strategies that led to this triumph. Feel the thrill as she recounts the ups and downs of her ride, offering an honest insight into the ecstasy of reaching the end goal. This episode takes a deep dive into Val's training sche...

Austin Williamson has found love as a fresh addition to the world of master swimming. Austin's story is anything but typical; at age 37, originally seeking to improve his swimming skills for competing in an Ironman event, he found himself diving headfirst into the world of competitive swimming. It was not just the thrill of the race that captivated him, but also the profound impact on his health, particularly his long-standing back problems. The techniques and strength developed through swimm...

Do sweaty palms and a racing heart ruin your performance on race day? Fear not, this episode of Champion's Mojo is here to turn your nervousness into a superpower. Kelly Palace, host and mental performance coach, shares five invaluable strategies to transform your race day mindset. From embracing your nerves to crushing the comparison monster, Kelly's advice is drawn from her coaching experience and interviews with confidence coaches, sports psychologists, and Olympians. You'll be reminded to s...

"It's all mental" says Irish Holland, elite masters swimmer. And when your mental performance crashes, sometimes we need a do-over. In this episode we meet Irish a 43-year-old champion swimmer from the North Carolina Masters. This episode unravels Irish's tale of bouncing back from a disappointing performance at the nationals by turning towards mental fortitude. She opens up about her struggle with negativity, the power of a supportive team, and the significance of her mental state in a...

We catch up with Masters Swimmer and Urologist Dr. Jason Szobota ( who swims for the Virginia Masters Swim Team and Coach Mark Kutz ) to get some on deck inspiration regarding how swimming helps our sexual health. You'll also learn some great tips on how to be a good parent of a young athlete, as Jason's son Nathan is one of the USA's top swimmers, but the Szobota parents' approach as swim parents might surprise you. How does a busy physician fit in his training? You'll get some ideas and insigh...

What if you are having trouble getting your heart rate high enough in practice to mimic a swim meet race and then feeling awful in the meet? This show covers the answer to a listeners email question that you might have as well. Masters Swim Coach and Host Kelly Palace, dives into the nitty-gritty details of heart rate monitoring and how you can get your heart rate up in practice to improve your tempo, power, heart rate.....and meet performance! Episode mentions: To calculate your maximum heart ...

What if swimming for your teammates could bring you more success than just doing it for yourself? Discover the power of teamwork in our conversation with Nancy Kryka, a multi-world record holding swimmer and member of the Sarasota Sharks Y Masters. Nancy shares her passion for relays, her experience swimming for Arizona State University, and how being a part of the Sarasota Sharks team has motivated her to achieve greater heights. Get ready to be inspired by Nancy's story, as she reveals her se...

Masters swimming legend Cav Cavanaugh, an 87-year-old world champion, has been making big waves in the pool for an incredible 80 years! Cav shares with us the secret to his success, which goes beyond just competing – it's all about the camaraderie and friendships he has built throughout his eight decades as a swimmer. Join us for this heartwarming conversation as Cav learns about breaking a 40-year-old record from his champion swimmer wife, Debbie. They have been supporting each other as a coup...

Today's guest lost 135 pounds after finally unlocking her own health mystery. Meet Sherry Bogue, a long time member of the St. Pete Masters and avid swimmer. In our conversation, Sherry opens up about her incredible journey, sharing the pivotal moment when she found a doctor who finally listened to her and became an essential part of her transformation. Join us as Sherry shares her insights on the power of determination, embracing a healthy lifestyle, and the unique and uplifting...

Get ready to elevate your swimming performance as we have a powerful conversation with Michael Dellanoce, a multiple-time All-American and all-star swimmer for North Carolina Masters. Michael shares his invaluable insights on approaching a long course swimming season and the key to achieving peak performance in master's meets. Listen in as we discuss Michael's training regimen, how he balances his swimming career with his work as a software engineer, and who inspires him in the pool. Plus, don'...

Imagine if, at 78 years old, you could still swim faster than most accomplished masters swimmers much younger than you are! That's the reality for our guest, David Quiggin, a member of the Palm Beach Masters, who has defied age and expectations in the world of swimming. Join us as this inspiring athlete shares of the secrets behind his impressive performances. David talks about the significance of having an exceptional coach, his coach Linda Irish Bostic and how this has contributed to his succ...

Can you imagine becoming a multiple national champion and world and national record holder in swimming while battling breast cancer and raising triplets, which were born to our guest as 41 year old full time attorney?! That's exactly what our guest, Karen Einsidler, has accomplished in her incredible journey. This 67 year old champion joins us as we dive into her inspiring story of resilience, love for the sport and indomitable spirit. These have helped her overcome numerous obstacles. Karen is ...

You'll gain inspiration from Champion Tara Mack's positive and adventurous mindset, as she tackles a new swimming challenge, her first-ever 200 Fly, with a lighthearted and determined approach, reminding us that sports should be enjoyed and approached with a "why not?" attitude. You are sure to get a kick out of the fact that Kelly caught Tara behind the blocks just moments before this big swim. T-Mack (Tara's nickname) emphasizes the importance of sticking to her race plan, focusing on techn...

Today's guest, Brodie Hynes, is flowmazing! He's an MIT graduate who studies hydrodynamics, is a coach and a national champion swimmer himself. Brodie shares insights and tips on swimming the 200 butterfly event, emphasizing the importance of not being afraid it and maintaining a smooth and flowy technique. You will also learn what throttling means, as Kelly and Maria did. He also discusses training strategies and some valuable sets to help anyone prepare to swim thi...

Discover the remarkable story of Diann Uustal, a 76-year-old multiple world record holder in masters swimming, as she shares her inspiring journey as she heads into major back and neck surgery this very week. Diann is a member of the Sarasota Sharks Masters Team and from breaking records in challenging events to swimming through constant pain, Diann's unwavering mindset and faith will leave you in awe. Hear her discuss her training schedule, overcoming obstacles, and setting new goals, includin...

Can the 200 Breast be made easier? National Champion Breaststroker Michael Aubrey of Palm Beach Masters thinks so! In this episode, he shares some of the best advice we've ever heard for swimming the 200 breast and more. Listeners will learn about Michael's daily practice routine, a combination of dry land and wet training, having the right coach, and seeking guidance from experienced individuals to achieve success in any activity. You will also discover the importance of little tips and techni...

Ready for some quick Champion's Mojo? 37-year old Sarah Swoch, a Masters swimmer for St. Pete Masters (since the age of 18) joins the show right before her 100 butterfly at YMCA Masters Nationals. Sarah shares her love for the Masters swimming community and her training routine, which includes swimming five to six times a week and rock climbing twice a week. She also talks about her career as an eighth-grade science teacher, the importance of promoting science education and how we can use sci...

Ready for some Mojo from Adam Ritter, a member of the Palm Beach Masters and a 37-year-old world record holder? We caught up with Adam on deck at the YMCA Masters Nationals, where he dominated with six gold medals in his first short course meet since before the COVID break. Discover the swimming strategies and energy management techniques that Adam uses as a multiple-time national champion and world record holder. Ritter shares his approach to racing, emphasizing the importance of managing his ...

Kelly and Maria dive into the question of whether swimming gets easier, and share their personal experiences and insights on overcoming challenges in the water. From breathing techniques to mindset shifts, learn practical tips to improve your swimming performance and make your time in the water more enjoyable. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced swimmer, this episode offers valuable wisdom and inspiration to help you enhance your swimming skills and dive deeper into your swim adventures...