Masters Topics, Athletes & Coaches Interviews Episodes

Today’s guest believes that goal-setting is a part of what led to her success. Hear the path this Olympic Champion took to now Masters Swimmer. In honor of the this summer's 50th anniversary of when she brought home three Olympic golds, today we are joined by Melissa Belote Ripley. Melissa represented the USA at the 1972 Summer Olympics at the age of 15. She was the Olympic champion in the 100 and 200-meter backstroke and was part of the 4x100 medley relays, setting world records in these events...

Today we have an amazing interview with a man whose life reads like a best selling novel. Our enchanting guest served as a Judge for over 50 years, the longest running judgeship in Florida history, presiding over mostly criminal cases. He was instrumental in starting US Masters Swimming, and he is credited with overcoming much of the early resistance to Masters swimming within the swimming community. He has a swim meet named after him that has been running for 51 consecutive years, the longest i...

In honor of the Month of July being US Masters Swimming's Try Masters Swimming promotion, Champion's Mojo Co-hosts Kelly Palace and Maria Parker debunk 10 common myths about Masters Swimming that may be holding you back. If you've ever fancied the idea of joining an adult swim team, swimming for fitness in a group, or just learning more about Masters Swimming, this show is for you! Maria is a brand new masters swimmer and Kelly is one with 30 years of experience, so it's the perfe...

Can you and should you push past that pain threshold in practice? Should you eat before training? In today’s episode, we speak with Susan Ingraham, Head Coach of Masters of South Texas, a large and successful swim team with over 160 swimmers and the winners of many different prestigious coaching awards. Susan is also a successful competitive swimmer, with various competition podium finishes under her belt. In this informative discussion, we find out about Susan’s professional background, why she...

There's never been a faster 50-year-old woman swimmer than Erika Braun. Learn her secrets to being so fast and much more. In today’s show, we speak with Erika, who holds 18 FINA Masters Swimming world records and swims for the North Carolina Masters . We check in with Erika on her 10 year anniversary of the amazing feat of making USA Olympic Trial standards as a 40 year old. This tough champion has continued her world bests for the last decade. She balances a full time job with training...

There are many myths about whether Dan Lotano truly did not swim before he quickly broke into the national and world rankings as a 35 year old first time competitive Masters swimmer. Get ready to hear the inspiring truth about an athlete that ended up under the lane rope in his first race in 2016 and was world number 1 in multiple events in 2021. Ever think you are too old or busy to start something? Then this episode is for you! Although Dan has an athletic background, he only really started s...

Mute until she was 6 years old, World Champion Masters swimmer, coach, and “mountain mermaid”, Eney Jones learned the power of observation. She joins Kelly and Maria to discuss how she approaches her own masters swimming and coaching with courage -- and why observation is such a key component of her success, both in and out of the water. How do you overcome fear and pain to grow as an athlete and person? This episode will give you inspiration to do just that. Catch up on EVERY episode at Champi...

Marc Middleton, best selling author, world record setting masters swimmer and founder of Growing Bolder media, believes that how we age is most affected by our mindset. If we don't buy into the negative image around aging we can achieve anything we set our minds to. Marc is on a mission to change the way society views the aging process through his media company, Growing Bolder. Marc joins Kelly and Maria to talk about his passion for changing conversations about aging in America and how he becam...

How do you build a successful masters swim team? World Class Masters Swimmer and Coach, Rick Walker says that difficult swim practices motivate his team, the renowned Sarasota Sharks, to work harder and that a spirit of camaraderie keeps morale high. Rick joins the show to talk about how he started the Sarasota Sharks Masters Team, his coaching and swimming successes -- and shares tips for others who aspire to do the same . Catch up on EVERY episode at ChampionsMojo.com. MORE ABOUT RICK WALK...

Why do we rarely hear the words adult and athlete used together? What is a masters athlete? Generally, we think of being an athlete for the young or being a masters athlete for the elite. But Kelly and Maria talk about their own mindset when it comes to being adult athletes, masters athletes and how keeping it fun and/or competitive is your choice. Whether you are a weekend warrior exerciser who wants to get back into being an athlete, or already an elite masters athlete—this episode of the Cham...

Kelly Palace and Maria Parker share their favorite moments from their interview with Kurt Dickson, including what pieces of wisdom they'll incorporate in their own lives. Kelly Give yourself permission to say “this makes me feel alive and gives me meaning.” Keep what is important in perspective to deal with performance anxiety. Even if your body changes, you can enjoy movement and activities. Maria Consistency can remain, even if your schedule is always changing. Make time, somewhere, to f...

95-Time Masters National Champion and Marathon Swimming Triple Crown finisher makes time for the things he love – even when his schedule is inconsistent. Emergency room physician Kurt Dickson says that he prioritizes swimming workouts, even if the time of day or length varies by the day. He talks with Kelly and Maria about how difficult experiences in the past few years drove him to his strongest swimming performances and how he is able to put performance anxiety into perspective. Sign up for ...

Kelly Palace and Maria Parker share their favorite moments from their interview with Amanda Coker, including what pieces of wisdom they'll incorporate in their own lives. Tune into the entire episode with Amanda Coker at ChampionsMojo.com. Email us at HELLO@ChampionsMojo.com. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns. You can learn more about the Host and Founder of Champions Mojo at www.KellyPalace.com

What would motivate you to ride more than 200 miles per day on a bike for a year? For ultracyclist Amanda Coker, it was to heal from a traumatic injury, to inspire others and to prove the naysayers wrong. She shares her story with Kelly and Maria of biking 86,573 miles in 365 days, and how bullies in childhood and during her record-setting year fueled her to rise to the challenges. Sign up for your free consultation on health, leadership and life coaching with Kelly or Maria at Champion...

Not every physical activity is a fit for every person. The key to staying active as you age is finding something you love to do -- and record-holding masters swimmer Amy Rieger is proof. She joins the show to talk about her swimming routine, the role social interaction plays in her motivation and why she won’t swim without a coach. Sign up for your free consultation on health, leadership and life coaching with Kelly or Maria at ChampionsMojo.com/cm-coaching. Catch up on EVERY episode at Champ...

Were you raised to believe that saying “no” was impolite? Do you say “yes” to please the person asking before carefully considering your own needs and boundaries? Saying “no” can feel rude and difficult -- but there are advantages to saying it, and Kelly and Maria share the why, what and how of saying “no” without guilt. Sign up for your free consultation on health, leadership and life coaching with Kelly or Maria at ChampionsMojo.com/cm-coaching. Catch up on EVERY episode at ChampionsMojo.co...

How do you return to what you love to do after many years off -- and do it well? Olympian and All-American Masters swimmer Benjamin Lo-Pinto joins the show to share his philosophies on returning to athletics in his 40s, raising a family and helping others. He loves Masters Swimming! Benjamin Lo-Pinto was born in Victoria, Seychelles and swam for the Seychelles National Team from 1993 - 2002, represented the Seychelles in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and carried the flag in the opening ceremony.&n...

Are you tapping all of the benefits of confidence? Research shows self-confidence is linked to almost every element involved in a happy and fulfilling life -- including less fear and anxiety, greater motivation, more resilience, improved relationships and living a more authentic life. So, what tangible steps can you take to own your confidence? Kelly and Maria share their real-life examples of confidence in action and how others can do the same. Sign up for your free consultation on hea...

Are you surrounding yourself with the right tools to bring out your best, champion self? Life and leadership coaches Kelly Palace and Maria Parker share six ways you can improve your chances for success, including examples from their own lives. Sign up for your free consultation on health, leadership and life coaching with Kelly or Maria at ChampionsMojo.com/cm-coaching. Catch up on EVERY episode at ChampionsMojo.com. 6 Ways to Create an Environment that Brings Out the Champion in You Contro...

Are you grateful for the gift of health? Liver transplant recipient and endurance swimmer Jillian Best joins the show to talk about how a hereditary disease, and near death, continues to inspire her to greater heights today. She talks about the importance of organ donation and how she stays motivated to reach all of her goals. Sign up for your free consultation on health, leadership and life coaching with Kelly or Maria at ChampionsMojo.com/cm-coaching. Catch up on EVERY episode at Cham...

Swimming in open water during a date, Rachael Lilienthal felt something brush across her back. At first she thought it was a kayak. Then she realized it was a huge alligator. Hear what ensues from that point on during this amazing interview. Did an angel save her life? Could Rachael relearn everything in her life after losing a limb? Could she do it with a positive attitude? Alligator-attack survivor and Masters swimmer Rachael Lilienthal joins the show to share the details of her attack, her r...

Can you be afraid and confident at the same time? Confidence Coach Christen Shefchunas believes that you cannot reach a confident point without first facing your fears. She joins the show to talk to Kelly and Maria about how she coaches female athletes, and other clients, to confident outcomes. Sign up for your free consultation on health, leadership and life coaching with Kelly or Maria at ChampionsMojo.com/cm-coaching. Catch up on EVERY episode at ChampionsMojo.com. MORE ABOUT CHRISTEN SHEFC...

How do you push past discomfort to meet your goals? Guinness Book World Record Holder Budimir “Buda” Šobat joins the show to talk about his record time of free diving for 24 minutes and 33 seconds -- and how his daughter and her medical issues inspire him. Sign up for your free consultation on health, leadership and life coaching with Kelly or Maria at ChampionsMojo.com/cm-coaching. Catch up on EVERY episode at ChampionsMojo.com. MORE ABOUT BUDIMIR BUDA ŠOBAT Budimir Buda Šobat is a Guinness ...

How does a person face, and overcome, their worst fears? How can you face your own stories about yourself -- and change them for the better? Peak performance coach Brian Bergford faced a lifelong fear of having his head submerged in water at the age of 30, when he decided to confront it. Today he is a record-setting Masters swimmer and he joins the show to share his journey with Kelly and Maria -- along with tips for listeners on confronting fears. Sign up for your free consultation on health, ...