Masters Topics, Athletes & Coaches Interviews Episodes

THIS EPISODE WON A 2023 VEGA DIGITAL GOLD AWARD BEST SINGLE PODCAST SPORTS. 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...

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...

THIS EPISODE WON THE 2022 COMMUNICATOR AWARD OF DISTINCTION BEST INTERVIEW FOR CAUSES AND AWARENESS.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...

THIS EPISODE WON TWO 2022 W3 AWARDS SILVER HONORS FOR BEST INTERVIEW AND BEST PODCAST HOSTS. 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 ...

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, ...

Find out about Kelly's new best selling book on this show. Leading yourself and others successfully takes authenticity, grit, and intent coupled with action. Champion’s Mojo host Kelly Palace shares 10 actionable tips in her book Take Your Mark, LEAD! 10 Ways to Lead Yourself and Others Like a Champion, which is now available in print, ebook and on audiobook. In this episode, she and co-host Maria Parker talk about the motivation behind the book, the champion interviews inside it and the ma...

Do you have stinkin’ thinkin’? Better known as cognitive distortions, these 10 thought approaches can sabotage your mental health, relationships and success. They are based on the ground breaking work of Dr. Aaron T. Beck. Kelly and Maria share ways to recognize these behaviors and redirect them for good. 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. 10 Cognitive D...

Injury and illness happen to everyone, particularly athletes who train consistently, year after year. How can you make the most of the time needed to heal -- both physically and emotionally? Life and health coaches Kelly and Maria share tips for coming back from injury and illness that will improve your resiliency, outlook and comeback. Sign up for your free consultation on health, leadership and life coaching with Kelly or Maria at ChampionsMojo.com/cm-coaching. Techniques for Healing Set asi...

How can you form the mental fortitude to overcome pain, discomfort and deprivation in order to meet your goals? Elite endurance cyclist Lael Wilcox joins the podcast to talk with Kelly and Maria about how she adapts to natural elements, criticism and her own inner voice to triumph at some of the world’s toughest endurance bicycle races. Have something to share with the hosts? Email it to hello@championsmojo.com. MORE ABOUT LAEL WILCOX In 2016, Lael Wilcox was the first woman and first American...

THIS EPISODE WON A 2020 W3 AWARDS SILVER HONORS FOR BEST INTERVIEW. Endurance cyclist Jeffrey Ritter had to take small steps and set big goals to reach full recovery from a broken neck. He talks with Kelly and Maria about finding inspiration within to conquer each moment and how to “embrace the day.” Contact Kelly and Maria at hello@championsmojo.com. MORE ABOUT JEFFREY RITTER Jeffrey Ritter is a world champion cyclist who made a full recovery from a broken neck and other injuries he su...