Olympians & Elite Athlete Interviews Episodes

Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Ryan Held sits down with host Kelly Palace in an on-deck interview at the Pegasus Masters meet in Dallas, Texas. Since retiring from professional swimming, Ryan has relocated to Prosper, Texas, stepped into the joys of fatherhood, and transitioned his relationship with the pool through Masters Swimming. What happens when you strip away the pressure of professional contracts, intense college training regimens, and the constant stress of making international teams...

Pro Swimmer, Author, Screenwriter, Becca Mann's journey redefines what it means to be a swimming prodigy who grows beyond the confines of early success. At just 10 years old, she completed the 15K Maui channel, becoming the youngest to do so. By her teens, she was a seven-time US National Team member and two-time national champion. But after narrowly missing Olympic qualification three times, Becca made the courageous decision to step away from competitive swimming altogether. What happened ...

A disqualification that turns into one of swimming's most viral moments. A champion brought to his knees in tears as officials strip away his victory. And a redemption exactly one year later that proves sometimes, the universe does give second chances. NC State NCAA All-American and ACC Champion in the mile (1650), Owen Lloyd's journey from heartbreak to triumph embodies everything we love about sports comebacks. After winning the mile at the ACC Championships during his senior year, Owen ex...

Today, we’re diving into a truly memorable interview with Olympic champion Katharine Berkoff. Recorded during NC State’s 50th-anniversary celebration of women’s swimming, this episode is a heartfelt exploration of Katharine’s journey, her reflections on being part of the Wolfpack, and her post-Olympic life. Berkoff won gold in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games as the preliminary backstroke lead off swimmer for Team USA and was also an individual bronze Medalist in the 100 meter backstroke. Ka...

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Stevenson, an Olympian (Greece) and world and national holder in Masters swimming, chemistry professor, and long-time volunteer for U.S. Masters Swimming. Chris opens up about his recent return to swimming after a long hiatus due to personal and professional challenges, including the loss of his parents and a demanding role as the Chemistry department chair at the University of Richmond. He discusses how he navigated his time away from the pool, including ...

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...

Imagine sharing the excitement of the 2024 Olympic Games with a loved one in their final days. That's what I'm doing with my 94-year-old father, and it's a journey filled with tears, laughter, and endless inspiration. That's why we've been on a break for a few weeks. Join me, Kelly Palace, as I celebrate these unforgettable moments and explore the insights from some of the most exceptional athletes and coaches we've had the privilege of hosting on Champion's Mojo. From Rowdy Gaines' bou...

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...

In just two minutes you'll hear some advice for when road blocks come up, from Olympic Icon Amanda Beard, and how to turn those into confidence. This is a micro-mojo flashback from Amanda's full interview, Episode #139 which can be found here: https://www.championsmojo.com/episodepage/amandabeard139 Amanda Beard is a decorated American swimmer who qualified for four consecutive Olympics from 1996 to 2008, earning a total of seven Olympic medals. She set a world record in the 200-...

Two powerful tips in two minutes of this micro-mojo on how to deal with pain in a race from World Champion, World Record Holder (200 scm Freestyle) and Olympian for Hong Kong, Siobhan Haughey. Siobhan is a citizen of Hong Kong and has represented Hong Kong in the Olympic Games. She is a double Olympic Silver Medalist in the 2020 Olympic Games, was the world champion in 2021 and set the world record in the women's 200 freestyle (scm). She swam in the NCAA while attending the University of Michig...

4 minutes of mojo from Olympic Champion Mary T. Meagher Plant who talks about how a big loss has haunted her in this flashback. She is a swimmer who broke the mold in how fast one can swim butterfly, earning her the nickname Madame Butterfly. She broke the world record five times and held it for 21 years -- 35 years after her top swim performances, her world record time would have still made all Olympic teams including 2008, 2012 and 2016. In the full interview, she shares advice for people who...

Barbara Hernandez, World Open Water Swimmer of the Year (2020) is known as the Ice Mermaid. She recently broke two world records in some of the world's most dangerous waters. From deadly ice water temperatures to poisonous creatures she has encountered in open waters, she shares how she manages to excel at ice and extreme open water swims. Discussing an event she finished without the use of her one leg after a Man-o-war jellyfish attack. Barbara also shares with us how she sets no limits on hers...

What this Olympic Champion and the majority of champions and Olympic Coaches say is the Key to Success: Cody Miller explains in this MOJO MINUTE flashback. Cody Miller is a professional American swimmer who won gold and bronze medals at the 2016 Olympic Games. He also has six World Championships medals, has set eight American records and had a stellar NCAA career at the University of Indiana. Here's the full interview: https://www.championsmojo.com/episodepage/codymiller41 Email us at HELLO@C...

Kelly and Maria break down 10 Lessons they take from Katie Ledecky's traits, actions, history and performances, and how we can use these in our everyday lives to be our best. Katie Ledecky is arguably the most prolific female champion in competitive swimming with seven Olympic gold medals and 19 world championship gold medals under her belt. What has gotten her to this point? She's a true champion in and out of the pool and this episode's 10 lessons will inspire you, e...

Emma Weyant loves training and racing difficult practices and events. Is it her secret weapon? 2020 Olympic Silver Medalist Emma Weyant joins the Champion's Mojo podcast to talk about her recent swimming reset, her love of hard training, her new training group and you'll also hear her thoughts on consistency, pre-race routines, who inspires her and the five words that describe her life! More About Emma: Emma is one of the top women in US swimming right now, hitting the 2020 Olympic Po...

Quick MOJO from Olympic Champion Aaron Peirsol on Evolving from Intensity Aaron Peirsol is a three-time Olympian and seven-time Olympic medalist -- and five of those medals are gold. Aaron has been retired from swimming for a decade, but still cares very much about the sport. He is involved with several great causes, including being an ambassador for the Global Water Foundation and the Surfrider Foundation. He is also a spokesman for Oceana, which is the largest international ocean conservat...

Olympic Champion Penny Oleksiak talks openly about mental health and how she suffers from anxiety on and off throughout her life. Enjoy this powerful quick MOJO on what Penny does when she has bouts of anxiety. LISTEN HERE to the full interview on Champion's Mojo podcast in episode #88 MORE ABOUT PENNY OLEKSIAK Canadian Olympic gold medalist Penny Oleksiak is the most decorated Olympian in Canadian history. She earned her spot on the Canadian Olympic team as a 15 year old who had only been swi...

Olympic Champion Nathan Adrian's quick MOJO will have you looking at the details of what you do on a daily basis. How can we maintain integrity? LISTEN HERE to the full interview on Champion's Mojo podcast in episode #118 MORE ABOUT NATHAN ADRIAN Earning five Olympic gold medals and 27 gold medals in international competition, Nathan is referred to by many as the swimming sprinting G.O.A.T. His heart stopping Olympic victory in the 100 meter free in 2012, by 1/100th of a ...

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...

We can all benefit from finding ways to fuel our heart and soul. Is surfing yours? Olympic Champion Michael Andrew talks about what he does to fuel his heart and soul outside of pool swimming. Can you guess? LISTEN HERE to the full interview on Champion's Mojo podcast in episode #118 MORE ABOUT MICHAEL ANDREW Michael Andrew is a 2020 Olympic Champion, Professional Swimmer and owner of the Michael Andrew Swimming Academy. He first gained notoriety for breaking numerous National Age Group Record...

Olympic Champion Ryan Murphy on how he's valued those that have come before him and what he gets from his role models. Who are your role models? Ryan Murphy is a three-time Olympic gold medalist and world-record holder in the men's 100-meter backstroke (long course). At the 2016 Summer Olympics, Murphy swept the backstroke events by winning gold in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke. Murphy also won gold in the 4×100-meter medley relay and his leadoff backs...

Control Your Mind, Olympian Natalie Hinds' 5-MIN FLASHBACK, Episode 155 This week, get your mojo from a champion in 5 minutes or less! Enjoy this powerful MOJO from Olympian Natalie Hinds on how to control your mind! Hinds made her first Olympic team in 2020, earning a bronze medal, and says it was her new mindset that paved the way. LISTEN HERE to the full interview on Champion's Mojo podcast in episode #122 https://www.championsmojo.com/episodepage/nataliehinds122 Email us at...

In this week's 5-MINUTE FLASHBACK Olympic Champion Swimmer Lilly King exhibits her excellent sense of humor and talks about how she and training partner Cody Miller use distraction to get through tough swims. Give yourself a smile by listening. King will be competing in the 2022 World Swimming Championships in Budapest, Hungary June 18-24th with a chance to win all three breaststroke events. This flashback is from episode 87, Training Partner Power with Lilly King and Cod...

This week, get your mojo from a champion in 5 minutes or less! Enjoy this powerful MOJO from Olympic Swimming Champion, Cullen Jones! What do sports teach us? LISTEN HERE to the full interview on Champion's Mojo podcast in episode 85, Cullen Jones: Breaking Barriers. https://www.championsmojo.com/episodepage/cullenjones85 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...