Olympians & Elite Athlete Interviews Episodes

The responsibility of success is to ensure others have opportunities, too. Olympic gold medal swimmer Cullen Jones talks to Maria and Kelly about his competitive drive as an athlete and the organizations he is part of that strive to improve representation in sports. Tune in to this exclusive interview. Have something to share with the hosts? Email it to hello@championsmojo.com. MORE ABOUT CULLEN JONES Cullen Jones is a two-time Olympian, competing in 2008 and 2012. He’s earned Olympic gold med...

Understanding the importance of long-term planning -- and being the absolute best version of yourself on the path to future success -- takes patience, hard work and appreciation for the support team in your life. In this exclusive interview with Kelly and Maria, world champion swimmer Michael Chadwick shares several examples of how pairing patience with persistence has paid off. MORE ABOUT MICHAEL CHADWICK Michael Chadwick is a world champion and an American sprint freestyle swimmer who is curr...

Olympic medalist and professional swimming general manager Kaitlin Sandeno approaches challenges with a mindset that they are minor -- and that in order to find your true path in life, you have to face your doubts and fears head-on. In this exclusive interview with Kelly and Maria, Kaitlin shares about her decision to brighten the lives of children with cancer and the positive character traits she’s developed as an athlete. MORE ABOUT KAITLIN SANDENO Kaitlin Sandeno is an Olympic gold medalist,...

Taking the time to listen to your inner voice can lead you to the best, most authentic decisions. Olympic swimmer Kara Lynn Joyce talks about how she avoids a “people pleasing” mentality to truly follow her heart. Masters Swimmers will love this! Kara Lynn Joyce is a three-time USA Olympic swimmer. Kara competed in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics for Team USA, winning a total of four medals. As a swimmer for the University of Georgia under Coach Jack Bauerle, Joyce won 18 NCAA titles and set...

Trailblazing swim coach Teri McKeever has earned an astonishing number of achievements as a Head Coach of the U.S. Olympic Team and collegiately at the University of California, Berkeley, including an unprecedented 11 years in a row of top three finishes at the NCAAs. She says that recognizing strengths and working hard to maximize them is a path to success. She also advises her swimmers to be creative in how they train and perform in order to reach their goals. Listen in as she shares these and...

Staying focused on the task at hand -- and not allowing the big picture to overwhelm you -- is one of the keys to Olympian Josh Prenot’s success. In this exclusive interview, Josh talks about his life as a professional swimmer and the advice he would give to others to get a champion’s mindset. Contact Kelly and Maria at hello@championsmojo.com. MORE ABOUT JOSH PRENOT Josh Prenot is an Olympic silver medalist and American record holder in the 200m breaststroke. A graduate of University of C...

After facing a setback in his Olympic career, Canadian swimmer Scott Dickens had the choice to retreat or find new motivation to succeed. Listen in as he shares the unexpected source of inspiration for his Olympic comeback -- and more about his latest venture, FORM Smart Swim Goggles. The Masters Swimming World will love this. It gave me goosebumps! Contact Kelly and Maria at hello@championsmojo.com. MORE ABOUT SCOTT DICKENS Scott Dickens is a two-time Canadian Olympic swimmer, making t...

A person’s self-worth has nothing to do with what they produce or their perceived success by others. Olympic swimmer Caroline Burckle talks with Kelly and Maria about how reflecting on her swimming career -- as well as pursuing other talents and passions -- has strengthened her belief in her inherent worth. Contact Kelly and Maria at hello@championsmojo.com. MORE ABOUT CAROLINE BURCKLE Caroline Burckle grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and swam for the University of Florida, winning two N...

Believing in yourself and committing to learning more about your passions is what Olympic champion Jason Lezak says has brought him success throughout his career and life. He talks with Kelly and Maria about turning negative energy into positive thinking and what that pivotal moment at the 2008 Olympics taught him about self-belief. Contact Kelly and Maria at hello@championsmojo.com. MORE ABOUT JASON LEZAK Jason Lezak is a four-time Olympian, Olympic champion and is best known for his r...

Choosing gratitude over fear is what helps Olympian triathlete Sarah True embrace the tough moments and reach heightened success. In this exclusive interview with Kelly Palace and Maria Parker, Sarah discusses training, mindset and warding off depression. Tune in for inspiration from this world-class athlete. Contact Kelly and Maria at hello@championsmojo.com. MORE ABOUT SARAH TRUE Sarah True is an American athlete who competes in triathlon. She represented the United States in triathlo...

What is the best way to productively deal with pressure? Olympic gold medal backstroke swimmer Ryan Murphy joins hosts Kelly Palace and Maria Parker to talk about how he deals with pressure in his life, both in and out of the pool. Contact Kelly and Maria at hello@championsmojo.com. MORE ABOUT RYAN MURPHY: Ryan Murphy is an American competitive swimmer, currently swimming for the L.A. Current professional swim team. He is a three-time Olympic gold medalist and world-record holder in the men's...

Katie Hoff is one of the world’s best swimmers who never won an Olympic gold medal, retiring from swimming in 2015 after treating pulmonary embolisms. She joins the show to talk about finding her “deep down” for success in swimming -- and in life after it. Contact Kelly and Maria at hello@championsmojo.com. MORE ABOUT KATIE HOFF: Katie Hoff is a former professional American swimmer, Olympic medalist, and former world record-holder. She is most known for her 200- and 400-meter individual...

This week’s guest is five-time Olympic medalist Josh Davis who talks with Kelly and Maria about setting routines and repeating patterns to reach success. He also talks about his swimming Renaissance using ultra short race pace training. Tune in to hear his tips for success and how faith, instead of fear, drive his decisions. MORE ABOUT JOSH DAVIS: Josh Davis won three gold medals in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and came back four years later to win two silver medals in Sydney. He was a nine-t...

Mary T. Meagher Plant 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 this exclusive interview, she shares advice for people who are currently dealing with their dreams being postponed. Contact Kelly and Maria at hello@championsmojo...

Andrew Seliskar loves to race anyone, anywhere, any time. He embraces his competitive drive and says he likes to “swim for his friends and teammates.” Known for that competitiveness, hear how this trait has served him well in this exclusive interview with Kelly and Maria. ABOUT ANDREW SELISKAR Andrew Seliskar has been on the US National team since 2013 and his international experience includes a World Championship medal, world rankings and Pan Pacs gold medalist. Andrew is from McLean, Vir...

Three-time Olympic Swimmer, a USA Team Captain, broadcast journalist and author of the new book, Silver Lining, Elizabeth Beisel gives an authentic interview on what she's been up to lately -- and she gives some great advice to those looking to make the 2020 Olympic Team. She also shares her champion's take on competitiveness, mindset and traits she thinks champions share. ABOUT ELIZABETH BEISEL Elizabeth Beisel is a three-time Olympic swimmer and medalist, multiple NCAA champion for the U...

Do you have the guts to take an endurance race out hard and hold on? Leah Smith does. You'll love listening to Leah's tough mindset and her thoughts on racing and life. An Olympic gold medalist, World Champion and multiple-time NCAA champion, Leah is known by her teammates as a joy to be around. You'll be inspired by this fun and genuine interview. ABOUT LEAH SMITH Leah Smith is an Olympic gold medalist as part of the USA’s winning 800 freestyle relay team at the 2016 Olympics a...

Learn why Nathan Adrian calls swimming his "Passion Project" and what he's planning for his next big challenge. This interview marks the one year mark since Adrian returned to the pool after surgery and treatment for testicular cancer. He shares what he's learned, how he's used marginal improvement to help guide his success and how he sees things very differently now. We guarantee you'll be inspired! ABOUT NATHAN ADRIAN: Earning five Olympic gold medals and 27 gold medals in international co...

Are you ready to step out of your usual persona and step up your performance? Learn about an interesting new tool for creating greater success in your life, whether it is in athletics, work or other areas: the use of alter egos and avatars for success. The use of these tools allows you to put on a persona that is secondary to your natural personality to achieve more. Expert guest on this topic Zach Harting joins the show to share his recipe for alter ego and avatar success. ABOUT ZACH HARTING...

Kelsi Dahlia is a fierce competitor but says that gratitude and life-balance is what helps her get through tough times. She is fresh off winning the ISL Finals in the 100 meter butterfly, defeating the current World Record holder. Outside the pool she is devoted to her church, family and community. In this exclusive interview, she shares candidly about her disappointment at the 2016 Olympics, how its made her hungry and talks about how she deals with pre-race extra energy. ABOUT KELSI DAHL...

What role does mindfulness play in the success of an athlete? Natalie Coughlin has 12 Olympic medals and 12 world titles, making her the most decorated woman swimmer in history. She talks about returning to competition after three years out of the water and how her competitiveness has helped her achieve her goals. Additionally, Coughlin gives some great advice for swimmers and the role mindfulness plays in life and athletics. She is the author of two books: Golden Girl: How Natalie Coughlin F...

How does Cody Miller maintain balance in his life? He’s an Olympic champion, professional swimmer and YouTube star, with a dedicated training schedule toward the 2020 Olympic Trials, who says maintaining consistency and showing up for yourself makes all the difference. In this episode, you'll learn more about the mojo that Cody uses to succeed to help you accomplish your own big goals. Tune in for a great interview that will definitely inspire you! WIN A CODY MILLER TEE SHIRT! Champion’s Mojo w...

AWARD WINNING SHOW 2020 WEBBY. Most people would never consider a dive into the black, icy waters of the Antarctic, but Lewis Pugh is driven by a purpose that is bigger than himself and his own comfort. The endurance swimmer is on a mission to bring awareness to and save the oceans of the world. In Part II of his exclusive interview with Kelly Palace and Maria Parker, Pugh shares some of his successes so far and overcoming low points on the journey. You can listen to Part I of the interview h...

AWARD WINNING SHOW 2020 WEBBY. How does Lewis Pugh dive in at such places as the North Pole and complete endurance swims in below-freezing water temperatures? He says he is motivated by his "driving purpose,” which is saving our oceans. His interview with Kelly Palace and Maria Parker is guaranteed to inspire you to get out of your comfort zone and find your own purpose. Tune in to part one of this two-part exclusive interview with Lewis Pugh. Subscribe to the Champion's Mojo podcast on YouTu...