Olympic, NCAA & Top Coaches Interviews Episodes

Ever wonder what separates an average swim lane or team from a championship-level squad? Culture isn’t a poster on the wall—it’s the way your team operates on an ordinary Wednesday morning when you're staring at the black line and nobody is trying to be inspirational. In this episode, we sit down with Greg Clink, 3-time Coach of the Year in basketball, who's a leadership expert, to put a real definition around “championship culture” and make it completely usable for Masters swimmers, coaches, an...

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. Kat...

Whether you’re a coach, swimmer, or simply a sports enthusiast, this episode will inspire you with insights into the transformative power of perseverance, innovation, and connection. Dive into this episode as Jonathan Kaplan, the visionary behind SwimRVA, Rapids Swim Team shares how he turned a small swimming program into a thriving community of over 580 passionate swimmers. Discover the secrets to creating an environment where swimmers, from kids to adults, feel empowered, responsible, and exci...

Coach Dudley Duncan, a legend with over five decades on the pool deck, joins us to unravel the art of swimming and the strategic nuances of racing. Promising a fresh perspective, Coach Duncan underscores the importance of keeping the sport playful, even as athletes become more goal-oriented. His new book, "The Art of Swimming and the Game of Racing," offers strategic insights for swimmers and coaches aiming to elevate their skills and perhaps manage their own swimming clubs. Whether you're an as...

As we celebrate a landmark 250 episodes of Champions Mojo, I'm thrilled to bring you an intimate conversation with a figure who has not just coached me, but also shaped the destinies of countless swimmers—legendary Nations Capital coach John Flanagan. Reconnecting with John, who has spent over five decades mentoring swimmers from the grassroot levels to the elite masters, we unearth the profound impact he has had on the sport and on the lives he's touched. His life, rich with wisdom, weave a ...

Head coach of Cavalier Aquatics, Gary Taylor, dives into the strategies that help lead his team to excellence among USA swim teams. In an engaging conversation with Champion's Mojo host Kelly Palace, Coach Taylor pulls back the curtain on the meticulous process of sculpting versatile, well-rounded swimmers, like USA National Team stand-out Thomas Heilman. Cavalier Aquatics swimmers are trained to be capable of excelling across various strokes and distances. Discover the underpinning philosophies...

What happens when an Olympic swimming coach dons the hat of a swimming parent? We had an enlightening conversation with Todd DeSorbo, a parent to his own son who swims--we caught Todd at his son's swim meet. Todd also happens to be the Olympic coach for the USA women's swimming team in 2024. We delved into how he strikes a balance between supporting his child in sport and letting his son's coaches do their job. Also what he recommends when a swimmer has a disappointing swim. From our poolside c...

Have you ever wondered how to maximize your performance at a swim meet? Join us as we catch up with the renowned master swim coach, Scott Bay, at the 15th annual Rowdy Gaines. Scott, the 2016's US Master Swimming Coach of the Year, hands out invaluable advice on how to approach a swim meet effectively - from a warmup routine that tunes your brain with your body, to adjusting your intensity and mentally preparing for every aspect of your race. Drawing from his vast experience, Scott illustrates t...

Arguably one of the greatest swim coaches of all time, Bob Bowman, 5X Olympic Coach, Head Coach at Arizona State University and Michael Phelps' Coach asks 5 things of his athletes. Enjoy this quick mojo from a legend! To hear the full interview listen to the episode HERE 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...

2020 Olympic and Stanford Head Women's Swim Coach Greg Meehan, 2-minute micro mojo flashback) on how champions change and how he's changed as a coach. Listen to the full episode here. https://www.championsmojo.com/episodepage/gregmeehan86 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

Need a quick confidence boost? This nugget of mojo from World-class confidence coach to multiple olympians, Christen Shefchunas, will do the trick! Christen Shefchunas is a professional Confidence Coach who works with athletes who are Olympians, World Champions and NCAA All Americans, as well as high school athletes. As a former Division I head coach, Christen watched too many women miss out on their potential because of their lack of confidence. Realizing that there was a significant lack of re...

In just a couple of minutes you can hear why this top college coach thinks it is important to make a connection with your coach! Braden Holloway keeps piling on the awards for his swimmers and himself: - 8x ACC Men’s Coach of the Year (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022) - 2017 ACC Women’s Coach of the Year - 6 NCAA Relay Champions - 9 NCAA Individual Champions - 7 Men's Team ACC Championships - 2 Women's Team ACC Championships - 454 All-America selections - 78 ACC Individual Champio...

What does it mean to be an "All-Day" Champion? UVA Head Swim Coach Todd DeSorbo gives us some great mojo in this QUICK 2-MIN FLASHBACK To listen to the full episode of this interview at www.championsmojo.com/episodepage/todddesorbo91 Todd DeSorbo is the head coach of the University of Virginia’s men’s and women's swimming and diving programs. In five years at UVA, he has created a women’s team that has won two NCAA team titles, four ACC titles, mulitple individual NCAA titles an...

This week's 5-MINUTE FLASHBACK is with University of California at Berkeley Head Women's Swim Coach, Teri McKeever. In this episode she answers the question, "What is your team's culture?" McKeever was the first ever female head coach of the U.S. Olympic women's swim team, earning this honor at the 2012 Olympics. McKeever is under fire from allegations of former and current team members for verbal and emotional abuse. LISTEN HERE for to the full interview with Teri McKeever, ...

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 SHEFCH...

Feb. 16, 2021 Georgia Tech head coach Courtney Shealy Hart hates to lose more than she likes to win -- and that competitiveness, along with strong organization and communication skills, drives her coaching to consistently successful heights. Courtney’s techniques helped her break the glass ceiling as one of the first D1, Power 5 Head Coaches of both men and women. Courtney joins Kelly and Maria to talk about her tangible advice for leading championship teams and how she makes being a b...

Harnessing the power of the mind through meditation, visualization and positivity sets you up for success and greater enjoyment of life, no matter what the phase or situation. Elite swim coach Sergio Lopez Miro joins the show to talk with Kelly and Maria about his winning mindset that includes powerful mind exercises and chasing authenticity. Sign up for your free consultation on health, leadership and life coaching with Kelly or Maria at ChampionsMojo.com/cm-coaching . MORE ABOUT SERGIO LOPEZ M...

Reckless abandon, relentless effort and intestinal fortitude are phrases champions, like Todd DeSorbo and his athletes, live by. And Todd Believes that building relationships and learning as much as you can about, and from, those around you boosts camaraderie, fun and success. College head swimming coach Todd DeSorbo talks with Kelly and Maria about his approach to cultivating fun and accomplishments at UVA and in life. Have something to share with the hosts? Email it to hello@championsmojo.com....

Confidence is not intrinsic for everyone but can be developed with small steps and consistent habits. Elite coach Greg Meehan joins the show and talks with Kelly and Maria about how he motivates collegiate and Olympic athletes while maintaining work-life harmony. Have something to share with the hosts? Email it to hello@championsmojo.com. MORE ABOUT GREG MEEHAN Greg Meehan is the 2021 U.S. Olympic Women's Swimming Head Coach and 2020-2021 is his ninth season as Director of Women's Swimming at St...

The role of strength training is underutilized -- but entrepreneur Chris Ritter is trying to change that. In this exclusive interview with Kelly and Maria, Chris talks about how strength is the foundation for all athletic growth and how seeking out mentorship from others has helped him succeed in his own business. MORE ABOUT CHRIS RITTER Chris Ritter is the founder of RITTER Sports Performance, offering specific training sets and workouts, in-depth technique tips and analysis and dryland and str...

Coaching the individual, and paying attention to every detail and person involved in the training process, are keys to international success, according to elite swimming coach Jon Rudd who joins hosts Kelly Palace and Maria Parker in this exclusive interview. Jon shares his thoughts on training Olympic swimmers and how the lessons from the pool translate into the rest of life. Contact Kelly and Maria at hello@championsmojo.com . MORE ABOUT JON RUDD Jon Rudd has served as head coach for national ...

Bob Bowman believes that the process is what sets one up for inevitable success. In this lively interview Coach Bowman talks with Champion’s Mojo Hosts Kelly Palace and Maria Parker and shares some of his own routines for success and talks ASU culture and the five pillars he’s using for creating an environment for success. You may be surprised to learn that Bob himself is swimming again for the first time in 30 years, believes in “going with the flow”, appreciates those coaches that have mentore...

Lenny Krayzelburg is a four-time Olympic gold medalist, a Swim School franchise developer and General Manager of the L.A. Current, an International Swim League, ISL, founding team. In this exclusive and revealing interview, he talks about his use of gratitude to get through tough times and the importance of having a plan for career and all aspects of life. You'll find value in this episode whether you are a pro swimmer or a budding entrepreneur. Subscribe to the Champion's Mojo podcast on YouTub...

Learn from legendary swim coach Jack Bauerle how relationships can be key to success. Bauerle has been the head men’s and women’s swim coach at the University of Georgia for 40+ years and is known for being a "nice guy." In this interview, Bauerle talks about how friendships in his life have led to his success and shares some surprising passions and the importance of family. Subscribe to the Champion's Mojo podcast on YouTube . Leave us a review, too! If you subscribe on YouTube you could win on...