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What happens when life's challenges pull you away from your passion, only to lead you back years later with a renewed sense of purpose? Michele Kuvin Kupfer, a former member of the 1980 Israeli Olympic swim team and filmmaker, invites us into her world—a world where swimming was once both an escape and a refuge. Despite facing hurdles due to her Jewish background and personal struggles, Michelle's return to the pool as she approached 60 is a story of resilience and transformation. Her journ...

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 ...

27 Year Old Jenna Campbell, a former NCAA D-1 Swimmer at Cal Berkeley is a brand new Masters World Record holder for the 25-29 age group in the 200 long course meters freestyle with a blistering 2:02.06. Join us at the Mission Viejo pool as Jenna opens up about her unexpected triumph and the journey that brought her back to the water as a member of the Colorado Masters. From her competitive days at Cal Berkeley to rediscovering her love for swimming through a triathlon group in Colorado, Jenna'...

Could a pediatric surgeon's sage advice revolutionize your swimming performance? Join us for a captivating episode of Champion's Mojo, where we sit poolside with Dr. Peter Yu at the US Masters Long Course Nationals in Mission Viejo, CA. As both a skilled surgeon and masters swimmer for Novaquatics Masters (NOVA), Dr. Yu offers a treasure trove of insights into the latest trends he sees in Olympic and master swimming. Discover the critical role of dry land training, the surprising benefits of...

Do you compete against your spouse, best friend, roommate, sibling? Ever wondered how to keep the competitive spirit alive without straining your closest relationships? Tune in to this week’s episode of Champions Mojo, where I, Kelly Palace, share five tips that will revolutionize how you compete against or alongside your loved ones. Drawing from my own experiences with my competitions with my husband Mark, who is also a competitive swimmer, I discuss how gratitude, focusing on personal mileston...

Meet Angela Staab, the octogenarian dynamo whose running shoes have blazed a trail through the world of track and field, capturing 16 national titles after lacing up for the first time at the tender age of 57. Her zest for life and competition has not only shattered records but preconceptions about what it means to grow older with gusto. In our conversation, Angela opens up about her late bloom into athletic prowess fueled by her daughters' encouragement and a desire to live life to the fullest....

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...

Remember that feeling of triumph when you touched the pool wall first during those childhood swim meets? We tap into that exuberant spirit with Brian Robbins, the founder and driving force behind Grown-Up Swimming , in an episode that will open your eyes to a new option for fun and competition for adult swimmers everywhere. You'll get the scoop on Grown-Up Swimming's new partnership with US Masters Swimming and their exciting plans for expansion! We explore the Grownup Swimming League's mission...

When life throws you a curveball, do you dodge or catch it and throw it back? Coach Chris Rowe caught his curveball and turned it into a cannonball dive back into the pool of competitive swimming. From swimming for Auburn to the cusp of Olympic glory, through a life in accounting, and navigating the challenging waters of a heart transplant, Chris's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Now, he's on Champions Mojo, pouring out pearls of wisdom on coaching, the transformative power of sports,...

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...

When 56 year old Karen Torres, who had not swum a meet in 34 years, was invited to join a relay that was aiming to break a world record she hesitated at first. But then Karen committed to the 5 weeks of training before the event and was up for the challenge. Hear her story, from the nerve-racking return to the triumph, and how she navigated from pace training to anaerobic swimming, finding her stride once again in the water. This episode is more than just a tale about breaking records. It's abo...

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...

55-year-old Masters All-American, Deborah Dawson discusses her unique training schedule, Deborah spills the secrets of her impressive speed and endurance in swimming. Her mantra of feeling good, sleeping well, and eating healthy forms a vital part of her preparation, but it's her training regimes that truly steal the spotlight. From race stuff practices to maintaining a thriving threshold while swimming, Deborah unveils the factors that make her a force to be reckoned with in the water. She cand...

Dawson Hughes, the CEO of US Masters Swimming (USMS), started swimming when he was just eight, and now he stands at the helm of an organization that's making waves in the world of adult swimming. Listen as he shares his journey, his goals for the future, and some exciting initiatives on the horizon for USMS. In our chat, we dive into the heart of US Masters Swimming's mission - expanding the adult swimming community to a broad range of people. We shed light on the challenges of making the sport...

Meet Trinity and BJ Graham, co-founders of the Swim Melbourne Masters team. This inspiring duo built a now dominant team from a group of 19 swimmers into a thriving team of over 150. Assistant Masters Coach Mike Mirda was also instrumental is helping build the team. Besides planning and execution you'll hear some behind the scenes best practices and how the team just came off winning the 15th Annual Rowdy Gaines Masters Classic by over 2000 points. They also reveal the secret behind - the “Mahi...

Prepare to be inspired by our compelling chat with the unstoppable Denise Letendre, an accomplished US Masters All-American, who not only holds multiple records with her LMSC, but has also made waves in the world of law. As a lifelong swimmer, Denise's journey from a Division One swimmer to a Masters swimmer is nothing short of inspiring, revealing how she used her discipline in swimming to manage her time, push through tough cases, and achieve success in her law career. Her advice to college s...

Imagine finding a treasure chest brimming with secrets to refine your swimming technique and endurance. Well, we’ve got something better than that - a chat with the Technique Genius, Paul Newsome, the founder of SwimSmooth and the pioneer of that transformational swimming program. We journey from his successful English Channel swim to understanding the mantra that keeps swimmers focused in the water, "bubble, bubble breathe." You'll hear how Paul helped Kelly drop major time. Dive into Paul’s pa...

We're poolside with the extraordinary Penny Noyes, a woman who epitomizes the phrase 'age is just a number'. The 69-year-old swimming legend, with nine world records and 14 national records to her name, shares insights into her phenomenal career and her secret to maintaining athletic excellence despite personal health challenges and a string of injuries. We dive deep into Penny’s rigorous training routine, which intriguingly involves training with a USA swim club team, consisting of 14...

Are you too young to become master swimmer? Join us as we chat with the inspiring James Popronowski, a competitive swimmer who jumped straight from college swimming to masters swimming. James, with his masters gold medal in the 1500 freestyle long course and an unwavering commitment to maintaining his swimming routine post-college, offers compelling insights into the dedication and passion that fuels his success. This conversation takes us on a dive into James’s journey, from his childhood swimm...

We're elated to introduce one of Team USA's Sports Psychologist, Dr Colleen Hacker, a certified mental performance consultant (CMPC), author, and professor. Dr. Hacker uncovers the keys to achieve excellence in sports and life. This enlightening conversation is rooted in her latest book, Achieving Excellence Mastering Mindset for Peak Performance in Sport and Life. How often do we consider confidence as a dynamic entity, especially for world champions? Dr Hacker challenges our underst...

Picture this: a couple who left their jobs to pursue a life of fitness and travel, are running marathons in every state, and faced life-threatening health challenges. Welcome to the extraordinary life of Tom and Deb Stokes. Join us for a heartwarming and inspiring episode as we delve into their journey of love, athleticism, and resilience. The Stokes share the importance of setting goals, the role their athletic backgrounds played in overcoming health challenges, and how they balanced life, fitn...

Ready for some Couples Mojo? Meet the dynamic duo of Dale and Dave LeClair, a married couple who have managed to blend their love for swimming and fitness into their relationship. This wasn't just a casual dip in the pool; we're talking about high-level mastery in the world of swimming. Listen in as they let us in on their journey, starting from shared shifts at a local swimming pool to competing fiercely in Masters Swimming. Their story doesn't stop there; they've braved long-distance triathlon...

What if swimming for your teammates could bring you more success than just doing it for yourself? Discover the power of teamwork in our conversation with Nancy Kryka, a multi-world record holding swimmer and member of the Sarasota Sharks Y Masters. Nancy shares her passion for relays, her experience swimming for Arizona State University, and how being a part of the Sarasota Sharks team has motivated her to achieve greater heights. Get ready to be inspired by Nancy's story, as she reveals her sec...

We sit down with our very own Maria Parker, co-host of the Champions Mojo podcast and author of the incredible book, Do Tough. Prepare to be inspired by Maria's book launch and the powerful story of winning the Race Across America (RAAM) while grappling with the devastating loss of her sister, Jenny, to brain cancer. Together, we explore the concept of Maria's book, what readers will learn and much more. As always you'll have insights, inspiration and takeaways! What sets Do Tough apart is the w...