Champions Mojo for Masters Swimmers

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

1. Give yourself permission to say “this makes me feel alive and gives me meaning.”
2. Keep what is important in perspective to deal with performance anxiety. 
3. Even if your body changes, you can enjoy movement and activities. 

Maria

1. Consistency can remain, even if your schedule is always changing. Make time, somewhere, to fit in what is important. 
2. You can outwork others who may have more talent than you.

Email us at [email protected]. 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

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 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 KURT DICKSON

Kurt Dickson is a full-time physician and masters swimmer, specializing in the longer freestyle events and backstroke. He’s been US Masters National Champion 95 times, which means 95 All-American Honors, a 2-time FINA World Record Holder and a 7-time USMS Long Distance All-Star. In 2021, he earned his first-ever Pool All-Star honor, which is the highest honor in US Masters Swimming. 

Kurt has also completed the Triple Crown of Marathon Swimming which includes the Swim around Manhattan (28.5 mile), the English Channel crossing (21 mile) and swimming the Catalina Channel. He’s also a 5-time Ironman Finisher. 

Episode Topics and Mentions

Emergency medicine

US Masters Swimming

Triple Crown of Marathon Swimming

Brigham Young University

Sleep routines

Triathlons

US Masters National Meet

University of Texas

Distance swimming

Tapering

Takeaways

Kelly

1. Give yourself permission to say “this makes me feel alive and gives me meaning.”
2. Keep what is important in perspective to deal with performance anxiety. 
3. Even if your body changes, you can enjoy movement and activities. 

Maria

1. Consistency can remain, even if your schedule is always changing. Make time, somewhere, to fit in what is important. 
2. You can outwork others who may have more talent than you.
3. Put your feelings into different buckets to really understand it: spiritual, intellectual and primal.

“You’ve got to be patient with yourself; you’ve got to be persistent, but be patient with yourself.”  -- Kurt Dickson

Subscribe to the Champion's Mojo podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Play.

Have something you want to share with us? Email it to [email protected].

Email us at [email protected]. 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

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 [email protected]. 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 ChampionsMojo.com/cm-coaching.

Catch up on EVERY episode at ChampionsMojo.com.

MORE ABOUT AMANDA COKER

Amanda Coker is one of the most-decorated ultracyclists in the world, best known for her 2017 Highest Annual Mileage Record (also known as HAM’R) when she rode her bicycle 86,573.2 miles in 365 days. That is an average of over 237 miles per day. 

Amanda owns 15 other World Ultracycling Association sanctioned world records, including the highest month mileage record cycling a mind-boggling 8012.5 miles and the 100,000 mile record in 423 days. In October of 2021 Amanda became the first woman to ride more than 500 miles solo in 24 hours solo. She rode 512.5 miles, breaking 10 other women’s cycling records along the way. Amanda is a member of the TWENTY/24 women’s professional cycling team.

Episode Topics and Mentions

Triathlons

HAMM’R, Highest Annual Mileage Record

Patent foramen ovale (PFO), heart condition

Traumatic brain injury

Nighttime paralysis

PTSD

Strava

Bullying

Ultracycling

Amanda Coker Coaching

Nutrition

Rest

Takeaways

Kelly

1. When we do something that is difficult, we are inspiring others -- even if we don’t realize it.
2. Remember that moving your body and having access to movement is a gift and privilege.

Maria

1. Turn negativity into motivation that fuels you to continue succeeding.
2. Break down bigger goals into smaller, micro-goals.

“Keep setting short goals on the way to reaching your long-term goals.” -- Amanda Coker

Subscribe to the Champion's Mojo podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Play.

Have something you want to share with us? Email it to [email protected].

Email us at [email protected]. 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

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 ChampionsMojo.com.

MORE ABOUT AMY RIEGER

Amy Rieger is a US Masters Swimming national record holder, USMS All-Star for the Year 2021, and a woman that had six #1 FINA world rankings in 2021 in the women’s age group 60-64. The most amazing part is that she only competed in 10 swim meets prior to 2021.

USMS Recognition:

• National Record SCM 100 IM
• All star for 2021, most 1st place finishes of all women in my age group.
• All American (fastest times in the USA) in 11 swims
• Long Distance champion and new record holder; One Hour Swim
• Long Distance champion and new record holder; Brute Squad and Brute Squad Lite

FINA Recognition:

• World Masters Top 10 2021, 14 top 10 times. 6 top times are #1
• World Masters Top 10 of all time, 9 top times

Episode Topics and Mentions

US Masters Swimming

Crew/rowing

Puerto Rico

Stu Kahn

FINA Top 10

Hurricane Maria

Physical therapy

Mills College in Oakland, California

Bikram Yoga

Pullups

Irritable bowel syndrome

Gluten-free

Sarasota Sharks

Hiking

Water skiing

Fernando Delgado

Kerry Lindauer

Takeaways

Kelly

1. Record yourself in your athletic or career pursuits and then watch it and analyze it for improvement. 
2. When you’re trying to improve, improve one thing at a time. 

Maria

1. Having a coach is so important to improvement in every area of your life. 
2. You have to have fun in what you are doing to make it a successful part of your life.

“Make small changes -- You can’t change three things at once. Work on little things at a time.” -- Amy Rieger

Subscribe to the Champion's Mojo podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Play.

Have something you want to share with us? Email it to [email protected].

Email us at [email protected]. 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

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.com.

Episode Topics and Mentions

Steve Mellor

Japan

Riptide

Culture

Clemson University

Technology

Social media

Genius Zone

Cejih Young

CG Sports Network

Reasons to Say No

• Sets boundaries
• Relieves stress
• Shows respect to others
• Relieves you of commitments when you don’t have the time
• Prevents you from doing things that are a not a fit or in alignment with your goals

Ways to Say No

• Use a “no” sandwich that expresses appreciation to the person asking
• Just say “no” -- end of story
• Let the person know that it is not a “no” always -- it’s a “no” for now
• “Ghost” the person or situation if it is the only way you can show a strong “no”
• Pause first and say that you will think about it

Takeaways

Kelly

1. We don’t need to respond to every single incoming contact that we receive. Sometimes ghosting is better than a “no” if you really need to do it.

Maria

1. Before getting caught up in online networking, think about the people you really hope to hear from or want to respond to and prioritize those communications.

Quote of the Week

“It’s only by saying ‘no’ that you can concentrate on the things that really matter.” -- Steve Jobs

Subscribe to the Champion's Mojo podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Play.

Have something you want to share with us? Email it to [email protected].

Email us at [email protected]. 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

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. 

Benjamin swam for Northeastern University in Boston from 1994 - 1996 and Boston University from 1996 - 1998. He’s a Senior Analytics Sales Specialist living, working and swimming on the Space Coast of Florida. 

He’s currently a Masters Swimmer with multiple All-American Honors. 

Episode Topics and Mentions

Masters swimming

Seychelles

East Africa

French language

Melbourne Mahis (Masters swim club)

Sydney Olympics

India

Australia

Northeastern University 

Boston University

Takeaways

Kelly

1. Remember that if you have done the work, you will be okay and succeed. 
2. Tap the bundling effect -- such as music and exercise -- to boost your mood and motivation. 

Maria

1. Champions must create priorities, to truly ascend. 
2. Advocate for yourself when it comes to your wellness. 

“Time is the only commodity you have, so what are you going to do with it?” -- Benjamin Lo-Pinto

Subscribe to the Champion's Mojo podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Play.

Have something you want to share with us? Email it to [email protected].

Email us at [email protected]. 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

Are you living in the present? Or stuck on past mistakes or future worries?

Swimming legend Amanda Beard swam in four Olympics, but struggled silently with depression, bulimia and body dysmorphia. She joins the show to talk about how confiding in people she trusted helped her through her darkest days -- and how she now tries to engage with, and live inside, each moment. And how building out her business keeps her striving for important 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 ChampionsMojo.com.

MORE ABOUT AMANDA BEARD

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-meter breaststroke in 2004 at US Olympic Trials, then became the Olympic Champion in that event in Athens a few months later. 

Besides being an NCAA Champion for the Arizona Wildcats and a 2X Pan Pac Champion, she was named a co-captain of the U.S. women’s Olympic swim team in Beijing in 2008. She’s been a model gracing the pages of some of the world’s biggest magazines and has been a TV sports correspondent.  

As a young woman, Amanda battled bulimia, body dysmorphia, depression and drug use throughout her swimming career, as described in her 2012 memoir In the Water They Can’t See You Cry. 

Since retiring from competition, Amanda has been busy teaching children to learn to swim through Beard Swim Co., a swim school in Gig Harbor, Washington, which she founded in 2017.  

Episode Topics and Mentions

Bulimia

Body dysmorphia

Depression

OCD

Self-mutilation

In the Water They Can’t See You Cry by Amanda Beard

Dave Salo

Lou Sharp

University of Arizona Wildcats

Frank Bush

Beard Swim Co.

Mel Stewart

Playboy 

Takeaways

Kelly

1. Connecting with other people is a champion trait. 
2. Be in the now. Be present. Enjoy what is happening right now, in this moment. 

Maria

1. Confidence and bravery look differently depending on the person -- and it comes from doing things that terrify you. 
2. Whatever it is that’s inside you that is black and dark - talk about it. Let someone else who you trust help you through it.  

“Being a champion is really about being engaged with the people around you.” -- Amanda Beard

Subscribe to the Champion's Mojo podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Play.

Have something you want to share with us? Email it to [email protected].

Email us at [email protected]. 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

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 health, leadership and life coaching with Kelly or Maria at ChampionsMojo.com/cm-coaching.

Catch up on EVERY episode at ChampionsMojo.com.

7 Ways to Improve Confidence

1. Just jump! Take action. 
2. Believe in yourself. Speak words that to yourself that you would say to your best friend. 
3. Pose confidently. Ignore what others think; ground yourself in your own confidence.
4. Celebrate your successes. Look back at “your pile” of accomplishments and feel confidence seeing how much you’ve already done.
5. Practice and prepare. You will find deeper confidence when you feel prepared for what is front of you.
6. Find a role model. Remember that if that person can do it, then I can do it.
7. Own it. Step into your power, despite what anyone else thinks.

Episode Topics and Mentions

Self-confidence

Psychology Today

Take Your Mark, Lead! by Kelly Palace

Nathan Adrian

Susan Boyle

Paulina Porizkova

Takeaways

Kelly

1. Own your age and all that you are still accomplishing and doing. 

Maria

1. Find a role model in each area of your life -- work, sports, family and more.

“Whatever is unique or different about you -- that you may not be comfortable with -- by simply owning it, you can become more confident.". -- Kelly Palace

Subscribe to the Champion's Mojo podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Play.

Have something you want to share with us? Email it to [email protected].

Email us at [email protected]. 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

Are you brave enough to do something differently than everyone else? Paige Madden sometimes goes against the conventional “swimming wisdom” and still wins.

Paige’s road to the Olympics had bumps and setbacks but she says consistency and finding her own style of swimming have helped her succeed. She joins the show to talk with Kelly and Maria about the Olympics, professional swimming and how she swims best under pressure. 

As the reigning NCAA Champion in the 200, 500 and 1650 Madden answers a question about transgender swimmer Lia Thomas. 

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 PAIGE MADDEN

Paige Madden is an Olympic silver medalist and American record holder swimmer who swims for Tokyo FrogKings for the International Swimming League. Paige was on the silver medal-winning women’s 4 x 200M freestyle relay, where the relay team broke an American record and dipped below the previous world record held by Australia. She is an NCAA champion swimmer, swimming for the University of Virginia. 

As an asthmatic, Paige became ill when she came down with COVID-19 before the Olympic Trials. Despite a reduction in her lung capacity from the illness,  Paige was able to come back and make the Olympic team in two events, touching second in the 400 free and 3rd in the 200 free.  Paige is part of the CG Sports Network. 

Episode Topics and Mentions

Asthma

COVID-19

International Swimming League

Tokyo Olympics

CG Sports Network

The University of Virginia

Abu Dhabi

Allison Schmitt

Katie Ledecky

Katie McLaughlin

Todd DeSorbo

The audiobook Endure by Alex Hutchinson

Russell Mark

Lia Thomas

Transgender swimmer

Physician assistant

Blaire Bachman

Meditation

Confidence

Anti-doping

Takeaways

Kelly

1. You don’t always have to do things like you are “supposed to” but can personalize your approach to reach your own peak performance.
2. It’s okay to just have silence in your head sometimes and that it is a normal part of performing at your best. 

Maria

1. When you feel overwhelmed with pressure, look out and see who you can help and encourage to take the stress off of you.
2. Find a balance between hard work and creativity. 

“It’s not necessarily what happens that day that determines your success; it’s what you’ve done consistently leading up to that day.” -- Paige Madden

Subscribe to the Champion's Mojo podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Play.

Have something you want to share with us? Email it to [email protected].

Email us at [email protected]. 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