Champions Mojo for Masters Swimmers

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 [email protected].

MORE ABOUT JOSH PRENOT

Josh Prenot is an Olympic silver medalist and American record holder in the 200m breaststroke.  A graduate of University of California, Berkeley, Josh’ s college career culminated with a gold medal just kept getting better in a college career that culminated in 2016 with a gold medal at the NCAAs in the 400 IM. He followed that with a win and an American record in the 200m breaststroke at the Olympic trials and a silver medal in the 200 m breaststroke in the 2016 Rio Olympics. 

Josh Prenot has been swimming since he and his mother did “mom and me” swim lessons as a baby. Josh is from Santa Maria, California and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a Physics degree. He is currently a professional swimmer sponsored by Adidas and in 2019 was named a member of the LA Current ISL team. He married his long time girlfriend, Tiffany Sudarma, in Indonesia in a wedding photographed by People Magazine. 

Episode Topics and Mentions

Adidas

Tiffany Sudarma

University of California, Berkeley

ISL, International Swim League

L.A. Current, ISL team

People magazine

Physics

San Francisco Bay Area

Aquatic Park in San Francisco

Weightlifting

Hiking

Biking

Tom Shields

Nathan Adrian

Natalie Coughlin

Internal motivation

Working hard vs. trying hard

The pitfalls of multitasking

Takeaways

Maria

1. Do the thing that you need to do in that moment, right now. Do not let the big picture overwhelm you.
2. The technique of debriefing helps you understand where you’ve succeeded and where you can improve, and it applies to all areas of life. 

Kelly

1. Stay in the moment, paying attention to the process. You can control process more than outcome.
2. Internal motivation involves being focused on what you can do and staying in your own lane to reach success. If you are doing anything for someone else - or are externally motivated - you will end up disappointed or dissatisfied. 

Quote of the Week

"My best time management is done by never multi-tasking, only considering the task at hand and doing that really well and then moving on to the next thing." -- Josh Prenot

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]

Keep up with the show by visiting ChampionsMojo.com and visiting the Facebook page, Instagram page, and Twitter page. 

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

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 [email protected].

MORE ABOUT SCOTT DICKENS

Scott Dickens is a two-time Canadian Olympic swimmer, making the 2004 and 2012 teams.  He is the Director of Strategic Partnerships for FORM swim goggles. 

Episode Topics and Mentions

 FORM Smart Swim Goggles

Heart rate

Swimming metrics

Intervals

Bluetooth

Mark Spitz

Atrial fibrillation

Muscular fatigue

Communication skills

Work ethic

Ability to be hungry and want more

Lifelong learning

Financial planning

MBA

Half marathon training

Depression

Takeaways

Kelly

1. Focusing on others around you can take away from your own growth and success. Don’t worry about your competitors. 
2. Get back to the basics - do the things you are really passionate about and the core of what you believe. Skip the bells and whistles. 

Maria

1. When we have a big setback or loss, get right back out there and find motivation in the people and experiences around you.
2. Never give up. 

Quote of the Week 

"You are going to have failures, but it's how you learn from those mistakes and stand back up and keep going that's important." -- Scott Dickens

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]

Keep up with the show by visiting ChampionsMojo.com and visiting the Facebook page, Instagram page, and Twitter page. 

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

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 [email protected].

MORE ABOUT CAROLINE BURCKLE

Caroline Burckle grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and swam for the University of Florida, winning two NCAA individual championships in 2008. She was named the 2008 NCAA Female Swimmer of the Year and earned a bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, swimming the 4×200-meter freestyle relay. 

Since retiring from swimming in 2010, Burckle has started RISE Athletes, a mentorship program for young athletes. Burckle is also a professional artist and swimwear designer.

Episode Topics and Mentions

University of Florida

2008 Beijing Olympics

RISE Athletes

Mentorship

Redondo Beach, California

Swimwear designer

Depression

Mental health and athletes

Self-worth

Authenticity

NFL

Michael Bennett

Michael Phelps

Painting

Artist

Parenting

Motherhood and identity

Weightlifting

Janet Evans

Being “seen”

Limiting beliefs

Introversion

Clark Burckle

Takeaways

Maria

• It is so important to be authentic and to be seen for your real self, not just one aspect of your life. 
• People can be good at more than one thing. Hold space for the different parts of yourself.

Kelly

• Use confidence as a tool for getting through the pain.
• You don’t have to “produce” to have value. 

Quote of the Week: 

"I think one should look at where their self-worth lies, who are they are as a human being first, before we talk about what they can produce." -- Caroline Burckle

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]

Keep up with the show by visiting ChampionsMojo.com and visiting the Facebook page, Instagram page, and Twitter page. 

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

Endurance cyclist Jeffrey Ritter had to take small steps and set big goals to reach full recovery from a broken neck. He talks with Kelly and Maria about finding inspiration within to conquer each moment and how to “embrace the day.”

Contact Kelly and Maria at [email protected].

MORE ABOUT JEFFREY RITTER

Jeffrey Ritter is a world champion cyclist who made a full recovery from a broken neck and other injuries he sustained while training on his bicycle. At the 2019 Borrego Springs 12-hour world time trials, he was the champion -- completing 181 miles in 12 hours. He was a visiting lecturer at the University of Oxford, an author of multiple books (including two books of poetry) and is a world renowned expert on doing business in the digital age. 

Episode Topics and Mentions

French Alps

Race Across America, endurance race

Recovery from a broken neck

University of Oxford

London

Zwift

Durham, North Carolina

Col du Galibier

Recumbent bike

Cruzbike

Goal setting

Visualization

Reshaping goals

Gardening/growing cucumbers

Sourdough bread

Brain cancer

Accountability

Muhammed Ali

Endurance cycling

Using rage/anger as motivation

Bicycle link tattoo

Jim Parker

“Embrace the day”

Takeaways

Kelly

1. It’s important to remember the power of passion for motivation in everything in life. Passion is contagious.
2. Endurance athletes have a willingness to expose themselves to suffering. In that difficulty, champion moments are made. 

Maria

1. Set small goals to reach larger ones, especially when it is hard to see the big goal off in the distance. 
2. Optimism is so important to thinking about future goals. Positivity can turn goals into reality.

Quote of the Week: 

“Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.” -- Muhammad Ali

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]

Keep up with the show by visiting ChampionsMojo.com and visiting the Facebook page, Instagram page, and Twitter page.

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

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 [email protected].

MORE ABOUT JASON LEZAK

Jason Lezak is a four-time Olympian, Olympic champion and is best known for his role as the anchor of the USA’s gold medal relay in 2008 to a come-from-behind gold medal victory.

Jason has eight Olympic medals, is the current world record holder and has the fastest 100-free split ever recorded. Today, Jason serves as the general manager of the International Swim League’s Cali Condors, is a sought after speaker and works with many charitable causes. 

Episode Topics and Mentions

2008 Olympics

2004 Olympics

International Swim League, ISL

Cali Condors

Michael Phelps

Breast cancer

Middle distance training

Turning negativity into positive thinking

Alain Bernard

Rowdy Gaines

Woollett Aquatics Center, Irvine

Cognitive behavioral thought

Takeaways

Kelly

1. Recognize negativity but then reframe it and replace it with positivity. 
2. You have to be a student of life and learn about your sport, career and anything in life you want to succeed at doing. 

Maria

1. Do your own thing and what you need to do. Run/swim your own race. 
2. Discipline takes consistency and self motivation. It is okay to want to win and be competitive. 

Quote of the Week: 

"Believe in yourself, don't focus on what other people believe." -- Jason Lezak

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]

Keep up with the show by visiting ChampionsMojo.com and visiting the Facebook page, Instagram page, and Twitter page. 

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

Visualizing new habits or future successes before actually attempting them can help make them a reality. Tune in to hear Kelly and Maria’s tips on using mental rehearsal to improve your performance in all areas of life. 

Contact Kelly and Maria at [email protected]. Episode Topics and Mentions 

Mental practice

Little rehearsals to change habits

Huge rehearsals to manifest big change

Dr. Judd Biasiotto

University of Chicago 

Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado

John Flanagan

Martín López-Zubero

University of Florida

1992 Olympics

NC State Women’s Swim Team

Health coaching

Visualization Tips for Using Mental Rehearsal 

1. Start by taking a few deep breaths - breathe in for five seconds, hold for five seconds, release for seven seconds. Get into a moment of relaxation.
2. Tense and release different muscles.
3. Create peaceful images in your mind’s eye.
4. Put yourself in the situation where you want to be - visualize yourself in that actual moment. 
5. Consider mentally rehearsing new habits before you actually do them. 

Quote of the Week: 

“What the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve.” – Napoleon Hill

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]

Keep up with the show by visiting ChampionsMojo.com and visiting the Facebook page, Instagram page, and Twitter page. 

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

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 [email protected].

MORE ABOUT SARAH TRUE

Sarah True is an American athlete who competes in triathlon. She represented the United States in triathlon in 2012, finishing in fourth place, and at the 2016 Summer Olympics. True is the winner of the 2007 ITU Aquathlon World Championships and finished in second place in the 2014 ITU World Triathlon Series.

Episode Topics and Mentions

Triathlete

Middlebury College

Peter Solomon

Ironman triathlons

Exercise versus training

Intentionality

COVID-19

Swimming fitness

Depression

Endurance training

High performance sports

Overtraining

Kona Ironman

Stress as a trigger

Resilience

Sarah True’s YouTube channel

Takeaways

Kelly

1. Sarah was upfront in addressing her depression and how she faces it.
2. Fear can hold us back. Let go of expectations to try something new.

Maria

1. Sarah mentioned patience in her career -- that she keeps the long view in mind.
2. Sarah tries to be grateful in the hard moments to stay focused and successful.

Quote of the Week: 

"In painful moments or depressive moments, you have to be patient, stick it out, believe that you are going to get through it. It will pass." -- Sarah True

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]

Keep up with the show by visiting ChampionsMojo.com and visiting the Facebook page, Instagram page, and Twitter page. 

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

Why do we sometimes do the opposite of what we know we should? What is self-sabotage? How does it keep us from achieving our goals and how do we recognize it and use it for positive change? If you’ve ever found yourself hitting the snooze button despite your intention to get up and work out or, going for the second piece of pie just when you’ve started to get traction on your weight loss goals, you’ll want to tune in. 

Contact Kelly and Maria at [email protected].

Episode Topics and Mentions

Health coaching

Dark chocolate

Skin problem

Critter/reptilian brain

Food prep

Love, safety, belonging

Acceptance

Eczema

Self-compassion

How Do We Recognize Self-Sabotage?

Sabotage scenario #1:  Something else is always more important. 

What story are we telling ourselves? This happens when we tell ourselves that everything is more important than our own goals and health. 

Sabotage scenario #2: Desiring acceptance.

This happens when you want love and acceptance and are afraid that doing something different or changing will impact your relationships. Who might be affected negatively if we go after and achieve our goals? 

Sabotage scenario #3:  I’ve been good, I deserve a little extra.

When we start to feel really good, it can feel unfamiliar and we try to bring ourselves back to the old status quo. Go back to your goals: Why did you want to achieve them?  Come up with 4 to 5 good reasons.

Quote of the Week: 

“Self-sabotage is when we say we want something and then go about making sure it doesn't happen.” -- Alyce Cornyn-Selby

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]

Keep up with the show by visiting ChampionsMojo.com and visiting the Facebook page, Instagram page, and Twitter page. 

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

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 [email protected].

MORE ABOUT JON RUDD

Jon Rudd has served as head coach for national teams from three different nations and has coached many swimmers to success at the Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European levels.  The number of British and English National Records set through Jon's coaching are in excess of 100 and set by athletes from over 35 countries around the world. Jon coached in the UK at Plymouth College, one of the world leaders in swimming. Currently he is the National Performance Director of Swimming & Diving for Ireland. 

Episode Topics and Mentions

Ruta Meilutyte

Plymouth College

David Marsh

International Swim League, ISL

World Swimming Coaches Association

USRPT - Ultra Short Race Pace Training

Cassie Patten

Rudd snowflake theory

New Zealand

Rio Olympics

Ben Proud

Takeaways

Kelly

1. Skill and technique are the most important components to success; talent can only take you so far.
2. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes -- just be sure to learn from them and not make them again. 

Maria

1. It’s clear that Jon Rudd’s success is rooted in his diligence and work ethic.
2. You have to find what works for the individual when it comes to athletic training -- and this applies to the rest of life too. 

Quote of the Week: 

"It's okay to make a mistake, just don't make the same one twice."-- Jon Rudd

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]

Keep up with the show by visiting ChampionsMojo.com and visiting the Facebook page, Instagram page, and Twitter page. 

*this show was recorded before the COVID-19 pandemic*

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

Living passionately, gaining the trust of others and helping them along their journey is an important component of experiencing success, according to this exclusive interview with power journalist Markos Papadatos. He shares the routines, practices and philosophies that drive his productivity and interviewing style.

Contact Kelly and Maria at [email protected].

MORE ABOUT MARKOS PAPADATOS:

Markos Papadatos is a journalist with 12,000 bylined articles. He’s the co-author of Manifesting Your Dreams which went No. 1 in three Amazon sections: swimming, sports biographies, and grief & bereavement. It was also recognized in Oprah Magazine. For 2020, he was named  "Best Long Island Personality," an honor that has gone to Billy Joel six times.  

Markos started writing about entertainment but got into swimming journalism in September of 2017 and is also the editor of two publications: The Digital Journal and Raver Magazine. 

Episode Topics and Mentions

Manifesting Your Dreams on Amazon

ISL, International Swimming League

Pay it forward

Greece

Country music

George Jones

Willy Nelson

Dolly Parton

George Strait

Merle Haggard

Zoom

Criss Angel

Paramount

Cody Miller

Patsy Cline

Hank Williams Jr.

Mary Chapin Carpenter

Martina McBride

Emmylou Harris

Bonnie Raitt

Piano

Caleb Dressel

Michael Andrew

Peter Andrew

Tina Andrew

Nathan Adrian

Ryan Murphy

Jason Leezak

Natalie Coughlin

Phillip Lim

Aaron Peirsol

Rowdy Gaines

Josh Davis

Takeaways

Kelly

1. The world can use more kindness and gentleness.
2. Punctuality is so important to being in the right mindset and shows respect to others. 

Maria

1. If it takes under two minutes, just do it. Don’t wait on things; if you can get it done, just do it.
2. Helping others makes your own work even more worthwhile. 

Quote of the Week: 

"Success is not success unless it is shared with other people."-- Markos Papadatos

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]

Keep up with the show by visiting ChampionsMojo.com and visiting the Facebook page, Instagram page, and Twitter page. 

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