Get ready to take notes as we sit down with Shirley Loftus, a 71-year-old swimming powerhouse who is smashing records and redefining the limits of age. She's not just keeping up with, but outpacing, her competition by a staggering three minutes in her age group - after recovering from a shoulder surgery. Shirley's secret? An intensive, well-rounded training regimen of six days a week, including working with a sprint coach and a mid-distance coach, and pairing up with a fellow distance swimmer for grueling sessions with little rest. Listen to how she's transformed her performance by incorporating these sprint workouts into her routine.

In the second half, we delve into Shirley's motivations and goal-setting habits that keep her striving for more than just records. She reveals her desire to swim all 18 events in a year, and her enduring hope of excelling in another stroke, a testament to her never-ending pursuit of challenges. Discover which she thinks is the hardest event of them all and why. This is an episode that beautifully captures the spirit of persistence, the power of setting incremental goals, and, above all, the sheer joy of swimming. Tune in and let Shirley's incredible story inspire you to reach for your own athletic summits.

Email us at [email protected]. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.

Check out Kelly's Books at www.KellyPalace.com

What would it feel like to swim the fastest time in the country in the 200 Fly at age 60-64? Discover the exhilarating journey with Val Van Horn Pate, an exceptional swimmer who just achieved this remarkable feat. She spills the beans about her experience, her mindset, and strategies that led to this triumph. Feel the thrill as she recounts the ups and downs of her ride, offering an honest insight into the ecstasy of reaching the end goal.

This episode takes a deep dive into Val's training schedule under the incredible guidance of her coach, Mark Kutz. She shares her unique perspective on swimming as a spiritual experience, a freeing sensation that provides an escape from everything else. Whether you're interested in swimming, sports psychology, or simply want to understand the drive to push one's boundaries, Val's story will inspire and motivate you! So, come onboard to uncover the secrets behind this swimming sensation's success.

Email us at [email protected]. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.

Check out Kelly's Books at www.KellyPalace.com

Austin Williamson has found love as a fresh addition to the world of master swimming. Austin's story is anything but typical; at age 37, originally seeking to improve his swimming skills for competing in an Ironman event, he found himself diving headfirst into the world of competitive swimming. It was not just the thrill of the race that captivated him, but also the profound impact on his health, particularly his long-standing back problems. The techniques and strength developed through swimming have provided Austin with relief and a newfound love for the sport.

The conversation with Austin is not only inspiring, but it's also infectious. His passion for swimming, his dedication to mastering the techniques, and his joy at finding a sport that doubles as a remedy for health issues, is profoundly uplifting. What makes Austin's story even more compelling is his testament to the lifelong benefits of swimming, inspired by fellow masters swimmer Willard Lamb who continued to break records well into his 100s. 

Austin swims for the iconic Masters Swim Coach Jim Miller as as member of Virginia Masters Swim Team and the River City workout group.

Listening to Austin, you too might feel the pull of the pool, a reminder that swimming isn't just a sport – it’s a journey of self-discovery, healing and high performance. And the friendships are the best! 

Email us at [email protected]. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.

Check out Kelly's Books at www.KellyPalace.com

Do sweaty palms and a racing heart ruin your performance on race day? Fear not, this episode of Champion's Mojo is here to turn your nervousness into a superpower. Kelly Palace, host and mental performance coach, shares five invaluable strategies to transform your race day mindset. From embracing your nerves to crushing the comparison monster, Kelly's advice is drawn from her coaching experience and interviews with confidence coaches, sports psychologists, and Olympians. 

You'll be reminded to stay focused on the process, not the outcome, and to remember that every performance is a learning opportunity. 

Kelly also introduces the concept of a 'confidence credit card.' This is a plastic card that was gifted to participants at the 2023 Summer US Masters Swimming Nationals. The card guides you to channel positive emotions and achieve optimal performance. If you would like a confidence credit card, email us at [email protected]

This episode will inspire you to bring out your inner champion. Don't forget to stay in your lane and this episode will guide you towards your best performance yet!

Email us at [email protected]. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.

Check out Kelly's Books at www.KellyPalace.com

"It's all mental" says Irish Holland, elite masters swimmer. And when your mental performance crashes, sometimes we need a do-over. In this episode we meet Irish  a 43-year-old champion swimmer from the North Carolina Masters. This episode unravels Irish's tale of bouncing back from a disappointing performance at the nationals by turning towards mental fortitude. She opens up about her struggle with negativity, the power of a supportive team, and the significance of her mental state in achieving her goals.

Irish's experiences serve as a testament to the strength of a positive mindset, rigorous training, and the willpower to not end a season on a negative note.  She gave herself a do-over. Would you do the same?

Email us at [email protected]. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.

Check out Kelly's Books at www.KellyPalace.com

We catch up with Masters Swimmer and Urologist Dr. Jason Szobota ( who swims for the Virginia Masters Swim Team and Coach Mark Kutz ) to get some on deck inspiration regarding how swimming helps our sexual health. You'll also learn some great tips on how to be a good parent of a young athlete, as Jason's son Nathan is one of the USA's top swimmers, but the Szobota parents' approach as swim parents might surprise you. How does a busy physician fit in his training? You'll get some ideas and insights that will be sure to help you find your MOJO. Tune in now....

Email us at [email protected]. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.

Check out Kelly's Books at www.KellyPalace.com

What if you are having trouble getting your heart rate high enough in practice to mimic a swim meet race and then feeling awful in the meet? This show covers the answer to a  listeners email question that you might have as well. Masters Swim Coach and Host Kelly Palace, dives into the nitty-gritty details of heart rate monitoring and how you can get your heart rate up in practice to improve your tempo, power, heart rate.....and meet performance!

Episode mentions:
To calculate your maximum heart rate calculate 220 minus your age. ie, If you are 50 years old 220-50=170.  So your max heart rate would be 170 beats per minute.

Heart Rate Zones
1 gray- recovery/warm up, enjoyable light 50-59% of max
2 blue-aerobic, 60-69% of max
3 green-high aerobic, 70-79% of max
4 orange/yellow-anaerobic, 80-89% of max
5-red resistance/stress/immediate power, 90-100% of max

Swim Tether www.swimtether.com for resistance training band/belt for in the water power.  There are other brands for static swimming.

Workout mention with swim tether

Start off with 5 x 20 strokes all out, speed, with small powerful kicking and fast arm turn over. Get heart rate after and it should be in the red zone, or go harder. No breathing is optimal. Rest 45 to 60 seconds. You can work up to  10 x 20 strokes, then 10 x 30 strokes. Doing this 2 to start and work up to 3 times per week will get your heart rate up and add power and tempo to your freestyle. 

Email us at [email protected]. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.

Check out Kelly's Books at www.KellyPalace.com

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 secret to success and the importance of being a team player. From discussing what goes through her mind when she enters the water to sharing an anecdote about her skin cancer surgery, you won't want to miss this insightful episode. And who knows, you might just be motivated to join a relay team yourself! 

Don't forget to leave a review on iTunes and connect with us on social media to let us know what you think of the show.

Email us at [email protected]. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.

Check out Kelly's Books at www.KellyPalace.com

Masters swimming legend Cav Cavanaugh, an 87-year-old world champion, has been making big waves in the pool for an incredible 80 years! Cav shares with us the secret to his success, which goes beyond just competing – it's all about the camaraderie and friendships he has built throughout his eight decades as a swimmer. 

Join us for this heartwarming conversation as Cav learns about breaking a 40-year-old record from his champion swimmer wife, Debbie. They have been supporting each other as a couple in their swimming journeys for decades.  This episode is an inspiring testament to how swimming can be a lifelong passion that brings people together, and how age is just a number when it comes to chasing your dreams.  

You are sure to be inspired and gain some valuable insights. 

Email us at [email protected]. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.

Check out Kelly's Books at www.KellyPalace.com

Today's guest lost 135 pounds after finally unlocking her own health mystery.  Meet Sherry Bogue, a long time member of the St. Pete Masters and avid  swimmer. In our conversation, Sherry opens up about her incredible journey, sharing the pivotal moment when she found a doctor who finally listened to her and became an essential part of her transformation.

Join us as Sherry shares her insights on the power of determination, embracing a healthy lifestyle, and the unique and uplifting way she approaches her swimming competitions, as well as the importance of taking small steps to achieve your goals. Throughout this journey, she received immense support from friends, family, and her swimming team, the St. Pete Masters. 

You'll be inspired and uplifted with this episode! 

Email us at [email protected]. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.

Check out Kelly's Books at www.KellyPalace.com