Champions Mojo for Masters Swimmers

Fear of Water to Nationally Ranked Masters Swimmer: Brian Bergford Episode 117


Listen Later

How does a person face, and overcome, their worst fears? How can you face your own stories about yourself -- and change them for the better?

Peak performance coach Brian Bergford faced a lifelong fear of having his head submerged in water at the age of 30, when he decided to confront it. Today he is a record-setting Masters swimmer and he joins the show to share his journey with Kelly and Maria -- along with tips for listeners on confronting fears.
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 BRIAN BERGFORD


Brian Bergford is a peak performance coach and a champion Masters swimmer.  Despite having a debilitating fear of having his face submerged in water since early childhood, Brian eventually tackled his fear head-on by taking up swimming at the age of 30. He took swimming lessons, joined a Masters swimming program. A little less than 5 years later, he had qualified in 4 events and was competing at the US Masters Swimming National Championships. He has since medaled in 13 USMS National Championship races, is a four-time state champion and holds 4 USMS top 10 times.

Brian is also Certified Dog Trainer (IACP-CDT) and is a dog behavioral specialist. He is a former vice president and member of the board of directors for the International Association of Canine Professionals, and is the owner of Altitude Dog Training and Uptown Dog in Longmont, Colorado. His expertise of the interplay between dog behavior and human psychology gave rise to his first book, Transformational Dog Training: Bring Out the Best in Your Dog by Bringing Out the Best in Yourself.


Episode Topics and Mentions

Dogs

Dog training

Dog behavior

International Association of Dog Trainers - look up

Altitude Dog Training - look up

Transformational Dog Training - book look up by Brian

Water phobia

Masters swimming

Michael Phelps

Rock climbing

Fear versus phobia

Systematic desensitization

BergfordPerformance.com


Takeaways

Maria

You will experience the range of “emotional guests” -- but don’t let the negative ones get comfortable. At the same time, welcome the good ones and don’t question them. 

Kelly

Don’t tolerate your own B.S. Own your fears and phobias. 
Quote of the Week

“Sometimes when we think we’re worn down and we’re really tired and we need a break, what we really need is to be inspired.” -- Brian Bergford

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.

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

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Champions Mojo for Masters SwimmersBy Kelly Palace, Masters Swim Journalist

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

114 ratings


More shows like Champions Mojo for Masters Swimmers

View all
Fresh Air by NPR

Fresh Air

38,499 Listeners

The Joe Rogan Experience by Joe Rogan

The Joe Rogan Experience

229,121 Listeners

The Effortless Swimming Podcast by Brenton Ford

The Effortless Swimming Podcast

97 Listeners

How I Built This with Guy Raz by Guy Raz | Wondery

How I Built This with Guy Raz

30,232 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

112,734 Listeners

Dhru Purohit Show by Dhru Purohit

Dhru Purohit Show

3,508 Listeners

WHOOP Podcast by WHOOP

WHOOP Podcast

655 Listeners

Life in Motion by Illumine Collect

Life in Motion

20 Listeners

Dateline NBC by NBC News

Dateline NBC

47,758 Listeners

The SwimSwam Podcast by SwimSwam

The SwimSwam Podcast

129 Listeners

Social Kick • Swim Culture & Stories by Social Kick

Social Kick • Swim Culture & Stories

41 Listeners

The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

16,053 Listeners

New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce by Wondery

New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

18,079 Listeners

The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show by Dr. Gabrielle Lyon

The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show

1,187 Listeners

Unfiltered Waters by Katie Hoff / Missy Franklin

Unfiltered Waters

276 Listeners