Rowdy Gaines is the feature of this episode’s Road Trip Segment where he speaks with host Kelly Palace about the role that enthusiasm has played in his success in the pool and in life. He credits his father’s big personality and his four daughters for feeding his enthusiasm in life, as well as a genuine love for swimming. He says the keys to his success in swimming and life are a sense of responsibility, dedication to the sport or career, teamwork and taking risks. 

Kelly Palace and co-host Maria Parker also share their own stories about how enthusiasm can make or break a goal and the experience.  

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More About Rowdy Gaines

Rowdy Gaines is a three-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming and holds 12 U.S. national championships. In 2015, he was recognized with the USA Swimming Award, the most prestigious award one can receive for contributions to the sport. He is an avid lifelong swimmer and an outspoken US Masters swimmer who hosts the Rowdy Gaines classic meet in Orlando each year. He is in the International Swimming Hall of Fame and the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. Gaines has served as a swimming analyst for ESPN and NBA Sports for swimming for the past seven summer Olympics. 

Episode Topics and Mentions

US Masters Swimming

Michael Phelps

Summer Sanders

Angel Martino

Katie Ledecky

Missy Franklin

Molly Hannis

Nathan Adrian

Cody Miller

Michael Andrew

Peter Andrew

Eddie Reese

Richard Quick

Tina Andrew

Kaitlin Sandeno

Mark Spitz

Tiger Woods

Serena Williams

Game of Thrones

Grandchildren

Idaho

Florida

Hawaii

Indiana University

YMCA

NBC Sports

ESPN

Summer Olympics

“Rowdy Rising”

NCAA Swimming

International Swimming Hall of Fame

U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame

Pro Swim Series

International Swimming League

Backstroke flags

Underwaters - the “fifth stroke”

Swimming lessons

Action Items From the Hosts 

Maria: If you don’t feel passionate about something, pick something to start aiming to achieve and then move in that direction. 

Kelly: Find a “why” for your enthusiasm and focus on what value you are bringing to the table. Take one step at a time.

Quote of the Week: 

“Success consists of going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.” - Winston Churchill

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