Champions Mojo for Masters Swimmers

Kelly Palace, Masters Swimmer
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Swimming
  • Every two weeks

Welcome Masters swimmers, triathletes, and anyone striving to live well and swim well! Hear powerful interviews with world-class champions, leading experts, and everyday heroes—sharing tips, tools, and stories to boost your motivation, training, and life performance. Hosted by Kelly Palace, Masters Swimming Champion, coach, author, and former NCAA Division I head coach. A podcast that champions you!

  1. Legends Masters Architect and 200 Flyer Extraordinaire: Andy Kroupa, EP 317

    21 hr ago

    Legends Masters Architect and 200 Flyer Extraordinaire: Andy Kroupa, EP 317

    What does it take to build a thriving Masters swim club from scratch, manage a demanding corporate career, and still have the grit to chase top-10 national rankings in the grueling 200-meter butterfly? In this special on-deck interview from the Bumpy Jones Classic in Sarasota, Florida, Kelly sits down with Andy Kroupa—a true champion of the everyday swimming community. Andy isn't just an elite competitor; he is one of the foundational minds behind the powerhouse Legends Masters Swim Club in Orlando. Whether you are looking to reignite your own swimming journey after a long break, balancing a busy life outside the pool, or curious about what it takes to foster a legendary team culture, Andy’s story is a masterclass in leadership by example. Key Takeaways From This Episode: The Power of the Comeback: Andy shares how a simple invitation to help support his friends on a Key West relay sparked his return to competitive swimming after a 20-year hiatus.Building a Legacy: Discover the grassroots origin story of the Legends Masters Swim Club, and how Andy and a dedicated group channeled post-COVID transitions into creating a club that now boasts over 50 members and partners with icons like Rowdy Gaines.The 200 Fly Mindset: Training for the 200 Butterfly at age 57 takes a unique brand of dedication. Andy breaks down his weekly training routine, juggling 3,000-yard sets at lunch and early mornings around his corporate role as an insurance underwriting manager.A Culture of Gratitude: Andy shares a beautiful, behind-the-scenes memory of Olympic Champion Missy Franklin that reminds us all why the culture of swimming is so incredibly special.Champion's Mojo Review: This episode is the perfect reminder of why we love Masters swimming. You don't need a shoe sponsorship or an Olympic medal to be a legend in our sport—you just need the passion to show up, give back, and lead by example.Listen now to find your own mojo! If you enjoy smart, experience-based coaching from everyday champions, subscribe to Champions Mojo, share this episode with a training partner, and leave a review so more Masters swimmers can find the show. Thank you for listening! Email us at HELLO@ChampionsMojo.com. 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

    12 min
  2. Trading the High Profile for the Pool: Bethany Burchill’s Leap of Passion, EP 316

    25 Jun

    Trading the High Profile for the Pool: Bethany Burchill’s Leap of Passion, EP 316

    We meet Bethany Burchill, Manager Club and Member Services, US Masters Swimming and trace how she goes from swimmer to athletic director to an important position on the National Office Staff of US Masters Swimming.  Bethany's passion for swimming changed the trajectory of her well-established high-profile career as an athletic director. Her own love of the sport and her family's deep roots in swimming led her to follow her heart. We break down the most common questions USMS gets and how to quickly find a club that fits your goals, whether you want fitness, community, or competition.  • Bethany’s swimming background and her college events in the 400 IM, 200 fly, and distance  • Her sports administration path and why she wants to narrow her focus back to swimming  • What it’s like raising swimmers in Carmel, Indiana and why community support matters  • Why she relocates to Florida and joins US Masters Swimming  • The top member services questions about clubs, competitiveness, and getting started  • Using the USMS website and Club Finder to locate a program for home or travel  • Calling the USMS office for help and talking through what you need  • How club administration support helps new and existing clubs succeed  • Bethany’s fitness routine as a runner and what might bring her back to racing  More on US Masters Swimming at http://usms.org/ Would you consider leaving us a five star review on Apple? That's like getting a best time for us. Kelly and our team would be so grateful. See you next week for another boost of mojo. Email us at HELLO@ChampionsMojo.com. 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

    8 min
  3. From Pro Triathlete to Deck Referee: Why Officiating Swimming Is So Rewarding: Chet Goudy, EP 315

    15 Jun

    From Pro Triathlete to Deck Referee: Why Officiating Swimming Is So Rewarding: Chet Goudy, EP 315

    You can love swimming and still feel intimidated by the rulebook, the whistles, and the idea of disqualifying someone. That hesitation is exactly why we wanted an on-deck conversation with Chet Goudy, a USA Swimming deck referee, Masters swimmer, former college breaststroker, and former pro triathlete. He walks us through what a deck ref actually does, what it feels like to run a session from the pool deck, and why meets are always desperate for more well-trained officials. We also get personal about how people find their way back to the water. Chet shares the detour he took away from swimming in high school, the grind of returning for college, and the kind of “legendary” training that rewards durable athletes. From there we jump into Masters swimming culture with the Annapolis Breakfast Club, where 4,000-yard mornings are normal and “Fitness February” means 5,000 a day to build toward open water challenges like the Chesapeake Bay Swim. Then we zoom out to endurance sport and mindset. Chet explains how a coach transformed his triathlon training by making every session purposeful, controlled, and measurable, leading to a pro card and later a 13-week comeback plan to win a race after years away. If you’re a swim parent, a Masters swimmer, or someone curious about volunteering at swim meets, you’ll leave with clear next steps and a fresh view of what it means to support the sport. • deck referee responsibilities and how officiating is the best seat • becoming an official through apprenticeship and on-deck mentoring • why disqualifications help swimmers learn rather than punish them • the social side of officiating and why more officials make meets better • Masters  at the Annapolis Breakfast Club with 4,000 yard workouts • preparing for open water goals like the Chesapeake Bay Swim • “train on purpose” lessons from triathlon coaching and earning a pro card Subscribe for more conversations that help you live well and swim well, share this with a swim friend, and leave us a review if it helped you see the pool deck in a new way. Email us at HELLO@ChampionsMojo.com. 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

    16 min
  4. The Secret Clock of Aging: Telomeres, Longevity, and Peak Performance, EP 314

    4 Jun

    The Secret Clock of Aging: Telomeres, Longevity, and Peak Performance, EP 314

    Molecular biologist, gerontologist and Ultra Marathoner, Dr. Bill Andrews, a pioneer in telomere and telomerase research, sits down with Kelly and makes the case that telomere shortening is the most important clock driving human aging for healthy people and that real “rejuvenation” has to show up in function, not just numbers on a lab report. His blunt standard is the “Betty White test”: can you clearly tell which version of someone is younger by how they look, feel, and behave?  From there, we get practical for masters swimmers and endurance athletes. Bill breaks down the tug of war between telomere shortening and lengthening, why inflammation and oxidative stress speed up biological aging, and how training falls into a Goldilocks zone. Consistent movement can build immune tolerance, while sporadic extreme efforts can trigger unnecessary inflammation. We also cover stress reduction through yoga and meditation, and why tapering is a secret weapon for performance and recovery.  We also take on the risky side of the longevity marketplace: misleading telomere tests in blood, “anti-aging” tactics that can increase cell turnover, and the hype cycle around peptides, stem cells, and exosomes. Bill explains how he evaluates evidence with critical meta-analysis, shares what he’s seen from telomerase-activating ingredients, and points to tools like the ALCAT food sensitivity test and biological age testing to guide smarter choices.  • telomeres as chromosome end caps and why they shorten with each cell division • telomerase as the enzyme that can rebuild telomeres and the “tug of war” model • inflammation and oxidative stress as drivers of accelerated aging • endurance exercise as a Goldilocks effect plus the value of consistency and tapering • evolution’s case for aging and why Bill wants to outsmart it for individuals • Telovital as an example of telomerase activation plus limits of anecdotal results • why average telomere length in blood can rise without true telomere lengthening • how cosmetic resurfacing immune stimulation and some growth signals can backfire • peptides stem cells and exosomes through the lens of critical meta-analysis • practical steps like yoga meditation optimism anti-inflammatory diet and the ALCAT test. For more information on Dr. Bill Andrews https://sierrasci.com/ If you care about lifespan, healthspan, and staying fast in the water as you get longer lived, subscribe, share this with a training partner, and leave a review so more athletes can find the show. Email us at HELLO@ChampionsMojo.com. 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

    45 min
  5. Five Rules For Swimming Your Personal Best, EP 313

    26 May

    Five Rules For Swimming Your Personal Best, EP 313

    Coach Kelly Palace shares five rules for swimmers to achieve their personal best. We break down five repeatable rules Kelly has seen across hundreds of champions, from Olympic swimmers to NCAA standouts to masters legends. We talk about picking a goal that creates real emotional pull, then reverse engineering it into pace targets, meet choices, and bite sized milestones you can execute. We also get specific about the details that matter in masters swimming: which meets count for rankings and records, what to watch for with rules and registrations, and why “fast water” factors like pool depth, temperature, and air quality can change outcomes. The big takeaway is simple and demanding: consistency is the foundation, and mindset finishes the job. Expect the best, prepare for the worst, and stay ready to swim well on the messy day, not just the perfect one. If you are planning a new season, chasing a personal record, or making a comeback, this will give you a clear checklist you can use today.  • choosing a goal that feels emotionally exciting • breaking the goal into pace, steps, and meets • executing in the right meet with the right rules • looking for fast water and favourable conditions • building consistency as the performance foundation • expecting adversity and staying ready to race anyway Subscribe to Champions Mojo, share this with a training partner, and leave us a review if it helps, what goal are you going after next? Email us at HELLO@ChampionsMojo.com. 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

    17 min
  6. How to Create A Championship Culture: Greg Clink, EP 312

    17 May

    How to Create A Championship Culture: Greg Clink, EP 312

    Ever wonder what separates an average swim lane or team from a championship-level squad? Culture isn’t a poster on the wall—it’s the way your team operates on an ordinary Wednesday morning when you're staring at the black line and nobody is trying to be inspirational. In this episode, we sit down with Greg Clink, 3-time Coach of the Year in basketball, who's a leadership expert, to put a real definition around “championship culture” and make it completely usable for Masters swimmers, coaches, and anyone striving for high performance for a team in our out of the water. We break down what culture looks like in daily behaviors: how you communicate on the pool deck, how you treat your lane mates, and how to "confront the snowball" of small team conflicts before they turn into a full-blown avalanche. From masterfully using end-of-practice “put-ups” to motivate your teammates, to creating buy-in for specific roles, Greg shares simple, actionable tools you can take straight to your next workout or meeting. In this episode, we cover: Defining Team Culture: Why daily operations and standards matter more than big speeches.The Power of "Put-Ups": How to end practice by spotlighting winning behaviors you want repeated.Confronting the Snowball: A leadership mindset for spotting and solving small issues early.The Power of One: How much influence one person can have to shift a team's culture positively or negatively.Creating Ultimate Buy-In: Building pride, accountability, and trust across the entire roster.If you want a healthier, higher-performing team culture in Masters swimming, at work, or at home, dive into this conversation and take one idea into your next practice. For more from Greg visit www.GregClink.com Subscribe for more, share this with a teammate, and help us out—leaving a five-star review on Apple is like getting a best time for us, and our team would be so grateful! Email us at HELLO@ChampionsMojo.com. 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

    15 min
  7. A Firefighter Mom Returns To Racing And Wins Big, EP 311

    6 May

    A Firefighter Mom Returns To Racing And Wins Big, EP 311

    A 20-year break doesn’t have to be the end of your swimming story. Kelly catches Christina Campfort right on deck for a high-energy chat that hits on something a lot of former swimmers quietly wonder: can you really come back and race fast again after life happens? Christina’s answer is loud and clear. She’s 44, a firefighter and driver engineer, a mom with a newborn, a former college swimmer at the University of Miami, and she recently returned to masters swimming and won four national titles at the YMCA National Championships. We talk about the messy, honest side of being a swimmer: loving the thrill of racing while dreading practice, quitting in high school, returning for a breakthrough season, and later realizing that talent can only take you so far without consistent work. Christina shares how boxing reshaped her work ethic, and how that mindset now fuels her approach in the pool. If you’re looking for masters swimming motivation, sprint training ideas, or a realistic way to train around a demanding job, her low yardage, high intensity focus on speed, tempo, and timing will land. Christina also opens up about life in the fire service, including years in the inner city, the transition to an airport station, and the safety discipline required on taxiways and runways. We connect the dots between athletic training and high-stakes work: staying calm, staying sharp, and showing up prepared. Then we look ahead to her next target, the Police and Fire Games and the World Police and Fire Games in Australia, where she already has her sights set on the competition. • getting back into masters swimming after a long break and finding the right practice group • swimming at the University of Miami, shoulder surgery, and stepping away from competition • loving racing, hating practice, and what she would change about her younger work ethic • building a masters training plan around shifts with low yardage, high intensity sprint work • life as a firefighter and driver engineer, including the move to an airport station • staying safe on taxiways and runways by assuming mistakes can happen • using swim discipline to handle fire academy and medic school demands • setting goals for the US Police and Fire Games and the World Police and Fire Games Subscribe for more stories that help you live well and swim well, share this with a friend who “used to swim,” and leave a review if the conversation sparks something in you. What goal would get you back on the starting blocks? Let us know.... Email us at HELLO@ChampionsMojo.com. 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

    13 min
  8. How Ultra Swims Build Resilience: Oceans Seven Challenger, Steve "Moby" Leitch, EP 310

    24 Apr

    How Ultra Swims Build Resilience: Oceans Seven Challenger, Steve "Moby" Leitch, EP 310

    Fewer than 50 people on the planet have completed the Oceans Seven Challenge. Putting that in perspective over 7,000 people have summited Mt. Everest , Steve “Moby” Leitch is one swim away from being in such an elite club. You can train for months and still get humbled in minutes when the ocean decides to change the rules. After swimming the Strait of Gibraltar from Europe to Africa, elite endurance athlete, Steve “Moby” Leitch, joins us to break down what makes ultra marathon open water swimming so unforgiving: funnelled currents where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, tight wind restrictions, and real-world hazards like commercial freighters. Steve is a member of the Greenville Splash Masters in South Carolina and is coached by Carolyn Moore and Leslie Scott. We also go deeper than one crossing. Steve shares how he returned to swimming after decades away, how 15+ years of sobriety reshaped his definition of strength, and why these Ocean Seven Challenge swims are “sweat equity” that helps fund long-term sobriety living facilities. Along the way we talk about the behind-the-scenes reality that most highlights never show: nausea, cramps, cold water, sleep struggles, and the mental handbrake that tries to pull you out before your body is actually done. What makes this conversation special is the inspiration and the team element. Steve explains how his wife Kelly supports him on the boat with preparation, feeding, and calm communication under pressure, and why that partnership has strengthened their marriage. If you’re a masters swimmer, triathlete, or anyone searching for practical endurance training advice, you’ll take away a clear framework: train for the worst day, keep your self-talk simple, and anchor every hard stroke to a purpose bigger than the finish. You'll hear: • why the Strait of Gibraltar is uniquely hard with currents, wind rules, and shipping traffic • how Steve returns to swimming after decades away and builds a life around faith, family, and sobriety • why (Steve's wife) Kelly’s role on the boat matters and how their swim communication strengthens their marriage • what “endurance” means beyond fitness and how training for worst-case conditions builds it • how sprint work, strength training, mobility, and sleep support long channel swims • mental self-talk in the pain cave and the simple reset of one stroke at a time • English Channel and Cook Strait moments with cramps, sickness, cold, and being pushed off course • using an honest past to help others through addiction recovery and long-term sobriety housing • what a champion mindset means when you stop trying to fit in • the final Ocean Seven target with Catalina and why the next swim is always the hardest If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs a comeback story, and leave us a review so more swimmers can find the show. Email us at HELLO@ChampionsMojo.com. 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

    46 min
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About

Welcome Masters swimmers, triathletes, and anyone striving to live well and swim well! Hear powerful interviews with world-class champions, leading experts, and everyday heroes—sharing tips, tools, and stories to boost your motivation, training, and life performance. Hosted by Kelly Palace, Masters Swimming Champion, coach, author, and former NCAA Division I head coach. A podcast that champions you!

Information

  • Creator
    Kelly Palace, Masters Swimmer
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    316
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Champions Mojo for Masters Swimmers
  • Show Website
    Champions Mojo for Masters Swimmers

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