Champions Mojo for Masters Swimmers

With over 50 World Records and a Masters Hall of Fame induction, you might think the average swimmer doesn't have much in common with the legendary David Guthrie—but you’d be surprised.
At age 66, he considers himself as fragile as a "teacup." He’s battled debilitating injuries, navigated career curveballs, and learned from his fair share of training mistakes. So how do you continue breaking world records across three straight decades when your body keeps trying to break down?
In this pool-deck interview from the Pegasus Masters Meet in Dallas, TX, Hall of Famer David Guthrie breaks down his exact philosophy on race-pace training, tissue recovery, and why most Masters swimmers are training completely wrong.
Inside this episode, you’ll discover:
The Junk Yardage Trap: Why obsessing over daily total volume leads to a "glide path to stagnation"—and how to shift toward quality intensity.
The World-Record 4x50s Set: David’s exact "bread and butter" workout to build 200m race pace and condition your mind for late-race pain.
The "Teacup" Athlete Dilemma: Why elite adult swimmers are constantly on the verge of breaking down.
The Sleep Position Fix: The surprisingly simple posture tweak that eliminated 18 months of severe SI joint and lower-back pain overnight.
Harvesting Low-Hanging Fruit: Why chasing marginal gains in your best stroke is wasting your time—and where your biggest speed breakthroughs are actually hiding.
Stingray Paddles & Life Lessons: David’s entrepreneurial comeback story and his ultimate advice on taking care of your future self.
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

It's all about the catch! If you get this right you'll feel powerful and protect your shoulders. You'll hear it in detail from NCAA Championship and Olympic-level swim coach Kim Brackin, Founder of Brackin Elite Swim Training (BEST) who breaks down how everyday Masters swimmers can build a powerful, "connected" stroke that protects their joints and drives maximum propulsion.
Kim also shares the cues and drills she leans on as a masters swimmer herself, including stroke balance work, skulling for feel, and simple kick progressions that help you find rhythm and propulsion.
You’ll discover:
Body Position over Brute Force 
The simple fix to engage your lats
Why dropping your hand first destroys your power
The Shoulder-Saving Catch Adjustment
3 Essential Masters Drills
The Gym Setup
In the Tampa Bay, FL Area?
MASTERS & FITNESS SWIM CLINIC WITH KIM BRACKIN and OLYMPIC COACH DAVID MARSH
 REGISTER HERE
One morning of elite coaching — tailored for adult swimmers of all levels
Sunday, September 6, 2026 • Starting at 9:00 AM
North Shore Aquatics Center • Home of Brackin Elite Swim Training • St. Petersburg, FL 
If this helps, subscribe, share the episode with a lane mate, and leave a review so more masters swimmers can find their 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

Host Kelly Palace and Guest Co-Host Mark Palace sit down with world-ranked, All-American Masters swimmer (and CPA!) 46-Year Old Ryan Kloppe for an action-packed dive into performance hacks, smart gear, and real-life swimming wisdom. Whether you’re looking to scientifically optimize your pre-race warm-up, level up your gear bag, or just hear one of the most unique underwater marriage proposals ever, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and genuine inspiration you won’t want to miss. Ryan is a member of the Blue Dolfins Masters in Orlando, FL.
In This Episode, You’ll Discover:
The Mindset Flip: How Ryan transformed a devastating false-start DQ into fuel for his best performance yet.
Conquering Open Water Jitters: The hilariously effective “bacon and sharks” mind trick for staying calm when you can’t see the bottom.
Warm-Up Science Decoded: Why your race-day heart rate might be betraying your readiness—and how to structure your warm-up to fix it.
The Ultimate Gear Bag Breakdown: From Finis Slip Fins to Stroke Maker paddles, the exact gear setup behind an All-American's routine.
Data & Tech Hacks: High-tech tracking with the PHLex heart rate monitor and what post-swim metrics actually tell you about your training.
Lessons Beyond the Pool: Why MMA training and skateboarding translated into better swimming longevity, focus, and hands-on skills.
Pure Masters Romance: How Ryan met his wife at lane practice—and the underwater proposal that sealed the deal!
Work Hard, Play Hard: Balancing a demanding career as a CPA with elite-level training and a passion for cable wakeboarding on glassy water.

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.

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

Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Ryan Held sits down with host Kelly Palace in an on-deck interview at the Pegasus Masters meet in Dallas, Texas. Since retiring from professional swimming, Ryan has relocated to Prosper, Texas, stepped into the joys of fatherhood, and transitioned his relationship with the pool through Masters Swimming.
What happens when you strip away the pressure of professional contracts, intense college training regimens, and the constant stress of making international teams? You find the pure, unfiltered love of the sport.
Ryan opens up about his new, incredibly efficient training routine (just three hours a week!), his experience diving into local Masters meets, and the pure fun of racing events like the 200 IM "just because." He also shares some hilarious on-deck moments—including a scoreboard malfunction that briefly gave him a world-record fly split—and reveals his newfound passion for culinary arts, from perfecting beef empanadas to diving deep into the science of flavor.
Whether you are an elite competitor, a Masters swimmer, or anyone searching for a healthier, more joyful balance in your daily life, Ryan’s refreshing perspective on "enjoying the ride" will leave you inspired.
Would you consider leaving us a five star review on Apple? It will help more people find the show and get their mojo moving. Thank you!

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

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