Champion's Mojo for Masters Swimmers

• The Secret to Olympic & Masters Legend Rick Colella's Lifelong Success, EP 281

  Ready for an extraordinary tale of athletic longevity? At 73 years old Rick Colella's swimming journey spans from Olympic medals to over 50 Masters World records, proving that athletic excellence knows no age limits.Colella's remarkable career began with a fourth-place finish at the 1972 Munich Olympics, followed by a bronze medal in Montreal in 1976. But what happened after his Olympic glory makes his story truly exceptional. While most elite swimmers hang up their goggles after reaching competitive peaks, Colella never fully left the water. This consistent connection with swimming—even during his decades-long Boeing career—has become his secret weapon for sustained excellence into his 70s.Now competing in the 70-74 age group with Puget Sound Masters, Colella has rewritten the record books with over 120 national records and more than 50 world records. His training approach combines old-school discipline with modern technique refinements. Despite his Olympic pedigree, Colella humbly embraced coaching feedback that completely transformed his stroke mechanics later in life. "Your breaststroke timing is terrible," his coach bluntly told him—feedback that helped him adapt to modern techniques and continue breaking records.What drives someone to maintain such dedication for decades? Colella's answer is refreshingly simple: "I just love swimming. I guess I'm not even sure I recognize how much I like it, except that I must, because I never stopped doing it." This passion extends beyond personal achievement. After their son's diagnosis with FSHD muscular dystrophy, Rick and his wife Terry founded a research nonprofit, Friends of FSHD, that now raises nearly $1 million annually—connections he credits largely to his swimming network. The organization is all-volunteer.  We have no paid staff and our sponsors cover 100% of our operating and fundraising expenses. This means that 100% of donations to Friends goes directly to fund research. Rick Colella has emerged as a legendary figure in American swimming through his extraordinary Olympic career and record-breaking achievements in Masters swimming at age 70+.• Bronze medalist in the 1976 Montreal Olympics after finishing fourth in Munich in 1972• Set more than 120 Masters national records and over 50 world records• Trains six days a week with Puget Sound Masters at age 70+• Never fully stopped swimming after his Olympic career, maintaining consistency throughout his life• Found working with a coach after years of self-directed training revealed technique flaws that needed correction• Discovered that mental preparation and attitude significantly impact performance, even decades after Olympic competition• Co-founded Friends of FSHD Research with his wife after their son's muscular dystrophy diagnosis• Organization has grown from raising $180,000 in first year to nearly $1 million annually• Emphasizes consistency as the key to swimming success at any age• Enjoys the intergenerational aspects of Masters swimming and the supportive communityWhether you're seeking inspiration for your own athletic journey or curious about the mindset of champions, Colella's story demonstrates how passion, consistency, and community create a foundation for lifelong achievement. What might you accomplish if you never stopped doing what you love?Email us at [email protected]. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.

  --------  

  47:29
• Mastering Mindset: All-American Sara Dunn Navigates Life’s Hardships, from Injury to Grief, EP 281

  When life throws its hardest challenges—divorce, injuries, the loss of a beloved parent, and the relentless pace of a demanding career—what keeps a champion going? For Sara Henninger Dunn, it’s the unshakable mindset she’s honed since her days as a collegiate All-American swimmer and her enduring relationship with the water. In this inspiring episode of Champion’s Mojo, Sara shares how a fierce mental toughness, built from years of competitive swimming, helped her navigate life’s toughest lanes with grace and resilience.Sara opens up about rediscovering swimming after a 20-year break, how the pool became her sanctuary during the grieving process, and why staying active is her ultimate form of self-care amidst a hectic work life. She also shares the rituals, routines, and mindset hacks—like wearing handmade bracelets with personal mantras—that keep her grounded and focused. Whether you’re an athlete, a professional juggling life’s demands, or someone seeking inspiration to overcome personal hurdles, Sara’s journey reminds us that it’s not just about winning races—it’s about winning at life.Tune in for a heartfelt conversation packed with wisdom on grit, reinvention, and the healing power of community and movement.Sara Dunn, state, national, and world record breaker in US Master Swimming, shares her incredible journey of returning to competitive swimming after a 20-year break following an injury in 2015. Her story demonstrates how passion for swimming can transcend time and how the right mindset can lead to continued success at any age.• Returned to swimming after a serious ankle injury prevented land-based cardio exercise• Earned All-American honors (top time nationally) consistently since returning to competition• Uses personal mantras like "make good choices" and "we don't do that anymore" as mental tools• Sets goal times as her phone lock screen for constant motivation and focus• Defines success as being better than she was the day before, not comparing to college-age times• Values the SwimMac Masters community as family who support her in and out of the pool• Recently became chair of North Carolina Master Swimming• Maintains a consistent schedule: swimming Sunday/Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday, lifting Monday/Wednesday• Would advise her college-age self to "never stop swimming"Find Sara through US Masters Swimming or connect with your local masters swimming program to experience the joys of lifelong swimming in a supportive community.Email us at [email protected]. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.

  --------  

  32:46
• 60-Mile Shark Swim: How Lewis Pugh Toughs It Out to Save Our Oceans, EP 280

  On May 26, 2025, Lewis Pugh completed one of his most daring feats yet — a 60-mile swim around Martha’s Vineyard in icy, shark-filled waters. Undertaken to coincide with the 50th anniversary of movie Jaws, Lewis’s swim was a powerful statement to change the narrative about sharks and raise urgent awareness for ocean conservation. While this swim captured headlines, the deeper story lies in Lewis’s relentless mission to protect our planet’s most fragile ecosystems.In this powerful re-release of one of our most inspiring conversations to date, Lewis reveals what truly drives him to swim in the world’s most extreme conditions — from the North Pole to Antarctica — and how he uses courage, purpose, and diplomacy to create real change. If you want to understand how one person can push past fear, endure the impossible, and help save the oceans, this is the interview you need to hear.Lewis Pugh, the UN Patron of the Oceans and only person to complete long-distance swims in every ocean on Earth, shares his extraordinary journey of swimming in Earth's most extreme waters to raise awareness for ocean protection and climate change. Through his pioneering "speedo diplomacy," Lewis has helped create marine protected areas covering approximately two million square kilometers while developing powerful mindsets for facing seemingly impossible challenges.• Swimming in sub-zero waters where "every part of you says get out immediately"• Using extreme cold water swims to demonstrate the reality of climate change• Following the Japanese martial arts concept of "shuhari" to master swimming and advocacy• Creating marine protected areas like "national parks for the oceans"• Applying "speedo diplomacy" to influence government policies on ocean conservation• Building self-belief by "stacking" different sources of confidence before difficult challenges• Finding your purpose by "drilling deep" until you discover what you were truly meant to do• Using "fuss bait" (holding tight) when facing life's most difficult challenges• Taking responsibility as swimmers to be stewards for ocean protectionLewis believes we have a duty to protect this magnificent place for our children and grandchildren, and if people do that, then we have a future.Whether you're a competitive swimmer, an environmental advocate, or simply someone searching for purpose, Lewis Pugh's journey offers profound inspiration. Listen now to discover how courage can be trained like a muscle, how persistence can change the world, and how finding your purpose can transform the seemingly impossible into reality.Email us at [email protected]. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.

  --------  

  53:47
• How a Swimming Prodigy Rediscovered Her Love for the Sport: Becca Mann, EP 279

  Pro Swimmer, Author, Screenwriter, Becca Mann's journey redefines what it means to be a swimming prodigy who grows beyond the confines of early success. At just 10 years old, she completed the 15K Maui channel, becoming the youngest to do so. By her teens, she was a seven-time US National Team member and two-time national champion. But after narrowly missing Olympic qualification three times, Becca made the courageous decision to step away from competitive swimming altogether.What happened during those five years away from racing forms the emotional core of our conversation. Becca speaks candidly about needing to discover who she was beyond the lane lines. She pursued her passion for writing, earning a BFA in screenwriting from USC and working on hit shows like "The Morning Show." She traveled solo, climbed mountains, and experienced the unstructured life she'd never known during her regimented swimming career.Her path back began unexpectedly through Masters swimming at West Hollywood Aquatics, where she jumped into lane one and "almost died that first practice."  Becca reveals. "I was always swimming the 1500 at Olympic trials." That return to the water sparked a realization: "How did I not swim for two years? This is what I love. This is who I am."Becca opens up about her experiences with OCD, describing how intrusive thoughts affect her and the tools she's developed to manage them. Rather than seeing her mental health challenges as obstacles, she explores how neurodivergence shapes both her athletic career and creative pursuits. Her memoir "Outside the Lanes" documents this journey with raw honesty.Now training in North Carolina with Olympic swimmer Ashley Twitchell, Becca has her sights set on qualifying for the national team and potentially even the 2028 Olympics. At the end of our conversation, when asked what word comes to mind when she's in the water, her answer is immediate and profound: "Peace."Ready to dive deeper into stories of athletic resilience and transformation? Subscribe to Champions Mojo and join our community celebrating comeback champions and lifelong swimmers.Email us at [email protected]. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.

  --------  

  34:07
• A 34 Year Winning Streak: Pro Triathlete Turned Masters Swimmer, Laurie Hug, EP 278

  Do you have a streak going? Laurie Hug, retired professional triathlete and masters swimmer, shares her 34 year streak, training wisdom and remarkable journey from the deck of YMCA Masters Nationals Championships in Orlando. Her approach to swimming, coaching, and competition showcases how consistency, smart training, and positive mindset contribute to athletic longevity and continued success at the highest levels. Laurie is a member the 1776 Masters and swims in the 60-64 age-group.Laurie List:• Coaches swimmers of all levels in the Philadelphia area with 1776 team• Recommends swimming at least three times weekly for beginners to make real progress• Adapts training for triathletes based on race distance, sometimes incorporating recovery swims• Swims daily with a rotating group of 13 friends, many former college swimmers• Incorporates strength training twice weekly alongside focused stroke/IM work• Overcame undiagnosed anemia that severely impacted performance in her 30s• Shares key differences between pool and open water swimming techniques• Has a 31 year streak going, can you guess what it is?• Transformed mindset during difficult races to maintain performanceEmail us at [email protected]. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.

  --------  

  17:02

More Health & Wellness podcasts

Trending Health & Wellness podcasts

About Champion's Mojo for Masters Swimmers