In an encore presentation, we sit down with Dr. Colleen Hacker, Olympic mental performance consultant and author of Achieving Excellence: Mastering Mindset for Peak Performance in Sport and Life, to unpack the real tools champions use when it counts. No fluff here—just clear methods backed by science and forged in the fire of world-class competition.

We start by redefining confidence as a moving target and show how to build it by fixing your focus. If you’re replaying missed sessions, old results, or an opponent’s best times, your attention is fueling doubt. Dr. Hacker shares a practical reset: direct focus to controllables—race plans, turns, breath patterns, fueling windows—and let confidence follow. From there, we dig into the split most athletes miss: the brain that builds skill is not the brain that unleashes it. Training is analysis; performance is trust. Her race-day cue, “easy speed,” helps you shed tightness, stop micromanaging, and let your timing run.

We also get honest about pain. Instead of treating it like a threat, Dr. Hacker frames discomfort as the separator—the price of entry to personal records. You can make pain go away by backing off, but you’ll also forfeit your best. For masters athletes, we explore how wisdom, intrinsic motivation, and an appetite for science become competitive edges. We break down the four pillars of peak performance and show why you must train all four systematically to avoid leaving potential on the table. Expect actionable tools: breathing and mindfulness to balance arousal, imagery and self-talk to prime performance, and precise recovery strategies around sleep, hydration, and glycogen timing.

We wrap with a clear challenge: mental skills work when you do the work. If you’re ready to move from knowing to doing, this encore will give you the language, the structure, and the daily habits to get there. Follow the show, share this episode with a training partner, and leave a quick review to help more athletes find us. Want more? Grab Kelly’s new book False Cure and stay tuned for our 2026 reboot with fresh weekly conversations to keep your mojo strong.

Kelly's new book www.False-Cure.com

Email us at HELLO@ChampionsMojo.com. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.

Hello friends, it’s Kelly. You may have noticed I’ve been away from the show for over a month—the longest break I’ve taken in more than seven years of podcasting. The reason is deeply personal: my father passed away in August at the age of 95. I’ve spent these weeks with him, with family, remembering him, celebrating his life, and navigating the bittersweet gift of grief.

In this episode, I want to honor my dad, who first taught me how to swim. Through his simple “swim to Daddy” lessons on Lake Barcroft, he gave me some of the most profound truths I’ve carried into every stage of my life as a swimmer, coach and person.

I’ll share five swim and life lessons my late father passed on to me—about courage, trust, health, joy, and resilience. My hope is that these lessons touch your life the way they’ve touched mine, whether you’re a swimmer or not.

I'm happy to be back at the mic and look forward to connecting again with you soon!

Email us at HELLO@ChampionsMojo.com. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.

Jennifer Comfort is a USAT-certified triathlon coach, Ironman triathlete, and open water swim observer whose approach to performance blends endurance, mindfulness, and a deep respect for inner stillness.

Jennifer didn’t start her journey as a seasoned pro. In fact, during her first triathlon 20 years ago, she basically dog paddled through the swim, terrified to put her face in the water. Today, she’s a multiple-time Ironman and 70.3 finisher, a Boston Marathon qualifier, and a respected coach guiding adult athletes at all levels. She leads open water swim workouts on the Columbia River and supports world-class endurance swims as an official observer.

What sets Jennifer apart, though, is how she’s embraced silence as part of her champion’s mindset. In a surprising turn, Jennifer shares how a 7-day silent meditation retreat completely changed her life—sharpening her focus, helping her manage anxiety and depression, and giving her a deeper edge as both a coach and an athlete.

Looking for a new challenge? Try silence. Whether you’re a Masters swimmer, a returning triathlete, or simply someone looking to reconnect with purpose and grit, this conversation offers insight, inspiration, and practical advice.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How Jennifer went from dog paddling her first triathlon to completing full Ironman races and coaching elite athletes
• What it means to be an open water swim observer, and why that role is vital in endurance swimming
• Why her weekly “Open Water Wednesday” swims are creating a strong local swim community
• What it’s really like to go completely silent for seven days—and the breakthroughs that can come from it
• Her advice for first-time triathletes, including mindset, gear, and how to start without feeling overwhelmed
• Practical tips for using breathwork, mindfulness, and internal awareness to enhance training and racing
• How to balance parenting, training, and business with grace and mental strength

Notable Quote:
"We're with ourselves 24/7… so we might as well learn to like ourselves a little bit." – Jennifer Comfort

This episode is for you if you:

• Are a swimmer curious about trying your first triathlon—or returning to the sport
• Want to bring more mindfulness and presence into your athletic routine
• Are intrigued by the idea of a silent retreat and what it might unlock in your life
• Appreciate hearing from women who lead, coach, compete, and rise through challenge

Jennifer’s story reminds us that becoming a champion doesn’t always start with winning. It starts with showing up, staying curious, and sometimes—even staying quiet long enough to hear what really matters.

Tune in to learn how silence, grit, and intention shape the journey of a true endurance athlete.

Email us at HELLO@ChampionsMojo.com. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.