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.

This episode has one of the best comeback stories ever! It's filled with genuine emotion and inspiration and will have you thinking about the purpose of your next swim. Matt Moseley — a man whose life is fueled by purpose, storytelling, and water. From boardrooms to backstrokes, Matt is not just a world-record open water swimmer, but also a strategic communications expert, environmental advocate, and author of his recently released book, Soul is Waterproof.

By day, Matt runs the Ignition Strategy Group, guiding high-stakes campaigns for clients like Johnny Depp, the Colorado Senate, and American Rivers. By sunrise, he's logging record-breaking swims through some of the planet’s most challenging waters — all with a mission: to protect our rivers and reconnect us with what truly sustains life.

In this rich and emotional conversation, Matt shares:

• How he uses extreme swims to raise awareness for clean water and river conservation
• The story behind his 25-mile Lake Pontchartrain swim and the jazz musicians who accompanied him from a boat
• His inspiring recovery from a devastating leg injury and painkiller dependency
• Why open water swimmers are uniquely positioned to be powerful advocates for our planet’s water
• His work overturning Colorado’s felony murder statute and collaborating with Hunter S. Thompson and Johnny Depp
• How mental conditioning and purposeful goals helped him conquer some of life’s darkest moments

Matt’s message is clear: We’re not just athletes—we’re ambassadors. Whether you’re swimming 25 miles or simply wading into a local stream, your story can ripple outward and make a difference.

Resources & Mentions:

• Matt Moseley’s new book: Soul is Waterproof
• Learn more about American Rivers: www.americanrivers.org
• Dear Dr. Thompson (Matt’s book about Hunter S. Thompson’s advocacy and legacy)
• The WOWSA (World Open Water Swimming Association)
• The Ignition Strategy Group: www.ignitionstrategygroup.com

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

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 community

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