Martina Moravcova is one of 14 swimmers to have ever competed in five separate Olympic games. She has represented her home country of Slovakia in 1992, 96, 2000, 2004, and 2008. She is one of the most decorated female swimmers of all time having won two Olympic Silver Medals, three World Cup Series titles, and having held the former record of 105 gold medals in the FINA World Cup Series.

In this conversation Martina and I talk about how she developed as an athlete over her career.  Through her stories, she shares what makes an elite athlete, what makes a successful person, and how she teaches those principles to her two children who are both athletes of ages 9 and 12 years old. I am privileged to call Martina a coach, a training partner, and a friend. I hope all of you who are listening, enjoy the conversation, and have something to take away from it.

If you feel encouraged to support this podcast, please visit my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/AlexShozda

EPISODE LINKS:

Martina's Website: http://www.martinamoravcova.com/english/en_home.html

Martina's Wiki Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martina_Moravcov%C3%A1

PODCAST INFO:

Podcast Website: https://shozdashow.buzzsprout.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-shozda-show/id1668689647

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Full Episodes Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJN8moYjvsKL7mKhY26kvhL8Q3EUaJUhb

Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@shozdashowclips

OUTLINE:

0:00 - Introduction

1:29 - Growth over 5 Olympics

3:55 - Motivation for 20 year career

6:16 - Making a living as a pro

9:33 - Intro to swimming

14:18 - Training journals

18:53 - Communist Czechoslovakia 

20:55 - Moving to USA

22:50 - Stages of progression

26:00 - College swimming at SMU

37:38 - What makes a good training partner

42:45 - Parenting an athlete

47:17 - Retiring from swimming

52:38 - Advise for young athletes

SOCIAL:

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