How A Busy ER Doc Swims To Win 100 National Titles: Kurt Dickson, ENCORE EP 287 Champions Mojo podcast

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How A Busy ER Doc Swims To Win 100 National Titles: Kurt Dickson, ENCORE EP 287

19d ago 45:14

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What does it take to win national swimming titles while working chaotic ER shifts and raising a competitive family? In this encore episode, we sit down with masters legend and ER physician Kurt Dixon to unpack the habits, mindset, and simple systems that keep him fast at 54—and grounded through real-life storms. Kurt’s résumé is staggering: 100+ U.S. masters national wins, world records, the Triple Crown of Marathon Swimming, and Ironman finishes. Yet his playbook is refreshingly unfancy: repeatable sets, six days a week in the water, no strength training, and a taper built on broken 200s to spark race speed. He talks candidly about racing anxiety, why practice times don’t predict his meets, and how to stay calm when the late-race pain hits in the 1000 and 1650.
We also explore the mental framework that turns adversity into fuel. After job upheaval, family crises, and the pandemic, Kurt rebuilt with a three-part response: forgive to clear mental space, choose better environments and patience, then harness primal energy into training. That shift led to one of his best competitive years. You’ll hear how he uses long swims to focus, how ER trauma changes the way he defines pressure, and why consistent naps and weekly yoga matter more with age. He shares injury lessons, simple shoulder prehab, and technique tweaks that protect joints without sacrificing speed.
On the personal side, Kurt’s humor shines. He loves milk chocolate and M&Ms, trains mostly alone, and jokes about buoyancy over body composition. His wife—a decorated cyclist—pushes him with epic rides, and their family has racked up miles and memories traveling to events. For masters swimmers, triathletes, and endurance fans, this conversation is packed with practical training tips, taper tactics, recovery strategies, and performance mindset tools you can use right away.
If this story resonates, follow the show, share it with someone who needs a spark, and leave a quick review to help others find us. And if you’re craving more investigative health storytelling, check out Kelly’s new book, False Cure, by visiting https://www.False-Cure.com

Email us at [email protected]. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.

Chapters

1. How A Busy ER Doc Swims To Win 100 National Titles: Kurt Dickson, ENCORE EP 287 (00:00:00)

2. Host Update: Book And Reboot (00:00:02)

3. Encore Setup And Guest Intro (00:00:31)

4. Kurt’s Training With ER Shifts (00:01:47)

5. Solo Workouts And Go-To Sets (00:05:20)

6. Talent, Triathlon, And Focus (00:08:04)

7. Mind Games In Ultra Swims (00:10:10)

8. Why Chase Hard Things (00:12:11)

9. Records, Aging, And Consistency (00:13:04)

10. Food, No Weights, And Routine (00:17:29)

11. Sleep, Naps, And Night Shifts (00:18:49)

12. Injury Management And Yoga (00:19:56)

13. Family, Support, And Rivalry (00:21:24)

14. Championship Mindset Under Pressure (00:24:26)

15. Seeding, Heats, And Race Strategy (00:26:05)

16. Taper Tactics And Broken 200s (00:29:19)

17. Adversity, Faith, And Fueling Drive (00:33:23)

18. Sprinter Round: Quick Hits (00:39:10)

19. Closing And Calls To Action (00:44:45)

286 episodes

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