How to Swim at 93 with 7 Heart Stents: Olympic Champion Yoshi Oyakawa, EP 328

What does it actually take to outswim the biological aging clock when your body, joints, or cardiovascular system start pushing back? How does an athlete continue getting up on the starting blocks well into their 90s after serious heart procedures? Yes, I confirmed Yoshi said he has 7 stents. 

In this episode, we sit down on the pool deck with 1952 Olympic Gold Medalist and Masters Swimmer Yoshi Oyakawa. At 93 years old, Yoshi is living proof of lifelong athletic longevity. But his secret isn't reckless grit or grinding through pain—it’s an ongoing masterclass in adapting your training, listening to your body, and completely reframing your relationship with competition.

Whether you’re recovering from a medical setback, fighting shoulder stiffness, or wondering how many more years you have in the pool, Yoshi breaks down the daily philosophy and training shifts required to stay fast, healthy, and on the blocks for life.

Inside this episode, you’ll discover:

The Cardiovascular Boundary: How Yoshi structures his 600–700-meter workouts to stay fit without triggering breathlessness or cardiovascular overload.The Shoulder Longevity Choice: Why Yoshi refused to adopt modern stroke fads—and how sticking to his natural biomechanics preserved his upper body for over eight decades.The Pre-Race Mindset Reset: The subtle mental prayer shift Yoshi made that immediately cured race-day anxiety and unlocked peak performance behind the blocks.The Power Base Secret: The unconventional childhood dryland routine that built Yoshi’s legendary kick power and sustained his speed late in life.The Modern Technique Trap: The biggest equipment and stroke evolutions Yoshi has witnessed over 70+ years of racing—and which technical factors actually matter as you age.The Century Mark Goal: Yoshi’s mindset on competing into the 95–99 age bracket, and the pact he made with fellow Olympic legends to race at age 100.

Email us and/or find out more about the host at www.KellyPalace.com. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.