Radical Body Confidence, Dropping 52 Pounds, and Building a Business: Stephanie Havelka, EP 309

What we if women treated our bodies like a gift instead of a problem to fix? And men you'll want to listen up if you have ever been asked by a woman, do I look fat? You'll get the right answer in this episode! 

After swim practice, we sit down with Stephanie Havelka, a true water woman whose life in sport spans competitive swimming, Kona Ironman, outrigger canoe racing around the globe, surf ski, and even Olympic Trials kayaking. She also happens to be the founder of Sportkini, a swimwear brand built for athletic women who actually move. She's also a  #1 ranked US Masters swimmer. 

We talk about how a “champion mindset” transfers from one sport to the next: being coachable, staying curious, and using training as a tool for confidence. Stephanie shares the behind-the-scenes story of how Sport Kini started with sketches at 14, then took shape after a chance meeting with a top Australian swimsuit designer who taught her how to build suits that stay put, feel good, and hold up to chlorine, salt water and real adventure. If you’ve ever searched for athletic swimwear, sport bikinis, or a two piece swimsuit you can truly swim in, you’ll hear exactly what “function first” looks like.

Then we go deeper into body confidence. Stretch marks, scars, changes, and the constant background noise of “should” do not get the final say. Stephanie lays out a simple, brave approach: wear what you want, try it a little at a time if you’re nervous, and get your mind off the suit so you can get back to the sport you love. She also shares how she lost 52 pounds by lowering stress and addressing an autoimmune flare cycle, and how that shift helped her return to training and post the #1 US time in the 55–59 SCM 100 free while still seeing big room to improve.

If you know a masters swimmer, triathlete, paddler, or any active woman who needs a boost, share this conversation with them. Subscribe to Champions Mojo, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and tell us what you’re learning to embrace in your own body.

• Stephanie’s path from competitive swimming to Kona Ironman, outrigger canoe racing, surf ski and Olympic Trials kayaking 
• Using a sport mindset to learn new skills, accept coaching and push through setbacks 
• The long origin story of Sport Kini, from teen sketches to an Australia mentor to selling 700 suits solo 
• Why athletic women need swimwear built for movement, real sizing and durable construction 
• Body confidence as a practice, letting go of shame and wearing what you want 
• Losing 52 pounds by lowering stress, addressing autoimmune flare-ups and making swimming fun again 
• Current masters swim training, plus focusing on starts, turns and future meet goals 

https://sportkini.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sportkini/

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

You can learn more about the Host and Founder of Champions Mojo at www.KellyPalace.com