About this episode
Mary T. Meagher (now Plant) is a 3x Olympian (1980/1984/1988), 3x Olympic gold medalist (1984), and Bronze medalist (1988) for the United States of America. Madame Butterfly, as she was affectionately nicknamed, took the 100 (57.9) and 200 Butterfly (2.05.9) events to new heights. Mary's World Records stood for 18 & 19 years, respectively! Her career wasn't all flowers and frosting, though. After setting those World Records, she spent the next 7 years trying to better them. She missed out on competing in the 1980 Moscow Olympics due to the American boycott. And in 1984, didn't get to compete against the best because the Soviets boycotted back. Mary swam for the likes of Dennis Pursley, Karen Moe, and Bill Peak. She is married to Mike Plant, Olympic speedskater, Vice President of the Atlanta Braves, and 10-term USOC Board Member. Enjoy! 00:00 Bratter PA Immigration Law 00:05 Hello Mary T! 01:50 Denis Pursley Quote 03:10 5’8 128 lbs 03:40 Training & Personality 5:05 10th out of 11th children 06:55 How’d you get into swimming? 09:20 2:05.9/57.9 12:50 Bill Peak 1981 14:45 So much better 18:18 Beine Genetic Testing 19:06 Swim Angelfish 19:43 1980 Olympics 21:09 1984 Olympics 22:15 Kids know your history? 23:22 Husband was an Olympian 24:30 Madam Butterfly 27:05 Taking the WR from 209 to 205 28:15 Rivalry with Lisa 29:00 3x800 Butterfly, 12x200 Butterfly, 30x100 Butterfly 30:58 Favorite Type of Set 32:12 Skipping 58 in the 100 34:20 How did you afford training? 35:20 Swimming at Cal with Coach Mo 37:07 Swimnerd Live Results 37:45 Retirement after 88 40:45 Glenn Mills 41:27 ISHOF Induction 42:12 Regrets? 44:15 Husband Mike Plant 45:30 Why no googles? 47:37 Jon Sieben 48:40 Vasa Trainer 49:05 Destro Swim Towers Our Sponsors: BRATTER PA IMMIGRATION LAW : Exclusive immigration representation of athletes, entrepreneurs, artists, investors, and entertainers. SWIM ANGELFISH: Receive the tools and skills needed to teach swimmers with autism, physical disabilities, anxiety, sensory and motor conditions with Swim Angelfish, the global leader in adaptive swim. Get certified online today! BEINE WELLNESS BUILDING: Individualize your nutrition with genetic testing and personalized plans. Eat, supplement, and recover based on your genetics. INTL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME: Help preserve swimming history by joining the 1 in 1000 Club! VASA: Essential dryland for stronger, better, faster swimmers. Save 10% using the code "brett" at checkout! DESTRO SWIM TOWERS : Save $150 per double swim tower by using the code "brett" at checkout! SWIMNERD : Big and small digital pace clocks, virtual scoreboards, and live results. Subscribe to the Swimnerd Newsletter . Subscribe & Listen: Apple Podcasts Google Spotify YouTube Produced by: SWIMNERD