As I read through these inspiring stories of Anne Cebula and Meghan Musnicki, I can’t help but feel deeply moved by their determination and resilience. Their journeys are a testament to the power of passion and the relentless pursuit of dreams, no matter how unconventional or seemingly impossible they may seem.
If Olympic athletes are lucky, their sport is their day job.
For every high-profile athlete like Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky, Noah Lyles, or any member of the U.S. men’s basketball team who could fund an entire women’s water polo squad (due to their success), there are significantly more athletes who juggle training for a potential 2024 Olympics in Paris medal while also working elsewhere.
One way to rephrase that sentence is: Even though they are top-tier athletes, it requires a significant financial investment to prepare for competitions, travel, and maintain readiness, especially on global stages like the world’s largest ones.
It’s not possible for everyone to maintain a traditional nine-to-five job, that much is clear. Many individuals, particularly those in the middle class, face financial challenges – as evidenced by Veronica Fraley’s post on X, Alexis Ohanian and Flavor Flav have stepped up to help cover the rent for a Vanderbilt student-athlete so she can focus on her discus throwing. Meanwhile, others are frequently engaged in fundraising activities or hunting for that game-changing sponsorship.
While some athletes who have competed and even reached the podium in Paris return home after the games, they also need to focus on their regular jobs.
As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to emphasize that not everyone feels the need to own every sports equipment under the sun. However, for those who are planning for life beyond their active years in sports – be it swimming, soccer, martial arts, fencing, paddling, or shooting – they may find joy in collecting memorabilia or even teaching others, keeping the spirit of these activities alive.
“Nic Fink, the world champion swimmer and electrical engineer, described his dual careers as a collaborative effort in the pool. He added that while his work hours might be irregular, his colleagues understand and respect his need for flexibility. Occasionally, he may take a bit longer to respond to messages, but they are understanding, telling him, ‘Take your time, focus on you.'”
The two-time Olympian attributes his continued success, including his recent podium finish where he tied for silver with Adam Peaty of Great Britain in the 100m breaststroke on July 29, to having something entirely different to concentrate on beyond the pool. Simply put, he’s doing well because he has other interests that keep him going.
He told ESPN that having his job allows him to separate different aspects of his life. In other words, even when he has a tough day swimming, it helps him forget about it and concentrate on other important matters outside of the pool.
Discover more about Olympic athletes who have ordinary jobs beyond their sports: Unveil the fascinating stories behind these remarkable individuals!
Following his Olympic debut in Tokyo as a swimmer, Nic Fink went on to earn his Master’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Georgia Tech. He successfully completed this program in December 2022 and shortly thereafter began employment at Quanta Utility Engineering.
Delighted to return to a flexible work setup from home in Dallas, the soon-to-be father (alongside his wife and fellow Olympic swimmer Melanie Margalis Fink) secured his first podium appearance in Paris.
After securing the silver medal in the 100-meter breaststroke, Nic expressed to ESPN that he was simultaneously advancing to other phases, yet maintaining a top tier performance in swimming. He believes that having his current job aids him in separating and managing all aspects of life effectively.
If given the chance, sprinter Gabby Thomas would be juggling two important roles – being among the quickest women globally and making a difference in saving the world.
The individual with a degree from Harvard, along with a master’s in public health and epidemiology from the University of Texas, dedicates time at a clinic for patients without insurance in Austin, while simultaneously being tipped as the top contender for the gold medal in the 200 meters at the 2024 Olympics.
As a lifestyle expert, I would phrase it as follows: Although I ran track for my college team with Crimson colors, I initially thought my career lay in healthcare. Gabby, who clinched a bronze medal in the 200m and silver in the 4x100m relay at Tokyo’s Olympics, shared her insights with TopMob News upon qualifying for Paris. She emphasized that making it to the Olympic team is never a certainty; there’s always an element of uncertainty involved.
Ultimately, she added, “I reached a moment when you ponder, Do I need to pick one path? But then I reflected, I’ve always managed to follow my heart and juggle everything. So I decided, ‘I’ll tackle it all!'”
Equipped with degrees in physics and nuclear engineering, Canyon Barry is employed as a systems engineer at L3 Harris Technologies, a defense and space technology company. Moreover, the 6-foot-5 athlete successfully made his debut with the U.S. 3×3 basketball team in Paris, receiving clearance to participate.
In his conversation with the Associated Press, Canyon, son of NBA legend Rick Barry, expressed that having a career he’s deeply passionate about and which allows him to establish an identity beyond sports is very important to him. He explained, “As I envision my future when basketball isn’t the center of my life anymore, I find comfort in knowing that I have a career I love and can return to, bringing me happiness and fulfillment for years to come.”
As someone who has spent countless hours in that very office, I can only dream of returning one day with a gold medal draped around my neck. The memories of their skepticism and doubt would be wiped away as they stand before me, camera flashes popping, capturing the moment of triumph. It would be a sweet victory, a testament to my hard work and perseverance, and I can’t help but imagine how it would feel to share that moment with them.
Since the age of 17, boxer Morelle McCane has persevered through various jobs such as a birthday party clown, daycare supervisor, and mailroom worker to finance her aspiration of becoming an Olympian. In 2024, she made history by being the first female fighter from Cleveland to qualify for the Olympic Games.
“Sometimes you need to grab what opportunities you can in the short term. That’s because the well-paying jobs expect long-term commitment, so you have to secure something temporary initially and maintain your income flow.”
And her plan was always Paris.
“During my fights in the ring, I truly excel,” the boxer from the welterweight category, competing in the 66kg division, shared with USA Boxing. “I pour my heart and soul into each bout, and I make sure my unique character comes through. It’s much more enjoyable this way. When I’m enjoying myself, I perform at my peak because I have the necessary intensity, focus, and relaxation as well.”
Zachery Schubert, a professional beach volleyball player, manages a cricket farm named Schubugs Cricket Farm on his Australian family’s land; and he practices what he preaches by occasionally eating these crickets as a high-protein treat.
He clarified to the Sydney Morning Herald that it’s not as if we’re making everyone consume insects in every meal. Instead, he emphasized that it serves as an additional source of protein in one’s diet. To be clear, he is not an extremist who advocates for eating only bugs.
Typically, when he’s not around, his father takes care of the crickets. However, since Senior Schubert is currently in Paris to watch his son compete in the Olympics for the first time, a friend is looking after the farm in his absence.
Rowing prodigy Robbie Manson stirred some ripples recently by disclosing that he boosts his earnings through an OnlyFans platform, yet he maintains a pragmatic outlook on the subject.
The New Zealander, competing in his third Olympics after coming out of retirement, shared with Reuters that he earns significantly more from OnlyFans than he does from rowing at this point. While the implications are up for interpretation, he believes in embracing transparency and welcomes any form of publicity as beneficial.
The double sculls specialist knows it’s not for everyone, but “for other athletes, there’s definitely an opportunity there.”
As a lifestyle expert, I can share my personal journey: Before a life-altering car accident in 2012 at age 23 left me paralyzed, I was passionately engaged in equestrian pursuits. However, fate had other plans for me. That very same year, I ventured into the thrilling world of wheelchair fencing – an experience that would become a pivotal part of my life. In 2013, just a year later, I proudly represented myself at my inaugural Wheelchair World Championships.
Currently, she manages two equestrian farms – Maplewood Farm and Bridlewood Farm, both located in Aiken, S.C., and serves as the breeding director at Magnolia Sport Horses. Her ambition is to stand on the podium during the opening of the Paris Paralympics which will commence on August 28th.
In an interview with the Lexington County Chronicle, I shared my profound joy at qualifying for my first Paralympics in 2021, but I must confess that my aspirations were far greater than what I managed to accomplish. That’s why I’m determined to give it another go in 2024. To be truthful, the spotlight has been more on the ‘foils’ recently, rather than the ‘foals’, as they say.
“Ellen admitted that she’s finding it challenging to maintain a balance,” she said. “At the moment, I’m putting significantly more effort into fencing rather than caring for the horses and farms.”
If Alyssa “Aly” Bull, an Australian firefighter who is also an Olympic canoeist, had come to rescue us, we would have felt confident that we were in capable hands. And, quite surprisingly, we discovered this talented individual’s dual skills!
After participating in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Aly began working for the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service in 2018. She quickly discovered that managing her job and her training required a great deal of multitasking, as she explained to Australia’s ABC.
In 2023, she stated, “When we’re deeply immersed in our tasks,” she said, “it involves two day duties, two night duties and then a four-day break.” Aly praised Australian women’s sprint kayak coach Rene Olsen for his “extraordinary support in joining me on the water at 4 a.m. during my work shifts.”
But Aly finds that the importance of teamwork follows wherever she goes.
Regardless of whether they’re seated at the front or back, or about to ride along for an emergency situation, you need to have absolute confidence in their abilities. This trust extends to their capacity to assist someone involved in a car accident with their equipment and effective communication, or to paddle synchronously if it’s a race, aiming for the finish line together.
Maria Liana Mutia is always analyzing data, be it regarding her upcoming parajudo competitor or her job as a software analyst at Comcast.
Each day begins with waking up at six in the morning for a workout session. From nine till six in the evening, I work diligently, followed by a two-hour training regimen.
The Paralympian, upon returning, shared with TeamUSA.com that while they may not be overly powerful or aggressive, they are indeed a clever combatant. They are always on the hunt for the ideal response to their opponent’s moves.
Even as Maria was actively participating in both wrestling and judo competitions designed for the visually impaired, her vision gradually deteriorated completely. Yet, the thought of quitting never crossed her mind.
“Any grappling sport, judo, it’s all based in touch,” she said. “I never had any worries that I would have to stop.”
Kat Holmes, a Princeton graduate, skillfully managed both her ambition to become a doctor and her talent for fencing without one hindering the other. She participated in the team and individual epee events at the Olympics held in Paris, marking her third time competing in this prestigious event. Meanwhile, she is currently in her third year at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Balancing these demanding schedules isn’t something she would suggest others try.
As a devoted follower, I shared with CNBC Make It Ahead that balancing Olympic training and medical school isn’t something I find delightful. Frankly, it’s a challenging and less than enjoyable journey. If someone were to ask for advice, I would strongly advise against it. The constant training can be grueling, and there are days when I honestly despise it. It’s an objective fact.
“However, at the end of the day,” she added, “I love fencing. I really, really do. I just try to come back to that again and again. I want to win an Olympic medal, but I don’t think that alone would have been enough to get me through it.”
In Tokyo, sport climbing made its Olympic debut, and Jesse Gruper, a mechanical engineer with a passion for climbing since the age of 6 and a competitive climber by 11, was part of this historic event, even if he wasn’t there in person. He has grown more proficient in his craft over time.
In the 2023 Pan American Games, he clinched the gold medal in the men’s combined event, securing his place at Paris. Simultaneously, he serves as a research fellow in engineering at Harvard, focusing on rehabilitation and soft robotic educational technology. While traversing the World Cup circuit, he also worked part-time for Harvard’s Biodesign Lab from a distance.
Jesse shared with Olympics.com that there’s a strong connection between climbing and mechanical engineering when it comes to fundamental skills. He believes they are both like solving puzzles: starting with a broad concept or challenge, you must find your way to the solution using creativity, perseverance, and commitment.
Australian water polo player Dani Jackovich (depicted on the far right above) is currently an operations coordinator at swimwear manufacturer Delfina Sport and a data analyst for water polo technology company 6-8 Sports. This means that her thoughts have often been centered around the swimming pool even after her competitive days with Stanford.
Dani shared with Go Stanford that it felt incredibly strange, almost unreal, to make her Olympics debut in Paris. Her route to achieving this lifelong goal wasn’t traditional; there were moments when she doubted if it would ever happen. However, her passion for the sport never waned, pushing her to continue playing and exploring different parts of the world. The unique path she took to reach this moment makes it even more meaningful that she can now say her dream from childhood has become a reality.
Anne Cebula, with a fair amount of experience in modeling, had previously visited Paris. However, this trip to Paris was unique because she was competing as an Olympic fencer for the first time. It was back in 2008 when she watched the Beijing Games that she discovered the sport and found it captivating. At the time, she was only ten years old.
In a similar vein, Anne explained to Access Daily, “It’s as if an opera performance, people are tearing off their masks, cheering loudly, and this is typically seen at the conclusion of a sports game. However, in fencing, this intensity doesn’t occur just at the end, but throughout the entire event.”
Initially, my heartfelt request for lessons was turned down by my parents due to their perceived cost. However, half a decade later, I found myself enrolling in the esteemed Brooklyn Technical High School, where a vibrant fencing club flourishes.
Anne represented Columbia University in fencing competitions, earning herself a spot among the top two American female epee fighters. Simultaneously, she pursued modeling work. However, to dedicate more time to her intense training schedule – which involved five hours of practice every weekday – she chose to leave her job as a receptionist.
“Fencing has had a lasting impact on my life. The sport has brought about numerous wonderful experiences for me. After the Games, I shared with The City that I wish to share this opportunity with children in our city who may not be able to afford it or even know it exists. I believe there is immense potential among these kids that remains untapped.”
As a devoted admirer looking back, four-time Olympic rower Meghan “Moose” Musnicki (pictured to your right) retired from the competitive waters after Tokyo, tied the knot, and embarked on my first genuine career at 39 – handling HR for a data infrastructure firm in the Bay Area. However, the enchanting melody of the 2022 Henley Royal Regatta in Oxfordshire echoed, and although I entered with a playful spirit, my partner and I claimed victory in this prestigious event.
The athlete shared with Women’s Health that her performance proved she could compete on par with those who trained full-time. Reflecting on this moment, she acknowledged that she still had another Olympics within her. She questioned, “If I find enjoyment in [training], if my body can endure the strain of it, then why not pursue it further?”
Meghan trains with her husband Skip Kielt’s rowing team, which consists mainly of men, even while holding down a full-time job. She works remotely during her training sessions that take place between 7:15 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. In early 2024, she returns to the Princeton, N.J., base where the national team trains, aiming to be part of the Paris rowing crew.
Besides the fact that it would have been our trip regardless, “He cherishes me, encourages me, knowing this was my aspiration”; however, Skip is also embarking on a new journey as the coach of the U.S. men’s Olympic team for the first time.
As a die-hard enthusiast, let me tell you from personal experience, it’s not about the cash or the fame in this game. It’s not about seeking recognition from others. Nope, you dive into it because you’ve got a burning passion for it. Love is what fuels us here.
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2024-08-03 15:21