In the U.S., most athletic careers seem to end after high school. I think there’s massive untapped potential here for Olympics sports, for two reasons:

1. For former high school athletes who didn’t get the chance to play in college, there are Olympic and less mainstream sports they could excel in. The olympics are for amateurs. (Of course with limitations like basketball and other sports that are no longer for amateurs)
2. For less competitive athletes or those with busy schedules, training Olympic sports can offer community, improved health, learning new skills, and an active lifestyle that other fitness avenues don’t quite deliver.

I’m currently training to make the LA Olympic team, and while I know how much has to go right for that to happen, I’ve learned a lot along the way.

Here’s what I’ve seen firsthand: I train with people who would give anything to make the Olympic team, but even those who won’t likely make it still benefit tremendously from the journey. At the elite level, I’ve been fortunate enough to work fewer hours, earn more per hour, travel often, pay fewer taxes, feel healthier than ever, build lasting friendships, and live with more purpose. I wouldn’t have had the same experience from simply lifting weights or joining a casual run club or pickleball league. I needed that competition.

I’ve also interacted with a lot of masters athletes, including lots age 50+, who are learning the sport I do and loving it. They’ve found a supportive community, improved their health, and rediscovered their competition edge. I thinks it’s great.

My central idea: More people should train for Olympic sports.

What do you think? Would you consider training for an Olympic sport, even if you don’t think you’ll make it?

These are just my experiences and opinions, if anyone’s interested, I’ve written out my full story in a few pages—from unfit and frankly a degenerate, to placing 3rd at the Olympic Trials in three years—and how to replicate that success. Dm me I can share the doc.