Where are They Now? Catching Up with Past Olympians

Happy Olympic & Paralympic Day! 

To continue the #TriWeek celebration, we connected with seven of our past U.S. Olympians who shared their favorite Olympic memories, advice for today's athletes competing at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo and a snapshot into their current lives. 

2004 U.S. Olympian

Residence: Olympic City USA – Colorado Springs, Colorado

Family: I’ve been married for 17 years to my wonderful wife, Lisa, and we have two kids ages 14 and 11

Current profession: I’m still a professional triathlete! I’ve been fortunate to marry my passion with my profession and it has been a great ride (and I don’t see it ending anytime soon either!).

Outside of racing, how else are you involved in triathlon?

I’m more involved in triathlon than ever before. I’m racing, coaching with AP Racing, hosting camps all across the world, and most recently, I’m guiding for a blind paratriathlete, Kyle Coon!

How have the character traits you gained as an Olympian translated to other areas of your life? 

Preparing to race at the Olympics taught me so many key traits: perseverance, dedication, hard work, perspective, grit, how to overcome adversity, the list goes on!  It is wonderful to share these traits that shaped me into the athlete and person I am today.  I try to teach through example and by sharing my knowledge.  It starts with my kids and extends to anyone I run across (even if they’re not interested in triathlon).  

What is your greatest single memory from your Olympic experience?

Hearing the crowd when I exited the water and headed through T1 was the best sound ever! It was electric and I knew I had friends and family in the stands that were cheering their hearts out for me.

What is it like following athletes as they compete for their spot on the U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team and watching athletes compete at the Games? 

I know what the Olympic hopefuls and Olympians are feeling, and I know that it isn’t always easy. I love it when you can see the growth of a person because of the gauntlet they have been through to pursue their dreams. There is true spirit and passion on display no matter the outcome. Ultimately, I love watching it all unfold.  

Describe the moment you decided you wanted to become an Olympian. Was there a specific turning point that made you feel it could become a reality?

I wanted to be an Olympian after watching the 1988 Seoul Olympics. I watched Matt Biondi and Janet Evans represent the USA with such class and grace. I was a swimmer at the time, and I knew right then (at age 12) I wanted to go to the Olympics! There was never one moment that made me believe. It was a culmination of years of hard work, dedication, failure, and perseverance that made it into a reality.

Advice for athletes competing in Tokyo?

Leave no stone unturned! Put everything you know into your pursuit. Believe in yourself and allow others to help.  

2004 U.S. Olympian

Residence: Alta, Wyoming

Family: Husband Loren, twin 14-year-old boys Bjorn and Zane

Current profession: Triathlon coach

What are your hobbies/interests outside of triathlon?

I picked up golf about seven years ago when we put our kids in a First Tee program at our local course, even taking on the challenge of women’s league a few years ago. I enjoy the sport because I can improve as I age, and believe me, there is a LOT to improve on! I just finished my second year of homeschooling my boys, all from books and very interactive, no online program. So, a new interest is learning (or re-learning in some cases), especially history. 

How have the character traits you gained as an Olympian translated to other areas of your life? 

Making hard work enjoyable by reveling in challenges and making games of the work has been a trait I’ve shared with my kids and athletes. From racing, being able to roll with the unexpected, not getting flustered and even enjoying the unknowns around the corner have helped me through the challenges of life. 

What is your greatest single memory from your Olympic experience?

Crossing the line at our Olympic Trials in Honolulu and giving my husband the biggest hug, because it was a team effort. At the age of 35, 16 years after my first Olympic Trials for swimming, I was finally getting to represent the country I love so much at the Olympic Games.

What is it like watching the Games after competing in them? 

I feel like I’m re-living my experience through them, thinking about all the moving parts that go into getting to the start line at such a huge event. It’s a lot more complicated logistically than a normal race! Because I’ve recruited some of the Olympians into the sport, there is also a personal connection. I think back to the first day I met them, their struggles and successes, and how far they have come. I want all the athletes to have their best race on the day, medal or not, so they finish the race knowing they couldn’t have done anything more or different. 

Advice for athletes competing in Tokyo?

Don’t let the race itself define your whole Olympic experience. Your worth as an athlete and as a person is not defined by this one event! I didn’t have my best race, but I’ve learned to compartmentalize and separate that from the rest of my Olympic experience. That Olympic experience ranges from the media attention months before the race, to watching other events at the Olympics and the closing ceremonies, and to my experience today of still being an Olympian! The USOPA (United States Olympians and Paralympians Association) motto is “Once an Olympian, Always an Olympian; Never Former, Never Past” (memorize this!) so let your heart soar that you will always be an Olympian! 

2008 U.S. Olympian (triathlon), 2000 U.S. Olympian (water polo)

Residence: Irvine, California

Family: Married to Greg Ertel and 11 year old twins, Catherine and Jackson

Current profession: Full time mom, part time TV analyst for water polo and triathlon

Are you still involved in triathlon?

I still like to compete in two to three races a year. I also do private lessons which keeps me connected to the sport and renews the excitement of first-time racing in my athletes.

What are your hobbies/interests outside of triathlon?

I dabble in water polo (my first sport) and have recently picked up hiking. I still train in running, cycling and swimming. My happy place is still at the ocean, hearing the waves (and occasionally boogie boarding with my kids.)

How have the character traits you gained as an Olympian translated to other areas of your life? 

The ability to adapt (whether it be to injury, a delayed flight, late arrival of a bike box, or a triathlon being converted to a duathlon) was well honed during my years as a professional triathlete. I continue to use that adaptability in my everyday life from my kids’ fluid extracurricular schedules to COVID protocols and info, to simply adapting to an older body that takes longer to recover. And of course, juggling training in three sports, along with international travel and race planning is great preparation for being a mother, wife, CEO, COO and CFO of our family.

What is your greatest single memory from your Olympic experience?

Marching into the Opening Ceremony with Laura Bennet in the front row of the USA delegation was my greatest memory. 

What is it like watching the Games after competing in them? 

I still get the chills when I hear the national anthem played. I LOVE watching the Olympics and Paralympics and learning about the athletes. For me, it is not about the winning (although I love to see American athletes win), it is about the journey in getting to the Olympics and seeing the story of each individual Olympian unfold during those 17 days.

There is a bond between Olympians from all over the world, knowing that, in our own way, we have all sacrificed and worked thousands of hours to achieve our goals. And, in looking around the Olympic Village, we have all achieved at least part of that dream. Even as we may be fierce competitors on the playing field, the Village is like a utopia - it is a community of hard-working people, with focus and determination who tend to be courteous and respectful of others.
I've been lucky to work for NBC at the Olympics in 2004, 2012, 2016 and now, for the Tokyo 2020 Games. So, I get to see a lot of competition, but even better, I get to work with a group of people who are equally passionate about the Olympics and the athletes in pursuit of their Olympic goals.

Describe the moment you decided you wanted to become an Olympian. Was there a specific turning point that made you feel it could become a reality?

In fifth grade, I wrote a story about going to the Olympics. I was a swimmer, and while I knew that I wasn't fast enough, I understood how great it would be to go and represent the U.S. (This was about a year before the Olympics were held in LA and 17 years before I finally made my Olympic debut in water polo.) It was in Sydney in 2000, while watching the first Olympic triathlon on TV in the Olympic Village, that I got the idea that I could return to the Olympics later in a second sport.

Advice for athletes competing in Tokyo?

Write a journal of your experiences.  Much of it will be crystal clear but as the years pass, some of the memories will fade (like what the dining hall was like, who were your neighbors in the Village, how you spent your days leading up to your competition, etc.)  Put down the devices and look around. Take it all in, and experience as much as you can. Don't assume that you will make it back again. Savor each moment. Use the excitement to give your competition the extra boost. And, of course, plan for the low when you return home. Plan a trip, journal or make a photo album, enroll in school, start a job. With so many hours dedicated to training and travel, it is a good idea to have a plan to fill that void when you return.

2008 U.S. Olympian

Residence: Clermont, Florida

Family: Alicia Kaye (spouse and also former professional triathlete)

Current profession: Financial advisor

Are you still involved in triathlon?

I coach a few athletes, help put on the Clermont Draft Legal Challenge and run a sunscreen company.

What are your hobbies/interests outside of triathlon? 

I love history and enjoy visiting historical sites. I have recently got into adventure racing and am loving the physical and mental challenge!

How have the character traits you gained as an Olympian translated to other areas of your life? 

As an athlete I was always motivated to be the best me I could be. Now I love helping others try to achieve their goals. This is important to me in both coaching and working in the financial advice industry.

What is your greatest single memory from your Olympic experience?

My greatest memory of the Olympics was walking into Opening Ceremony and looking around and thinking, “Wow”!

What is it like watching the Games after competing in them?

I feel a special bond with those athletes I see competing. Watching them race is just a small snapshot in their journey and I know and understand all of the work that goes on in the background, whether they finish first or last, it takes a village to get those athletes to be the best in the world and to compete on the international stage.

Describe the moment you decided you wanted to become an Olympian. Was there a specific turning point that made you feel it could become a reality?

I did not really think about being an Olympian until 2005 when I got into triathlon. I was a baseball fan and runner, but I knew that I was not the best runner and never going to win a national championship in that sport. It was not until 2005 when I started having success that I realized that I could be successful and possibly make an Olympic team.

Advice for athletes competing in Tokyo?

Soak in every moment of the journey, step back and take a deep breath when you are at the Olympics and thank all of the people who helped you get to where you are. It is an amazing experience!

2008 U.S. Olympian

Residence: Eureka, Missouri

Family: I live with my husband, Nate and my three children; Caroline (who turns 8 next month), Connor (4 yrs.)  and Catherine who turns 1 on July 1.

Current profession: Full-time motherhood

Are you still involved in triathlon?  

At the current moment, I am not directly involved with triathlon.  My husband is a swim coach, PE teacher and personal trainer. He works with some triathletes and coaches a few personally. My daughter is doing her second triathlon next month! Triathlon is still near and dear to my heart.  

How have the character traits you gained as an Olympian translated to other areas of your life?

I started racing professional triathlons just a year out of college and I retired in the fall of 2019. I learned so much as an athlete and a person during this time. There are many similar qualities in being a professional triathlete and being a mother. For one, I always felt I was "on the job" as a professional athlete as I was always thinking about recovery and nutrition outside of my training and as a mother you are "on" full-time, especially with  babies and toddlers. It is also similar because both require traits like hard work, dedication to be the best athlete and best mother you can be and working when exhausted.  For example,  showing up to training sessions when you are tired as an athlete and as a mother, being up most of the night with a teething baby and still needing to have the love and energy for all your children the next day.  Both roles require adaptability, patience and staying in the present moment. 

What is your greatest single memory from your Olympic experience?

My single greatest memory from my Olympic experience was walking out to the start line. Seeing the cheering crowd gave me goosebumps and I remember having this surreal moment in my head thinking, "Wow, this is it! I am at the Olympic start line, something I dreamed about since childhood."

What is it like following athletes as they compete for their spot on the U.S. Olympic Team and watching athletes compete at the Games?

I love watching the Olympics and I am excited to watch them with my oldest daughter this summer as she is old enough now to understand what is going on and take it all in.  I completely understand what those athletes are going through trying to earn their Olympic spots. One of the tougher aspects about the Olympic qualifying for triathlon is that the process is normally drawn out over the course of a year. This past qualifying period was even longer with the Olympics delayed due to the pandemic. This longer length of time, I feel, can be mentally draining when you are trying to qualify over the course of a year or two. However, not having the qualifying event on one day can give you some cushion in case you had a bad day or a bike mechanical, so there are positives as well for a three-event qualifying process.

Describe the moment you decided you wanted to become an Olympian. Was there a specific turning point that made you feel it could become a reality?

When I was in college, I remember watching the Olympic debut in Sydney and I knew in my head that is what I wanted to go someday!  I competed in my first triathlon three weeks after my NCAA running career and never looked back.

Advice for athletes competing in Tokyo?

2000 U.S. Olympian

Residence: Boulder, Colorado

Family: I live with my husband of 19 years, Mark Shenk and my doggies Diesel. 

Current profession: I have been a coach to endurance athletes for almost 20 years and I am cannabis epidemiologist. I examine the knowledge, attitudes, benefits, and adverse effects of cannabis in various populations to learn more for education and to help people use cannabis safely and effectively.

In addition to coaching, how else are you involved triathlon? 

I’ve spoken at triathlon conferences/events, I do research on triathletes, and I volunteer at races. I guess you could say that even though I don’t race anymore I am still deeply involved in the sport. 

What are your hobbies/interests outside of triathlon? 

I love writing. It is therapeutic and a good way to pass along knowledge or funny anecdotes. I am also into puzzles and have been since my high school days when I would sit in class with my puzzle book hidden behind my textbook.

How have the character traits you gained as an Olympian translated to other areas of your life?  

I developed a level of mental toughness that has served me well in my post-athletic life as I navigate a multitude of health problems. Triathlon taught me the value of tenacity, advocating for yourself, not giving up with things get hard, passion, vision, and setting goals that may or may not come to fruition. In fact, triathlon taught me so much about mental toughness I wrote a book called The Champion Mindset: An Athlete’s Guide to Mental Toughness. It can help athletes of any level hone their mental game.

What is your greatest single memory from your Olympic experience? 

Crossing the finish line carrying the American flag. I never felt so connected to my country or proud to be an American as I did in that moment.

What is it like following athletes as they compete for their spot on the U.S. Olympic Team and watching the athletes compete at the Games? 

It fun to see how the sport has evolved and also how it has stayed the same. I can feel the stress and anxiety and uncertainty and know how hard it is to be ready to fire on all cylinders when it really counts. From afar, it is easy to be an armchair quarterback.

Describe the moment you decided you wanted to become an Olympian. Was there a specific turning point that made you feel it could become a reality? 

I never thought that becoming an Olympian would be a reality for me. I was a swimmer growing up, and while I was good, I was not Olympic material. It wasn’t until I started triathlon and working my way up the ranks that I realized I had the potential to be an Olympian. One of the USAT coaches expressed faith in me that I did not have in myself and that changed my entire mindset. 

Advice for athletes competing in Tokyo? 

Most importantly, be safe and stay healthy. That is always something that athletes need to be wary of going into a big event, but particularly this year. Enjoy the experience, take it all in. And remember, the Olympics is merely just another race, so don’t put yourself in a pressure cooker and turn yourself inside out with anxiety over your event. The best athletes with the best results are those who are able to maintain “looseness”, enjoy their event, and don’t look to others for validation.

2000 U.S. Olympian

Residence: Davidson, North Carolina

Family: Wife Susan, and five children: Daughters; Isabelle, and Taylor and sons; Jack, Duncan, and Owen, plus a Wire Fox Terrier: Arthur.

Current profession: Head coach for Wingate University women’s NCAA and men’s club triathlon teams, a personal coach with 4D Endurance, and chief strategy officer with Latent Knowledge.

What are your hobbies/interests outside of triathlon? 

Fly-fishing/fly-tying, DIY, baking

How have the character traits you gained as an Olympian translated to other areas of your life?  

I have gained the ability to pay attention to detail, increased my endurance and have learned to overcome challenges.

What is your greatest single memory from your Olympic experience? 

My greatest single experience was standing in the courtyard of the Sydney Opera House during athlete introductions. I literally peed my pants (wetsuit) as I stood looking at the huge crowd, the Olympic flag and the country flags. I realized it was the culmination of a lifelong dream.

Describe the moment you decided you wanted to become an Olympian? Was there a specific turning point that made you feel it could become a reality? 

I decided I wanted to be an Olympian when I was 14. I was racing the first IronKids National Championship Triathlon against Lance Armstrong. During the ESPN coverage the commentator, said, “Triathlon isn’t in the Olympics yet, but it will be someday, and it will be athletes like Nick and Lance who will be representing the U.S.” I will never forget that quote and it motivated me to follow my dream.  I had a very strong season in 1998 and with the first Olympic Triathlon in Sydney 2000, it started to feel like I had a very strong chance to make the team. It got a little stressful during the qualifying but ultimately, I regained my form and earned the second of three positions on the team.

Advice for athletes competing in Tokyo?

Keep in mind that although the last year and a half was hard for training and preparation, it was just as hard or harder for other athletes in other countries. Set your expectations based on how you prepared and know that the Olympics is only once every four years and maybe a once in a lifetime opportunity.  Give it everything you have on the day and if you don’t finish in the top three, at least you know you gave 100 percent. Enjoy the experience and figure out a way to share that experience with others.