USA BOBSLED AND SKELETON ATHLETES FIND SUCCESS AFTER RETIRING FROM SPORTS

LAKE PLACID, NY (January 10, 2024) - As the winter season continues, the USA Bobsled and Skeleton (USABS) teams are in the midst of another round of international competitions. While many athletes aspire to compete in the Olympics, there are countless other opportunities beyond the sport's highest level of competition.

Bobsledding and skeleton racing demand a combination of physical strength, speed, and mental toughness. However, these abilities can translate effectively into the business world. Many former bobsledders and skeleton racers have achieved success in fields such as finance, sales, and entrepreneurship.

The skills learned through bobsledding and skeleton racing, such as teamwork, goal-setting, and perseverance, can be invaluable in the business world. While many athletes strive for Olympic gold, it is important to keep in mind that there are plenty of other opportunities for success beyond the finish line.

USABS is dedicated to "empowering United States athletes to achieve sustained competitive success in bobsled and skeleton" while also helping them "pursue personal excellence and well-being" both on and off the ice track (USABS.com, 2024). Although transitioning from an athlete to a full-time employee can be challenging, numerous USABS alumni have discovered that their time as athletes has equipped them for success in the workforce. Here are just a few examples:

Chris Kinney competed as a bobsledder in the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. After retiring, he pursued a career in management and honed his leadership skills. He worked with the International Paralympic Committee

 as the Athlete Engagement Manager, implementing PLY post-nominal programs, standing up for athletes in Beijing, and ensuring Paralympic athletes had access to resources. Kinney is now the Senior Director of Operations at CSX, working with the USABS Athlete Advisory Council and Team USA Athletes Commission to empower athletes' voices.

When asked about the specific skills he has transferred from his time as a bobsledder to his career, he explained, “Bobsled has taught me the value of tenacity, hard work, and working with a team to achieve a goal. Now that I'm in a position where I manage so many people, I use the team building and communication skills I learned in bobsled to be successful in my current career.”

Lauryn Williams holds the distinction of being the first American woman to medal in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. After retiring from her successful athletic career, Williams transitioned into entrepreneurship, following her passion and turning it into a meaningful profession. Her advice to fellow athletes is to explore their interests, remain open-minded and curious, and avoid limiting themselves to a single career path. With hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn, anyone can achieve their goals. Williams' journey is an inspiring testament to the notion that success can manifest in various forms, and one can pursue their dreams at any stage of life.

“Start leaning into your other interests now. Have curiosity. You are more than an athlete,” Williams elaborated.

Carlo Valdes focused on building his financial services business after retiring from bobsledding. He helps clients plan their futures, mentors people embarking on business careers and has aligned himself within the insurance and wealth management space. Valdes identifies three skills from his sports career that have proven valuable in business: work ethic, adaptability, and a winning mindset. Being adaptable to any situation is crucial, and being able to pivot and be resourceful gives an edge that not many people possess. Having a winning mindset is key to achieving success, and a winning culture will propel you to great heights. Valdes advises transitioning athletes to seek out information, leverage their network, and not change who they are.

“Anyone supporting you now, they want to see you succeed on the track, so why wouldn't they want you to succeed in life? It all starts with a simple conversation,” Valdes explained. 

John Daly, a former skeleton athlete, has made the transition from sports to medical device sales. His ultimate aim is to drive revenue growth while enhancing the quality of life of his customers and patients.

Daly credits his success in his current career to the following three tactics that he learned while in the world of sports:

1) Control the Controllable: Focus your energy on the things you can control and strive to excel in them.

2) Adapt Quickly: Be prepared to adjust your plans as needed to stay on track toward your goals. 

3) Process Over Outcome: Focus on the process of achieving your goals rather than the end result, which can be overwhelming and lead to fear. 

Daly also advises current athletes who are preparing for their transition out of sports to start planning early and to take advantage of the network of connections they have built as athletes. "Your athletic career will end," he warns. “Do not make your plans after it is over. Set it up while you’re the most marketable. We have a massive network of athletes to lean on for connections”. Daly recalls sending his resume out one month before the Olympics, using his sports visibility to leverage connections and opportunities.

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About USA Bobsled/Skeleton

USA Bobsled/Skeleton is the national governing body for the sports of bobsled and skeleton racing in the United States. Based in Lake Placid, NY, USA Bobsled/Skeleton oversees the development and training of American athletes at all levels of competition.