How to Become an Olympic Athlete with Olympian Jarrod Shoemaker

In episode 8, we’re talking about advice for Olympic athletes and what it takes to be an Olympian.

Today’s guest is Jarrod Shoemaker, Olympian, Professional Triathlete. I know Jarrod from growing up together in Sudbury, Massachusetts where we played baseball together. While we both enjoyed baseball, Jarrod found success beyond baseball, he became a professional triathlete and Olympian.

Here is a 2008 US Olympian, 2005 ITU Under 23 World Champion, 2009 ITU Duathlon World Champion, 2005-2016 USA Triathlon National Team Athlete, 3x US National Champion. He has used his athlete brand to enter the financial industry.

In this episode:

Jarrod’s favorite athlete growing up and why
How Jarrod’s running career started
Jarrod credits a lot of his success to his coaches and why it takes a village to make it to the Olympics
Jarrod reflects on his time at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School and Dartmouth College
The different types of pressure that athletes face
Why it is important to keep things fun
What might surprise you about being an Olympian
Why it’s important to align with sponsors that align with your authentic brand
The value of media training for athletes
How a newspaper article from 12 years ago can become relevant again because of COVID-19
Why it is important to capitalize on your marketability during your career and leverage it after
Name, image and likeness expansion and what it might mean for future Olympians
Leveraging your athlete brand on a local level
Jarrod gives a lot of credit to Simone Biles and Michael Phelps stepping up and calling attention to the importance of mental health
Why Jarrod almost missed closing ceremonies because his body maxed out
Why Jarrod missed the 2012 Olympics and why you need a good support system
The importance of a sports psychologist
How Jarrod used his athlete brand to get into the financial industry
The importance of setting goals for life after sports
When an athlete should talk to a financial advisor
Jarrod’s advice for athletes who want to participate in the Olympics