Being a professional athlete requires relentless effort, steadfast dedication, and facing high stakes. Entrepreneurs, does this resonate with you?
Much like sports, entrepreneurship demands exceptional commitment, self-motivation, and innovative thinking, which explains why many athletes successfully transition into business. Let’s delve into the journeys of some Olympians who have embraced entrepreneurship.
Jessica Ennis-Hill
Jessica Ennis-Hill, renowned for winning the heptathlon gold medal at the 2012 Olympics, co-founded ‘Jennis,’ a fitness app offering workout plans and coaching tailored for women at different life stages, including pregnancy.
Ennis-Hill launched Jennis to challenge the idea of a one-size-fits-all approach to fitness, enabling women to reach their personal best while considering their body’s changes. She leveraged her sports training experience to create a truly innovative business that challenges conventional norms.
Chris Hoy
Six-time Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Chris Hoy has ventured into various business fields. He founded Hoy Bikes, a brand of bicycles and accessories, and authored children’s books featuring a young cyclist.
Hoy applied his cycling expertise to the business world, with his bikes known for reliability and quality. Hoy Bikes is a collaboration between Evans Cycles and Hoy, merging cycling manufacturing experience with riding expertise.
Tom Daley
Olympic diver Tom Daley’s entrepreneurial journey was inspired by his sport in an unexpected way. Often seen knitting poolside between dives, Daley’s knitting habits caught global media attention. He described knitting as a stress-relief method.
He later launched a line of knitting kits, Made With Love by Tom Daley, reflecting his passion. Daley is actively involved in Made With Love’s marketing, demonstrating his connection to the business and the knitting community.
Kelly Holmes
Double gold medalist Kelly Holmes achieved success in middle-distance running at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Post-Olympics, she founded the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, supporting young athletes’ transition to life after sports, an experience Holmes herself faced.
The trust pairs young people with world-class athletes, offering mentorship and helping them find their path in sports. Since 2008, the trust has supported thousands facing adversity and fostered diversity in professional sports.
Adam Peaty
Renowned swimming champion and Olympic gold medalist Adam Peaty acknowledges the parallels between sports and business. Many solo athletes form a limited company to manage their income from sports, sponsorships, and appearances, and Peaty is no exception.
He operates an LTD under his name and owns The AP Race Club, a consultancy for swimmers, coaches, and businesses offering apparel, training, and swimming-related events.
Conclusion
The journeys of these remarkable athletes illustrate a seamless transition from sports to entrepreneurship, showcasing that the skills refined in the realm of physical excellence are invaluable in the business world. These Olympians demonstrate how discipline, resilience, and innovation—attributes honed through years of athletic training—are readily applicable to launching successful business ventures.
Their stories serve as inspiring reminders that the close of an athletic career can herald the beginning of a new and exciting chapter. They epitomize the power of blending passion with purpose, motivating both aspiring entrepreneurs and athletes to pursue their dreams beyond the competitive arena.
