Olympians look to build fitness businesses after athletics careers

The Australian Institute of Fitness has highlighted how a significant number of current and former Olympic athletes have looked to make fitness part of their futures.

The Institute has advised that “a number of Olympic athletes have become, or are currently in the process of becoming qualified as a Personal Trainer or Massage Therapist, certified as a Nutrition Coach and/or studying Fitness Business Essentials with the Australian Institute of Fitness.

“This includes current Olympic athletes Emily Seebohm and Brittany Elmslie (swimming), Alex Hagan (rowing), Melissa Wu (diving), and Glenn Turner (hockey).”

When the time comes for athletes them to compete in their last Olympics and retire from elite sports, the Australian Institute of Fitness explains that “it appears that ... a significant number of athletes (are) choosing to study while they are still competing at an elite level, or shortly afterwards.”

Choosing to study for a career in fitness while training as an Olympic athlete not only complements and enhances their own training but also helps an athlete to prepare for their future beyond elite sport.

According to Olympic swimming Champion and Australian Institute of Fitness Master Trainer (personal trainer) graduate, Emily Seebohm “studying at the Australian Institute of Fitness has helped me in my swimming career and it will help me in later life as well".

Other Australian Olympic legends, including Leisel Jones and Libby Trickett (swimming), and Matt Shirvington (athletics) have chosen to study on retirement, which has seen them build on their existing sports knowledge and passion to create new business opportunities.

Three-time Olympian, Libby Trickett, is currently studying the Australian Institute of Fitness Master Trainer Program to become a personal trainer.

Trickett has just completed her Certificate III in Fitness and will now move on to study for her Certificate IV, which will see her qualified as a Personal Trainer.

She explains “with my experience through swimming, I have always been interested in how the body works and how to maximise performance but since retiring I’ve also become very interested in and incredibly aware of how important it is to take care of your body for both physical and mental health.

“I would like to be able to educate and help people take care of their bodies and their minds to allow them to live happy and functional lives. My big picture goal is to incorporate health fitness and wellness in the corporate world.”

The Australian Institute of Fitness currently supports Australian athletes through its Elite Athlete Program.

The program offers scholarships to athletes through partnerships with organisations including Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS), Hockey Australia and The Rugby Union Players’ Association (RUPA).

Australian Institute of Fitness Chief Executive Dyanne Ward explains “there’s a great buzz on our Campuses at the moment as we celebrate all the outstanding Olympic athletes who we are proud to call ‘friends’ (students) and ‘warriors’ (graduates).

“We are proud be helping them to build successful businesses in the fitness and health industry long after they have retired from elite sports.”

Australian athletes currently competing at the Olympics who are Students and Graduates of the Australian Institute of Fitness:

Emily Seebohm - swimming - Master Trainer Graduate 
Brittany Elmslie - swimming - Fitness Instructor 
Graduate Melissa Wu - diving - Master Trainer Student 
Glenn Turner - hockey - Master Trainer Student 
Alex Hagan - rowing - Massage Therapist Graduate 

Past Australian Olympic athletes who are Students and Graduates of the Australian Institute of Fitness: 

Leisel Jones - swimming - Nutrition Coach and Master Trainer Student 
Libby Trickett - swimming - Master Trainer Student 
Matt Shirvington - running - Master Trainer Graduate 
Matt Welsh - swimming - Master Trainer and Business Graduate 
Stacey Porter - softball - Master Trainer Graduate 
Vanesssa Stokes - softball - Master Trainer Graduate 
Jesse Phillips - kayaking - Fitness Instructor Graduate 
Travis Nederpelt - swimming - Master Trainer Graduate 
Casey Vincent - running - Master Trainer Graduate 
Tamsin Hinchley - beach volleyball - Master Trainer and Business Graduate 
Mark Anthony - judo - Master Trainer and Business Graduate 
Robert Frank - table tennis - Fitness Instructor Graduate

Image: Libby Trickett.

25th May 2016 - AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF FITNESS UPDATES ITS CURRICULUM

18th March 2016 - AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF FITNESS SHARES STUDENT INSIGHTS

26th February 2016 - STUDY FINDS PERSONAL TRAINING SET TO BE A STABLE FUTURE JOB

11th February 2016 - FITNESS INSTRUCTOR NUMBERS SET TO GROW BY UP TO 50% IN FIVE YEARS