Prior to watching this meeting, please watch the animated movie that started the conversation.

[**ONE: The Animated Film**](https://youtu.be/EHfqQCyNgaY)

This meeting was a discussion about the film "The Athletic Identity" featuring former swimmers Tom Richner and Aaron Cole, who created an animated film about athletic transitions after college. The conversation included Olympic diver Greg Louganis and Paralympic swimmer Dave Denniston, exploring how athletes navigate life after competitive sports. The participants discussed how athletic identity can be both a strength and a challenge during transitions, with Greg sharing his experience of being defined by his Olympic achievements and Dave describing his difficult journey after a spinal cord injury ended his swimming career. The discussion covered topics including the IOC's Athlete365 Career Plus program, the importance of support systems for athletes, and how coaching can help with the transition process. The meeting highlighted the ongoing challenges athletes face in adjusting to life after competitive sports and the importance of maintaining connections with fellow athletes.

**Swim Coaches Meeting Updates**

The meeting began with casual greetings and updates among participants, including Glenn's return after a trip to China and his attendance at the College Swim Coaches Association meeting. Barbara shared her connection to the Denison pool and discussed her background in Worcester. Dave joined the meeting and mentioned the construction of a large pool in Wyoming, noting some challenges with the project. The group discussed logistics for the meeting, including managing participant access and accommodating those with time constraints, such as Aaron who had to leave for a flight.

**Athletic Transition Process Discussion**

Glenn introduced a discussion about the athletic transition process, mentioning a new film and the concept of "Athletic Identity Foreclosure." He invited Tom Richner and Aaron Cole to share their backgrounds. Tom discussed his path from swimming at Denniston to studying animation at UCLA, where he worked on The Simpsons, and later returning to swimming through masters programs. Aaron shared his experience as a lifelong competitive swimmer who transitioned to a career in finance after college, before returning to swimming through masters programs in recent years.

**Animated Film Development Discussion**

The discussion focused on the creation of an animated film about life transitions, with Thomas explaining his role as a character animator on The Simpsons for 38 years and how he approached drawing characters like Lisa Simpson. Aaron shared the motivation behind making the film, which originated from a conversation with a successful alumni who expressed doubt about achieving similar success in the real world after college. Thomas explained that animation was chosen as the medium due to its ability to depict fantasy sequences and battle scenes involving creatures, as well as the opportunity to work with talented artists from places like Disney and the Cleveland Institute of Art.

**Swimming as Safe Haven Story**

The group discussed the opening of a movie that depicts swimming as a safe haven from bullying. Aaron explained that starting with this pain was important for telling an authentic story about how swimming provided a sense of safety and motivation during challenging times. Thomas and Aaron discussed how athletic strengths can become weaknesses in different life contexts, with Aaron noting that while confidence and competitiveness are necessary for athletic success, they may need to be modified in business settings. The conversation touched on how intense passion and obsession required for athletic success can create challenges when transitioning to other areas of life.

**Sports and Artistic Expression Discussion**

Glenn and Thomas discussed the balance between structured sports and artistic expression, with Thomas sharing how his swimming background helped him as an animator by enhancing his understanding of movement. Aaron explained that while he didn't view competitors as monsters in the film, the depiction reflected his personal struggles with demons, and clarified that coaches were present but minimized in the movie to focus on team and relationships. The discussion concluded with Aaron and Thomas reflecting on supporting athletes transitioning out of competitive swimming, including exploring the creation of a Masters team to provide ongoing support to swimmers.

**Greg's Diving Career and Philosophy**

Glenn and Greg discussed Greg's diving career and his approach to the sport. Greg explained that his love and passion were for his coach rather than the sport itself, and he described his coaching philosophy of "coaching from the inside out." Greg shared insights about the artistry and precision required in diving, emphasizing how each dive is a unique creation within the brief moment of execution. The conversation highlighted Greg's perspective on competition and inspiration within the sport, noting how other divers like Bruce Kimball motivated him to achieve greater challenges.

**Defining Identity Beyond Achievements**

Greg shared his early experience as a performer at age 3, where his teacher helped him develop fluid movements by increasing the tempo and expecting immediate success. He discussed how this experience shaped his approach to challenges throughout his life, including his transition from elite sports to regular life after being diagnosed with HIV in 1988. Greg reflected on the challenge of defining himself beyond his athletic achievements and titles, questioning who he is apart from his Olympic success and records. Glenn noted how society can unintentionally define people by their achievements rather than their personal identity.

**Greg Louganis Post-Olympic Life Discussion**

Greg Louganis discussed his experience dealing with public expectations following his Olympic diving career, noting how people often assume they know who he is based on his famous achievements. He reflected on his relationship with coach Ron O'Brien, explaining how he sometimes lived vicariously through Greg's success while giving him choices in training approaches. Greg expressed uncertainty about his identity beyond his athletic achievements and discussed how some of his contemporaries have found it easier to transition away from elite sports due to better support systems.

**Life Transitions and Personal Growth**

Greg and Glenn discussed life transitions and personal growth, with Greg sharing his experiences about embracing self-worth and resilience. Greg emphasized the importance of reframing negative narratives and focusing on blessings, drawing from his own challenging experiences including abuse and adoption. Glenn then transitioned to discussing a former athlete named Dave, who experienced an involuntary transition due to a sledding accident, noting that difficult situations reveal a person's true character.

**Paralympic Athlete Career Transition Discussion**

Glenn and Dave discussed Dave's transition from being an Olympic swimmer to a Paralympic athlete after a spinal cord injury. Dave shared how he learned to redefine his identity beyond being an Olympian and emphasized the importance of confidence and making bold decisions in life. Glenn highlighted Dave's achievements, including his role as a Paralympic coach and head coach at Wyoming, and mentioned their ongoing connection through social media. The conversation ended with Glenn mentioning research on an IOC program called Athletics 365 Career Plus, which aims to support athletes through transitions, though the discussion was cut off.

**Athlete Career Transition Support Systems**

The group discussed Athlete365 Career Plus, focusing on the need for better support systems for athletes transitioning out of competitive sports, particularly in collegiate settings where there is currently only a 22% profit share compared to none for Olympic athletes. Greg shared his personal experience of delayed retirement and the challenges he faced in establishing trust funds for athletes. The discussion concluded with reflections on the importance of mentorship and coaching in athlete transitions, with participants emphasizing the value of community support and sharing resources like the recently created film about athlete transitions.


Sign In to watch video

May 12, 2026 - What Happens After You're Done Competing