What's it like to be an Olympian, a Cirque du Soleil performer, and a Vice President of Entertainment and Pictures for Shark Tank Robert Herjavec's company? Well, that's why I've got my next guest Mary Sanders on the show to tell me, in addition to sharing the lessons she's learned about reinventing herself (multiple times) which she documents in her new book 9 Lives by 35: An Olympic Gymnast's Inspiring Story of Reinvention.
Mary learned the value of a dollar early in life when her dad passed away when she was 8 and her mom had to raise her and her siblings on a single income. Inspired by her dad's legacy as a Big Ten Champion, she started taking gymnastics seriously and soon became a two-time Canadian Champion in Rhythmic Gymnastics. Keen to reach her full potential, she started competing for the U.S. and eventually made it to the 2004 Olympics.
But what happens when you've aged out of professional sports? You need to reinvent yourself, which is what Mary did by starting a new career with Cirque du Soleil. But after several years as a performer, she realized she needed to pivot again, which brought her to her current career in business.
Mary's story of starting from almost nothing to becoming a champion gymnast to then having to switch careers multiple times should serve as inspiration for us all that life isn't a straight and narrow path and it's okay to experience setbacks in life. What's important is to keep going, changing, and being open to what life has in store for you next.
For full episode show notes visit: https://jessicamoorhouse.com/380