In 2024 Felix Dolci was part of the Canadian men's gymnastics team that finished 8th in the Paris Olympic Team final. This was the first time Canada had qualified a full mens team for the Games since Beijing 2008. Felix has been a driving force behind the recent resurgence of mens gymnastics in Canada and their success internationally. In 2023 he became the Pan American all around champion following on the back of helping Canada qualify for the Olympics. He was part of the new generation of athletes that grew up with the internet at their fingertips and has subsequently built a strong following online through social media. One of the standout moments of the Paris Games this summer was his fall from the High Bar in which his hand guard snapped in the all around final live on television. Incredibly he was able to continue performing and showed the world just how tough the sport of mens gymnastics can be. And this is his story.

In 2012 following the London Olympic Games I began to struggle mentally after experiencing such an incredible high point. At times I felt completely isolated and turned to partying in an attempt to numb those feelings of loneliness. Many athletes go through a similar process which is often referred to as the Olympic Blues. Four years later I had a different experience after failing to qualify for the Olympic team in Rio but it was equally as challenging to navigate. The Paris Games is now in the rear view mirror for most of us but the athletes that took centre stage will be gradually adapting back into their normal daily life. For me personally this time has been a great opportunity to reflect on the year so far and talk about parenthood, the podcast and my own training goals beyond 2024. And this is my story.

In 2024 it's easier than ever to share your story if you're an aspiring athlete and build a brand thanks to social media and the internet. However in some ways it's more difficult to stand out from the crowd and build a successful career in professional sports. With national governing bodies ever increasingly focussing on smaller groups of athletes, funding and elite sportsman or sportswoman's lifestyle is a massive financial challenge. Throughout my gymnastics journey I was supported by Red Bull, Sky Sports, My Protein, Super Dry, TURN Gymnastics, local businesses and local sports grants all of which helped support my career. In this episode I break down what I would do If I was to build a professional sports career in 2024. And this is my story.