One rebel of an Olympian
With each Olympics that roll around there are always really cool back-stories on some of the athletes. This is one of my favorites of the London, 2012 Olympics.
Anthony Ervin-
Anthony won a gold medal in the 50 meter freestyle swim in Sydney, 2000. He returned home and his life took a different turn of events. At age 22 he quit swimming.
He sold off his gold medal (to aid the Tsunami effort), fell into the wicked world of alcohol, drugs, tobacco and women. Lots of all four. This was his lifestyle for many years until he took a position teaching children to swim. The compass started to turn and he reimmersed himself into a healthier lifestyle, quitting his favorite vices.
Fast forward to 2012, he stands proud as a member of the 2012 Olympic swimming team with hopes of bringing home more gold. Anthony sets an example for the world that no matter what roads we travel, we all have the inner fortitude to put the train back on it’s tracks.
During an interview when asked if he had any regrets about his choices, he had this to say:
“How do you move forward with one’s life if you hold on to regret?” If you turn around, you’d be like Lot’s wife. You’d just be a pillar of salt. You wouldn’t grow. You’d remain stagnant. So in that sense, no; no regrets.”
His approach to swimming is so damn refreshing,
“I’m not saving a life or detonating the sun,” he says. “I’m just swimming one lap. It’s a stunt, a well-performed acrobatic.”
A full interview is featured in Rolling Stone magazine and is well worth the read:
25 Comments on “One rebel of an Olympian”
Your words on my words
It’s More than a picture, It’s Life
Thanks for the story Lynne, and the link. Good RS article. Ervin swam with Cullen Jones, then. The final should be on tonight. A good night for a pool… ~ Lily
His story of hope & focus really impressed me.. Shows us all it’s never too late:-)
Oh I love the swimming, meet ya @ the pool Lily !
Great back story. He sounds pretty awesome, like he has his head screwed on right. (sometimes making a few wrong turns in life helps us to navigate expertly later on.)
I thought so too.. Just shows me we can walk through & out the fire and be ok
Lynne,
I did not know of Mr. Ervin. The most eloquent thing I come come up with is “Fuck yeah”!
Le Clown
Le Clown.
I second that emotion.. Now that’s an Olympian!!
Lynne
That’s pretty cool. Glad he got his life back on track.
very inspiring for sure..
women – evil?
this was inspiring – thanks for sharing
oh no we are not evil, he was womanizing though and freely admitted it.. yes, he is an inspiration for many
ah, now I get it – am rather thick sometimes
My favorite human interest stories always revolve around fall, and redemption. As Jeff Bridges said in the movie Seabiscuit, “sometimes all a person needs is a second chance.” Great post.
Well said.. it’s those that get up and drive on are those that i respect.. i mean he went from junkie back to being an Olympian. Damn awesome!
Wow – one of my favourite blog posts in a while… thanks for sharing!
You are quite welcome.. I find his story inspirational!
Great post I’ll also add thanks for the link!
You are very welcome..:-)
I stared at Anthony so long I forget to read the post. Good to know he’s easy on the eyes and has a beautiful soul to boot!
Ha, yes he is easy on the eyes for sure… Good to see that the “bad living” did not break him down..
What an amazing and inspiring guy! What a treat to read this back story.
I love to read about people such as him. Keeps me motivated!
It was a long article about him in a Swedish newspaper a few days ago,
. I was truly impressed by how he turned his life around again, great inspiration.
How cool Sweden ran an article on him.. he really is quite inspirational and I respect people that dig deep for that inner strength and rise above the darkness
Me too,
.
Good for him putting something back…. and glad that he’s now living a positive life again.