With Olympians: Michael Johnson & Summer Sanders 07/30/24
Jul 30, 2024
auto_awesome
Join legendary sprinter Michael Johnson and Olympic champion swimmer Summer Sanders as they discuss their groundbreaking initiatives for athletes. Johnson reveals his Grand Slam Track initiative, aimed at enhancing exposure and financial opportunities in track and field. Meanwhile, Sanders shares insights on helping athletes transition to fulfilling careers post-sport through education and mentorship. They reflect on the pressures of Olympic competition and the mental health challenges athletes face, providing an inspiring look at life beyond the gold medal.
Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track initiative aims to professionalize track and field, promoting fair compensation and consistent competition opportunities for athletes.
Summer Sanders highlights the importance of preparing athletes for life after sports, focusing on acquiring new skills and mental health support during transitions.
Deep dives
Investment Strategies Compared to Sandwich Making
Building a portfolio with Fidelity's basket portfolios is likened to making a sandwich, emphasizing the simplicity of selecting stocks and ETFs to create a comprehensive investment. This analogy suggests that investors can easily manage their investments as a single entity, empowering them to take control of their financial futures. Just as one tailors a sandwich to personal taste, investors can customize their portfolios according to their specific financial goals and risk tolerance. The discussion encourages a more approachable view of investing, highlighting that it does not need to be an overwhelming process.
Olympic Athletes Transitioning to New Roles
Summer Sanders, an Olympic gold medalist swimmer, emphasizes the need for athletes to prepare for life after sports, a time often filled with uncertainty. She discusses a partnership with Guild and Team USA that aims to assist athletes in acquiring new skills and education, which are essential in tackling the challenges faced post-competition. The initiative focuses on providing purpose and direction, crucial for mental health, when athletes transition from their peak performance back to everyday life. This program reflects the understanding that all athletes, irrespective of their fame, will ultimately face the question: what's next?
Enhancing Track and Field as a Professional Sport
Michael Johnson has launched Grand Slam Track, a new league designed to professionalize track and field by creating a framework similar to major tennis events. This initiative aims to host four marquee events annually where top athletes can compete for substantial prize money, ensuring they are compensated fairly for their performances. Johnson argues that the league will fill the gap between Olympic appearances, offering athletes consistent opportunities to showcase their talents. By adopting strategies from other successful sports, this initiative hopes to elevate track and field in the eyes of fans and sponsors alike.
An Engaging Olympics Experience
The ongoing Olympic Games in Paris provide a vibrant backdrop, showcasing not only athletic excellence but also the rich ambiance of iconic venues. Coverage includes thrilling accounts from events like gymnastics, where Team USA secured a bronze, and the electrifying atmosphere during fencing matches staged in historical locations. The enthusiasm among fans from different nations is palpable, with cheers echoing for athletes, enhancing the shared experience among spectators. This dynamic environment underlines the significance of the Olympics as a celebration of global unity and sportsmanship, captivating both attendees and remote audiences.
At the Olympics in Paris, Joe Kernen, Becky Quick, and Andrew Ross Sorkin sit down with Gold medalist Olympic sprinter Michael Johnson. The legendary runner is pushing his sport forward with Grand Slam Track, designed to increase exposure and salary for athletes in track and field. 1992 Olympic champion swimmer Summer Sanders is helping athletes leverage their training for success after sports with Team USA Partner Guild. She reflects on the mental fortitude needed for a post-gold transition, as well as the many translatable skills from athletics to the workplace. NBC’s Willie Geist swings by the Squawk set for an update on the most-watched games and viral moments so far. Tune into the Olympics on NBC for all the Games! Plus, today’s other headlines: Delta is managing the fallout from its major software outage, and Apple’s new AI features could help you with car sickness.