Most interesting post-gymnastics careers

[Senor Nico]

There are a number of gymnasts who are so talented at what they do that they often end up doing great things after their retirement from gymnastics, whether it's a job or new sport they take up. What are some of the most interesting gymnasts who have had an incredible afterlife?

I have to say, Vanda Hadarean is the first one who comes to mind. Even though she wasn't exactly the "star" of the Romanian team in the early '90s, she still did well at the Worlds and Olympics for her time. But I can't get over how amazing she's done as a fitness competitor since gymnastics. The woman has won Ms. Fitness World three times in a row! Her shape is fantastic, and she's still able to do lots of her gymnastics moves! Hell, I can't help but think she could make a comeback in gymnastics if she really wanted!

Like Vanda, Alexandra Croak never really stood out on the Aussie gymnastics team, but I do think it's incredible she made it to the Olympics twice in different sports: gymnastics and diving!

I also have to mention Nadia for maintaining an active profile long after her gymnastics career.

[LilyPod]

What about Liu Xuan? Isn't she a famous singer in China?

[alattejavatoo]

Originally Posted by Senor Nico

There are a number of gymnasts who are so talented at what they do that they often end up doing great things after their retirement from gymnastics, whether it's a job or new sport they take up. What are some of the most interesting gymnasts who have had an incredible afterlife?

I have to say, Vanda Hadarean is the first one who comes to mind. Even though she wasn't exactly the "star" of the Romanian team in the early '90s, she still did well at the Worlds and Olympics for her time. But I can't get over how amazing she's done as a fitness competitor since gymnastics. The woman has won Ms. Fitness World three times in a row! Her shape is fantastic, and she's still able to do lots of her gymnastics moves! Hell, I can't help but think she could make a comeback in gymnastics if she really wanted!

Like Vanda, Alexandra Croak never really stood out on the Aussie gymnastics team, but I do think it's incredible she made it to the Olympics twice in different sports: gymnastics and diving!

I also have to mention Nadia for maintaining an active profile long after her gymnastics career.

Marcia Frederick (the first US women's world champion) was also a very successful fitness competitor.

[gymrat]

Phoebe Mills for sure. She went on to a diving scholarship at the University of Miami, competing in the sport at the U.S. Olympic Festival and the National Championships. She then became a snowboarder and snowboarding coach, helping to guide the US Junior National Team. She also went to law school graduating in 2004. Amazing post-Olympic career.

Shannon Miller is the same way. She graduated from the University of Houston in 2003 with a BBA and then went to law school. Of course, we all know what she is up to now. Both Mills and Miller (maybe it's something to do with having Mill in your name? ) have done great things with their lives outside of gymnastics.

[smiles]

Definitely Amy Chow. Med school at Stanford, and now she's a pediatrician, right?
She's the most successful person ever. I'm SO jealous of her.

[nlm2183]

Originally Posted by LilyPod

What about Liu Xuan? Isn't she a famous singer in China?

Is she? I thought she was an actress. Maybe she is both. Carly Patterson, of course, is a singer. So is Sabina Cojocar.

Li Ning is a very successful businessman, owning a major sports apparel company (not just gymnastics stuff - his company is big, kind of like Nike and Adidas). I'm extremely impressed by what he's accomplished. Li Xiaoshuang also has a sports apparel company.

Betty Okino did some acting/TV hosting. I'd like an update on her because her IMDB page hasn't been updated in a while, and I wonder if she's moved on to something else.

Several of the Mag 7 members have done multiple things (I'm proud of all of them, really): Amy Chow is a doctor now and did pole vaulting. Dominique Dawes did Broadway and was once the president of the Women's Sports Foundation, does some coaching and has done some commentary. Shannon Miller had a gymnastics show on CN8 and has been involved with a number of projects. Kerri Strug was once a teacher and works in DC for the president (well, she did for Bush, I wonder if she still does now). Both she and Dawes did sports analyst jobs for Yahoo! for the last couple of Olympics respectively as well. Shannon, Kerri, and Dominique Dawes all do motivational speaking, too. Amanda was a teacher and owns a gym and does commentary.

Tatiana Lysenko went to law school, and I think she is done and is a lawyer now.

[alattejavatoo]

Keri has done much, much more than motivational speaking. She was a Senate page, worked at the Treasury Department and last I heard works at the Justice Department.

How about Valeri Liukin? We all know how successful he's been post competition. Liang Chow. Kim Zmeskal. Brandy Johnson. Chris Waller. Bart and Nadia.

[agrippina]

Andrea Molnar -- Doing fart films with Ron Jeremy
Mitch Gaylord -- Soft core porn in the 90's

[Elaine]

Originally Posted by nlm2183

Is she? I thought she was an actress. Maybe she is both. Carly Patterson, of course, is a singer. So is Sabina Cojocar.

Yes, she is. I don't think she is that famous, but she has released a few singles. I'll give you a link to two of her songs...

http://triplefull.blogspot.com/2009/...nd-single.html

Maria Olaru apparently has a PhD. Good on her -- I always thought she was a smart girl.

[sqekcx]

Liu Xuan is not famous as a singer, but I think she has been in some movies and TV drama shows. IIRC, she will also star in a drama coming up in Hong Kong.

And really? Mitch Gaylord has done porn?