Apolo Ohno is a renowned retired American speed skater who has proudly earned eight Olympic medals, distinguishing him as one of the most victorious Winter Olympians ever. Since his retirement from competitive sports, he has enthusiastically embraced multiple ventures such as television hosting, motivational speaking, and philanthropy. In this blog post, we’ll explore what incredible accomplishments Apolo Ohno is currently achieving.
Early Life and Career
Before we learn about what Ohno is up to currently, it’s valuable to take a brief dive into his formative years and accomplishments. On May 22nd, 1982, he was born in Seattle Washington; shortly after that time, he began to speed skating training at a young age. By the time he had become a teenager, his talent for the sport had already been clearly demonstrated.
At just 14 years old, he made a name for himself as the youngest U.S. National Champion in short-track speed skating history! He proceeded to take part in three Olympic Games (2002, 2006, and 2010), collecting an impressive eight medals over that time period.
Retirement from Sports
Ohno finally bid farewell to competitive speed skating in 2013, when he was just 31 years old. After failing to qualify for the 2014 Winter Olympics held in Sochi, Russia, he made up his mind and declared his retirement plans that had been anticipated beforehand. At that time in a statement issued by him, he expressed enthusiasm towards the new opportunities life has ahead of him saying,”I’m excited about entering this next chapter”.
Television Hosting
Since retiring from sports, Apolo Ohno has become a well-known television personality. He has had the honor of being an NBC commentator for multiple Winter Olympics and he also hosted popular reality shows such as Minute to Win It and Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge. In 2018, his star power shined even brighter when he became the host of The Wall–a game show that aired on NBC which was a major hit with viewers! His captivating hosting style earned him generous praise by critics alike.
Motivational Speaking
Not only is Ohno a well-known television personality, but he has earned a reputation as an esteemed motivational speaker. Companies such as Nike, Starbucks, and Coca-Cola have hired him to speak at their events due to his expertise in subjects like goal setting, perseverance, and leadership. He even wrote the book “Zero Regrets: Be Greater Than Yesterday” which was released in 2010 – further solidifying himself among the ranks of inspiring speakers!
Philanthropy
Subsequently, post-retirement from sports Ohno has been actively engaged in philanthropy. He is the brains behind The Apolo Anton Ohno Foundation which strives to ensure underserved youth reach their ultimate potential via learning, athletics, and engagement with society at large.
The Ohno Foundation has been generous in providing funding and support for a variety of projects, such as after-school programs, leadership training sessions, and sports camps. Along with these initiatives, the foundation has also taken part in other charitable activities like Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure and Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong Foundation campaign.
Looking Ahead
Apolo Ohno has achieved a great deal since his retirement from sports, and he isn’t setting the brakes on anytime soon. In 2018, he took part in an interview with Forbes where he shared that he is always seeking out new adventures to expand and develop himself as a person. He exclaimed that it was exhilarating to think about what was ahead of him–it is unknown can be both thrilling and intimidating all at once!
Ohno has recently become passionate about the merging of technology and wellness. He ardently believes that tech can be a beneficial partner in keeping people healthy, so he’s been investing in various companies that are making advances toward this goal.
In 2018, Technogym appointed Ohno as their global ambassador, and ever since he has been ardently advertising the company’s goods and services. Additionally, his involvement in other tech-related projects is extensive – from investing in the digital health platform LifeNome to many more ventures.
Aside from technology and wellness, Ohno had a hankering for new experiences in the entertainment industry. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he alluded to his desire of getting back into acting; something that he was already familiar with before becoming a full-time athlete.
Conclusion
In the end, Apolo Ohno has had a prosperous and multifaceted career since retiring from competitive sports. As an esteemed TV host, inspirational speaker, humanitarian advocate, and investor – he continues to find fresh possibilities in many areas. While it’s impossible to understand what exactly Ohno will do next, one thing is certain: his enthusiasm for learning new things while leaving positive effects beyond himself remains unwavering!
