117: Marilyn Okoro: Olympian to Shaping Inclusive Leadership - Navigating Cultural Expectations and Systemic Change

2ndwind Academy Podcast

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What if the toughest streets of Stonebridge, Northwest London, were the unlikely training ground for a future Olympian and corporate leader? In this episode, Ryan dives deep into the life and career of Marilyn Okoro, a British track & field athlete, 800m specialist, and Athlete Welfare Change Maker. She represented Great Britain at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where she was part of the 4x400m relay team that won a bronze medal (upgraded to silver in 2016).

From a young girl with a passion for running to becoming one of the world's elite athletes, Marilyn’s story is one of resilience, perseverance, and transformation, shedding light on the realities of pursuing excellence in sports and the profound challenges faced during and after an athletic career. Known for her resilience and candidness, Marilyn has become an advocate for athlete welfare and mental health, working to ensure the holistic well-being of sportspeople beyond their competitive careers.

Tune in to learn more about:

• Reflections of her transitioning from Sport to Corporate Life
• Emphasizes on the significance of role models and mentors who champion your growth and vision
• How the boldness required in athletics (facing stadiums full of spectators) translates into the corporate environment.
• Juggling her athletic career with academic commitments and the importance of maintaining a beautiful balance between sports and education.
• The stages of retirement she experienced: logical, physical, and emotional, and how each played a role in her journey
• The emotional and psychological aspects of retiring from sports and nuggets on how to navigate life that life season,

…and so much more!

Are you looking for Career Clarity for your next step, for more information, or to book a consultancy, make sure you check out www.2ndwind.io

Links:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/marilynokorooly

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilynokorooly

Kapitel

1. Athlete Transition to Corporate Sales (00:00:00)

2. From Stonebridge to the Olympics (00:09:13)

3. Navigating Athletics and Academic Transitions (00:14:35)

4. Financial Literacy and Athlete Transition (00:22:07)

5. Athlete Branding and Financial Transition (00:25:30)

6. Life After Athletics (00:36:42)

7. Emotional Challenges in Athlete Retirement (00:43:17)

8. Champion's Journey Towards Systemic Change (00:50:41)

9. Embracing Transition With Resilience (00:58:05)