Olympic athletes’ lives are shaped by competition, structured around training, and built on a foundation of athletic achievement at the highest level. That lifestyle is all-consuming, with athletes often sacrificing education and career pathways. After competition ends, dedication can become devastation, leaving elite athletes without a profession, goals, or even a sense of self.

“Skiing is everything to me,” says Hunter Hess, an Olympic hopeful on U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “I’ve dedicated my entire life to it, and I know when it ends, I’ll experience the tough stuff that comes with that, which so many athletes do slip into,” he continues. “Who am I? What do I do now? It’s a big fear for most athletes.”

Beyond the Podium, a new program at SLCC, promises a different pathway through the “tough stuff” of retirement for student-athletes in the U.S. Ski & Snowboard, US Speedskating, and USA Climbing programs. With free education, scheduling flexibility, remote learning, and career counselling, Beyond the Podium connects the top US student-athletes with a future outside of global competition and the four-year Olympic cycle.

In addition to preparation for that future, Beyond the Podium also supports training and competition today. Student-athletes have access to the Exercise Science program at SLCC, including resources like high-performance testing, biometric data analysis, and optimized nutrition strategies.

The program has roots in 2018, when SLCC first partnered with US Speedskating. The success was immediate and golden. Of 14 Bruin Olympians, five have medaled and one, speedskater Erin Jackson, has won gold.

When officially establishing Beyond the Podium in 2025, SLCC expanded that partnership to include U.S. Ski & Snowboard and USA Climbing, positioning the College as a critical resource for athletes in Utah for the upcoming Olympic Games in Milan (winter 2026) and Los Angeles (summer 2028) — and for everything that comes after.

“Our commitment is to support our athletes on and off the snow, in every facet of their life, and education is core to that mission,” says Sophie Goldschmidt, president of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “We’re looking forward to working with SLCC and supporting our athletes in their career advancement.”

SLCC President Greg Peterson shares that sentiment. “Their dedication is inspiring,” he says, “and we are proud to help them reach their Olympic dreams without having to sacrifice their educational and career aspirations.”

Beyond the Podium is made possible through a generous gift from Utah philanthropists Jeff and Helen Cardon.

“We saw a critical need to help athletes navigate life after years of intense competition,” says Helen Cardon. “For many, their identity is deeply tied to decades of training and performing, making the transition to new pursuits especially challenging — particularly from a mental health perspective.”

Jeff Cardon adds a call for more support. “This is an ongoing need, and we hope others will join us in supporting these athletes who dedicate their lives to representing America on the world stage.”

The Cardons’ scope may be expansive, but for student-athletes like Hess, the often-conflicting demands of training, travelling, and tackling an education require a very narrow focus.

“I wanted to find what would provide me the best ability to pivot and not feel like I was regressing in my personal and professional life,” he says. “I am taking classes now so I can walk away with a degree — with skills gained through education and skills gained from my professional ski career.”

It’s tough to balance, he admits, but ultimately worth it: “Education gives you more than it takes away if you are looking to create something.”

For Hess and so many student-athletes with Olympic aspirations, Beyond the Podium helps them create their own greatness, during and after competition.

To learn more or to support US student-athletes, visit slcc.edu/beyondthepodium