18. Monica Aksamit - U.S. Olympian, Sabre Fencer and Fitness Model

As a member of the U.S. Women’s Sabre Olympic Team, Monica won a bronze medal for the U.S. Women’s team in 2016. More recently, she and her teammates won gold at the 2019 Pan Am games and before COVID-19 hit was in preparation for team qualification for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. A former two time team national champion in college at Penn State University, Monica has had by any measure an incredibly accomplished and successful career in the sport of fencing. In today’s show Monica discusses her preparation for what was supposed to be the 2020 Olympic Games. What it was like to be caught oversees in Poland during the COVID-19 International Travel Ban. How she was introduced to the sport of fencing and why it was more than just a fun after school activity. She discusses how the sport and the perception of fencing has changed. An international overview of the sport and the various disciplines that make up the broader sport. Monica details what it takes mentally and physically to be a great fencer. What her training has looked like in the past and how experience has changed the way she approaches the sport today. We discuss the viral crowdfunding campaign that put her in the public eye. Her recent venture into fitness modeling and how she alters that compared to her training for performance. We learn how the funding system for amateur athletes actually works and why it is in dire need of change in America. Finally, what Monica as an aspiring Olympic Athlete is doing to keep her sanity during the pandemic. Follow Monica: Instagram:  @monicaaksamit Follow The Professional Athlete Podcast with Ken Gunter: Instagram: @the_professionalathlete Website: https://kengunter.com/ YouTube: Ken Gunter https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRhgjkoSiJXAbS_MIasvvzQ/ Produced By: Justin Gunter, Ken Gunter Music By: Justin Gunter, Ken Gunter