It’s not uncommon for professional athletes to struggle after retiring from their sport.
But Olympic champion Stephanie Rice has managed to avoid the trappings of life after competitive swimming.
The former athlete, 29, told The Daily Telegraph that she enjoys not being in the press ‘all the time’ but her public profile still gives her the opportunity to work with premium brands.
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‘People said I had to be on TV to stay relevant’: Stephanie Rice revealed how she is managing life post-retirement on Friday – after THAT feud with Roxy Jacenko on The Celebrity Apprentice
‘I’ve had a number of people advise me that I had to do something in order to still be relevant, I had to be on TV,’ the Unichi ambassador said on Friday.
‘And I was like, “I don’t want to do something just to stay relevant for money.” I would rather work nine to five and be happy.’
Stephanie, won three gold medals at the 2008 Olympic Games, added that the fact she is selective about the companies she associates with works to her advantage.
‘I think the reason I have brand value is because I’m really specific about who I am and what I want to share,’ she said.
Selective: The former athlete told The Daily Telegraph that she enjoys not being in the press ‘all the time’ but her public profile still gives her the opportunity to work with premium brands
However, Stephanie is certainly no stranger to television appearances, having won season three of The Celebrity Apprentice in 2013.
During that show, she famously feuded with fellow contestant, Sydney PR queen Roxy Jacenko.
In 2014, Roxy described Stephanie as ‘without question… one of the rudest and laziest people (she had) ever met.’
Reality TV fame: However, Stephanie is certainly no stranger to television appearances, having won season three of The Celebrity Apprentice in 2013
Not here to make friends! During that show, Stephanie feuded with publicist Roxy Jacenko
The publicist has continued to reference their rivalry in the media, but Stephanie insisted earlier this year that she had moved on.
‘It doesn’t impact my life in any way,’ she told Fairfax Media in March.
‘For me, and it doesn’t matter who the person is, if you hold onto grudges or negative experiences, you don’t allow yourself to move on.’
On track: It’s not uncommon for professional athletes to struggle after retiring from their sport – but Unichi ambassador Stephanie has managed to stay afloat. Pictured with Grant Hackett