Olympic Gold Medalist Lauryn Williams Trades $200,000 Nike Deal for $12/Hour Internship

After a decade as an Olympic gold medalist and elite athlete, Lauryn Williams took an unconventional career pivot, swapping her $200,000 Nike deal for a $12-per-hour internship to pursue her passion as a financial advisor.

Now 40, Williams leverages her athletic experience and finance degree to guide younger athletes and professionals in managing their money through her firm, Worth Winning.

Williams, who retired from track and field in 2013 and later from bobsledding in 2014, realized her athletic earnings wouldn’t last a lifetime.

To secure her financial future and help others avoid common pitfalls, she became a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) in 2017.

Despite two previous failed attempts, Williams persisted and gained practical experience through a CFP internship that shaped her approach to financial advising.

“What people don’t realize is that even with a $200,000 income, you have to pay agents and taxes, so the money doesn’t go as far as it seems,” Williams shared.

Her personal experience with misaligned financial advisors during her athletic career inspired her to become a resource for others facing similar challenges.

Now a financial advisor and educator, Williams emphasizes the importance of strategic savings, retirement planning, and understanding the financial realities of life beyond sports.

Her firm serves athletes and young professionals, helping them achieve financial independence.

Williams continues to speak on financial literacy while serving as an ambassador for the CFP Board Center for Financial Planning, dedicating herself to empowering others through informed financial decisions.