Ordinary Individuals and Celebrity Athletes: The Motivation Behind Running Training Sessions
In an exclusive interview, we chatted with Olesya Krasnomovets, a decorated sports legend who traded her sports career for entrepreneurship. Instead of venturing into politics like many champions do post-retirement, Olesya found herself in the world of business, thanks to a surprising turn of events.
Too Good for Accounting, Built for Coaching:I had my eyes set on the Ministry of Sports. They'd promised benefits for promoting sports among youth and children. But it didn't pan out as planned. They needed an accountant, not a sports whiz. I shook my head and declared, "Not for me."
An opportunity arose shortly after to extend my athletic journey by participating in the Universiade as a student. I discovered my knack for coaching during those training sessions. By 2013, I was confident that I'd found my niche. I thank my lucky stars daily for escaping the Ministry of Sports and embracing my destiny. I thrive on giving, not taking, which keeps me blissful.
Running Schools: Fresh Off the Starting Blocks
When Olesya stepped onto the scene 15 years ago, Russia was far from being a running powerhouse. There were hardly any running schools, and light athletics couldn't rival other sports in popularity.
The running boom in Russia came from abroad, hitting Moscow first with the first-ever Moscow Marathon. Inspired, Olesya launched her own running school, Run4Life, following a stint at another school that didn't quite align with her vision.
Breaking Away from the Herd:After gaining experience, Olesya felt it was time to shake up the concept and ideology, which led to a clash. For her, fostering whole-body health was more important than churning out recreational runners who could conquer a half marathon in seven weeks.
At the previous school, she felt a heavy sense of responsibility for her students, working with many of them for free. Still, it was that journey that made her realize she needed her own path—one driven by love for people, not money.
The Trap of Personal Branding
Feeding the flames of her personal brand, Olesya quickly became the face of Run4Life. But as her business grew, she faced a constant struggle for time, prompting a restructuring of the business model.
Divorce and the Dawn of a New Era:Until last year, Olesya's husband and she trained together, juggling family life and the success of Run4Life. After their amicable split, Olesya took over the tutelage of her students, often starting her day at 5 a.m. and wrapping up at 10 p.m. To ease the load, she gradually introduced her son into the business, knowing he'd be her successor one day.
Scaling Up: A Vision for the Future:Olesya's not just planning to expand her school; she's aiming for the stars. She's establishing a sports training center (STC) in her hometown of Yekaterinburg, enlisting a team of coaches to manage day-to-day operations. The STC will also focus on grooming the next generation of coaches, offering courses for psychologists and other specialists.
Now Olesya's looking at new horizons, ready to share her wisdom with a wider audience. She's determined to make the impossible possible, one running shoe at a time.
According to search results, Olesya Krasnomovets worked as a track and field athlete for 15 years, representing Russia in various competitions. wining multiple championships and medals, including the World Championship and the Olympic Games. However, there's no specific information about why she left professional athletics or further details about her entrepreneurial journey beyond founding Run4Life.
- I'm not sure if my path would've led me to the world of business if not for the unsettling experience with the Ministry of Sports.
- My belief in the importance of holistic health in athletics didn't align with many in the industry, making my entrepreneurial journey in the realm of sports education and self-development a bit of a silly risk.
- In order to grow financially and reach more people, I offered my expertise in education-and-self-development, focusing on personal-growth and sports training.
- My dependence on the success of Run4Life led me to reconsider my business model and approach, pivoting towards a more sustainable and scalable method of entrepreneurship.
- My son's involvement in the business is not out of dependence, but a testament to my belief in the importance of effectively passing on my knowledge and passion for entrepreneurship to the next generation.
- To further enhance my personal brand and reach a wider audience, I aim to venture into the world of finance and politics, using my platform to positively influence business practices and policymaking related to sports and education.
