Shout out from our everyday Olympian himself!

Our everyday Olympian was interviewed recently. Check it out here.

See... I told you he didn't mind doing the laundry!

But don't you have a suit contract?

When people ask, "how the heck does Mark make money?" people usually follow up by asking, "sponsorships?"

Yes. Kind of. I've already discussed stipend and clinics; sponsorships make up the rest of the professional swimming trifecta.

When you think swimming sponsorships, who do you think of? Speedo? TYR? Nike? You're right. These companies and other suit companies like blueseventy, FINIS and Arena also sponsor athletes. Mark, however, has not been under a suit contract since 2008.

In 2004 Mark signed with TYR right before the Olympic Trials. When his TYR contract ended Mark decided to go with Speedo through 2008. These were great. Great companies. Great contracts. And, at times, great money.

When Mark's Speedo contract ended in 2008 he floated contractless. 2009 was the year of the high-tech suits and suit contracts weren't really happening. Companies weren't particularly interested and when there was interest, athletes were afraid to sign and risk missing out on the next fastest suit. It was a mess.

In 2009 when news dropped that the suits were to be banned in 2010 we started looking, again, for a suit sponsor. However, then (and now) the big question on everyone's mind was, "Well, what is he going to do without the suit."

Ugh.

So, the Gangloff family (okay, Mark is actually the one wearing and racing in the suit, but in this little world called professional swimming we get to know the companies, the dealers, the designers-they become our friends and our support) is without a suit contract. Sad.

Mark spoke with his agent yesterday. When I asked how the conversation unfolded (remember, it is all I can do to just ask and not nag), Mark responded, "I just have to swim fast at nationals. Period."

Double ugh.

It's okay. We'll be fine. We've done okay without a suit contract for 18 months. And, I have no doubt that mark will "just swim fast."

What? Did you think it was easy to get sponsored?

In the mean time I have been brainstorming (like any swim wife would) about ways that I can help our average, everyday, Olympian get a little support behind him. I have decided, with the help/push/nudge of one of my mentor swim wives (the wife of a 2x Austrailian swimmer... okay, fine, you guessed it-Brett Hawke's wife. Brett Hawke is Mark's coach, therefore, my coach-in-law which means that Brett's wife and I are practically family) that I will be pursuing local sponsorship opportunities for Mark this fall.

Now, I know what you're thinking. It will be a big undertaking. But, it's got to be done, right? I'm thinking printed bios, brochures, meetings, the whole nine. Any suggestions? I'll keep you posted on my plan of attack.

Rolling in royalties

We are rolling in royalty checks-residuals-from Mark's one-time debut on the silver screen. Mark was in the 2006 movie, The Guardian which starred Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher. I know, I know... I tell you all the time that Mark is a quiet, shy, and reserved personality and now I'm telling you that he auditioned for, got a part and was in a movie. He is quiet and shy, I swear, and auditioning and appearing in a movie is completely out of character.

In the summer of 2006 some big Hollywood casting agency posted audition informtion and sent letters to various members of USA Swimming, USA Diving and USA Water Polo about open auditions for a big Hollywood flick-they were looking for natural swimmers. At the time I was still diving and received this correspondence, but during auditions I was competing in a meet abroad and could not attend-something like this is totally in my character. While in Turkey I call Mark (I can't even imagine how much money we have spent on overseas calls over the last 9 years) and he tells me that he is thinking about auditioning.

WHAT?!

After the audition and call back, Mark was rewarded with the part of Private Colby (don't worry if you don't remember, this name was never mentioned in the movie, nor did Mark's one line--"I quit," make it in either). Mark spent roughly 8 weeks (broken up) over the course of the winter of 2005-2006 in Shreveport, LA filming.

He called me one day after work and when I asked him what he had done that day he replied, "they had us pretend to be cold in a pool."

Honey, I think the professionals call it 'acting' not 'pretending.'

Anyway, the movie came out (we didn't attend a single red carpet event) in 2006. Really, the only change in our life following Mark's big screen debut has been a random residual check every so often. Typically we see checks for $17, $23, $39 or some other seemingly random amount. I think the biggest check was just over $100. This must have been the season that it was a part of the On Demand package in hotels.

Long story short... Mark received a check in the mail last week from the Screen Actors Guild. I dare you to guess how much my husband (the international film star) received for his daring, personal and down right brilliant portrayal of a young Coast Guard trainee.

$0.01

Yes, you read correctly. Mark earned one cent this pay period.

This is an example of a not-so-glamorous, though exteremly amusing, moment in the life of an average, everyday, Olympian.

Haven't seen The Guardian yet? Here is the trailer.

Show me the money!

Jerry Maguire showed his client the money with a multi-million dollar contract, but sports agents in the swimming world have a more daunting task of finding work and sponsorship for relatively low-profile athletes (swimmers). Swimming, though one of the most popular sports every four years during Olympic fever, has yet to really break into prime time and certainly, with the exception of one Mr. Michael Phelps and maybe a few others, has not broken into mainstream sponsorship. I think that this will change given a little bit of time and a little bit of love from people like yourselves-swim fans and supporters of Olympic wives.

Mark does have an agent, like we would recommend for anyone trying to make it (not necessarily trying to make it "big" but those merely trying to make it to the next season-I'm assuming that if you want to make it "big" that you would also need an agent). Mark's agent, David Arluck, helps Mark to establish working relationships with organizations such as the USA Swimming Foundation, the USOC and other companies so that Mark can get work such as speaking engagements, autograph sessions and swim clinics. Like you probably assume, Arluck Promotions arranges work for Mark and then gets a "cut" of the payment. Is it worth it? Absolutely. There was a time, before Mark had an agent, that he relied solely on the USA Swimming/USOC stipend (this was a stressful time and I am so thankful that I was merely the girlfriend at the time and did not have to experience, directly, this stress-I was only an outsider at the time and the nagging was minimal). Now, Mark's agent ensures that Mark has steady work throughout the year-thank goodness because we have yet to get a sponsorship for daycare and diapers (though if the makers of Pampers, Luvs or any other diaper brand is out there and would like to become a sponsor, please drop us a line. I am not above slapping a logo on the rear end of our sweet baby girl).

David also helps to protect Mark's rights (to his name, likeness, image, etc.) as a professional athlete.

The big question that I'm sure all of you are wondering is if I meddle in Mark's business with his agent. The answer, maybe an obvious one, is yes. Duh. I am a nervous swim wife. Again, it is my job to nag, meddle and instigate. I involve myself when Mark asks me to and when I think it is necessary. Do I include myself in every conversation between Mark and his agent? No... I swear.

Expert clinician by day

To continue with the mini-series, How the heck does Mark make money?, I will discuss swim clinics. No, a swim clinic is not someplace you go when you determine that you've gotten athletes foot from standing in the shower at the pool, a swim clinic is a mini swim camp. These mini-swim camps, clinics, are hosted across the country (even the world) and typically headline an elite swimmer or two (this is where Mark comes in).

Mark started coaching at swim clinics about six years ago and now typically does roughly 10-ish swim clinics a year (sometimes as many as 15!). Mark has traveled everywhere from Utah, to New York and everywhere in between.

Swim clincs are typically 2-4 hours in length and can have anywhere from 40-150 swimmers (usually kids age 6-19, but sometimes Mark will host a Masters clinic). Swim clinics start with the elite swimmer speaking to the young athletes about their experiences (this usually includes funny and inspirational anecdotal stories from the Olympics). Next the elite athletes get in the water with the athletes to demonstrate technique and run through some swimming drills. At some clinics the athletes even speak with parents and coaches about how to best support young swimmers, how to watch and think about competition and the importance of a championship lifestyle.

Most swim clinics are scheduled for a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Sometimes Mark is traveling all weekend and other times Mark flies out in the morning and back home that same evening. A couple of weeks ago Mark flew to one clinic on Friday morning, back home on Friday evening, was home all day Saturday and then flew out, again, Sunday morning to a different location and flew back on Sunday evening. Phew. It is exhausting and certianly runs the risk of interrupting training, but this is part of Mark's job and one of the only parts of Mark's job that does not rely on a particular performance (though good performance certainly makes him more marketable). Last fall (2009) Mark traveled almost every weekend (for swim clinics, speaking engagements and other work) from Sept. 1 to Nov. 15. Sometimes Mark's travel schedule is almost unbearable, but we remind ourselves that by working so much he is able to continue his dream job: swimming.

What do I do while Mark travels? I carry on with regular life. I work, study, take care of the house (though I leave the laundry for Mark-I hate doing laundry!). Some of my friends cannot understand how we live this way. I don't know the difference, I guess.

Mark loves swim clinics. He always tells the story of the first swim clinic he attended with Olympic breaststroker Mike Barrowmen-Mark was twelve. Mark claims that this is the first moment that he decided that he, too, was going to become an Olympian. So, you can see the sentimental feelings associated with talking, coaching and swimming with hundreds of children across the country-I think Mark takes pride in jumpstarting others' goals. Mark works with Mutual of Omaha Break Out Swim Clinics and the Swim Champions Fitter and Faster Tour and is so thankful that companies like these are in place to support elite swimmers like himself.

I had the opportunity (this is the world we'll use now, even though at the time I was stressed, busy and overwhelmed with work) to work at a few of Mark's clinics last year. My favorite part of the clinic is at the end when Mark races the young swimmers in attendence. He gives them a head start and then dives in to win-though my favorite moments are the races where Mark provides too much of a head start and gets touched out by a lucky twelve-year-old. You should see the pride in these swimmers' faces-they are king or queen of their team for the rest of the afternoon and everyone yells things like "Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, you got schooled."

One of Mark's best lessons after so many years of coaching at swim clinics is how to travel with two gold medals in your carry-on luggage. Josh Davis, one of Mark's fellow Olympians and clinician extraordinaire, taught Mark that if you put your gold medals in a sock that they will be protected from dings and clashes in your suitcase. It is these things that make up our unique point of view.

We often get asked, "how do you travel with your medals?" It is still funny to me when people ask if Mark wears them through the airport. Like a necklace? Huh? I think if people stopped and really thought about how they might travel with a couple of Olympic gold medals before they asked Mark if he wears them that they might come up with a different question. I'm not judging... I'm just saying.

Stipend-swim fast, get paid

USA Swimming, along with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), helps to fund elite swimmers' training and living expenses. This stipend is provided for those swimmers that swim to the the top two places in the country at one selected swim meet per year (typically a big qualifying meet like the Olympic trials and World Championship trials). This is a great deal... when you are in the top two, that is.

Mark, since 2004, has been in the top two consistently (with the exception of one year), meaning that he has received this stipend.

"Just how much is this stipend?" you ask. Mark reminds me that at one time it was enough (barely-in my spoiled opinion) for him to survive off of when he was a young early-twenty-something with no wife, no baby, no dog and when he was perfectly happy eating spaghetti for every meal. Is it enough to live off of now? No. But it is a good start and we are grateful for it.

There was one year, however, that Mark did not swim to a top two finish at Nationals. In 2006, about three weeks after he proposed to me, Mark swam at Nationals. The entire summer had been a little bit of a struggle. He would come home from practice and be frustrated with his performance, with his workouts, with his training in general. I remember he would say things like, "as soon as I make it through this summer, I am going to make a change." This, as we would come to learn, was the kiss of death, a red flag, a big fat WARNING-something was off.

I remember getting a call from Mark in the evening after he was slated to swim in the finals of the 100 meter breaststroke (his specialty and the event in which he had placed fourth individually at the Olympic games just two years earlier) at nationals. I answered the phone, "Hey... how'd you do?" When it was silent, I knew that his answer was not going to be the answer that I had come to get used to. "Fourth." he said. Oh my God. My heart broke for him. I remember feeling guilty that he had just given me a diamond ring and now he was going to struggle for the rest of the year without stipend (and at this time he had not yet begun his busy work schedule--I will fill you in on what this means soon... I promise). Talk about the guilt of all guilt.

What is worse than getting fourth place when only the top two receive funding? Swimming a time that still held one of the top two times in the country in the prelims and then getting fourth. What does this mean? Mark had the second fastest time in the country in 2006, but because he swam that time in the prelims at nationals, rather than in the finals, another swimmer (who ultimately swam slower than Mark) was considered to be one of the top two swimmers in the country and was going to receive funding--Mark would receive no funding. Are we bitter? Is this unfair? Absolutely not. It is fair. This is athletics. You have to perform when it is time to perform. Unfortunately sometimes people get third... or fourth. Sometimes you get touched out. But, when it is your livelihood, when it is what supports your family, it hurts a little. So, what can you do about it?

Swim faster.

Again, can you see why I bite my finger nails?

At the beginning of each summer (right about now) I start getting a little anxious. I have absolute confidence in Mark, in Mark's hard work, in Mark's talents and his coaches... but, I can't help but be a little shaky when it come to stipend-talk. Honestly, it makes my stomach churn (I could blow chunks at any moment if I think about it too long).

What is my role in this aspect of Mark's career? My role is to sit in the stands, check results, cheer, travel, pace, and bite my finger nails. All joking aside, my job is to be confident in Mark, have faith in Mark and be supportive of Mark... all else will fall into place (hopefully the top two).

How the heck does Mark make money?

This is probably the second most asked question (behind, "Do you know Michael Phelps?"). It is funny, some people assume that we are rich and famous. Though I wish we were more of both, we are far from either. Others think that we are just livin' off love and ramen noodles. Nope, this isn't the case either. Though our personal finances are a bit on the, well, personal side, Mark said, "yep, tell them anything they want to know about it," last night. So, over the next few weeks I will spill it... all (assuming this is of interest). If it is not interesting, please, stop me now.

At the end of the day, Mark is a professional swimmer. There are other professional swimmers out there as well as other professional athletes in sports other than football, basketball and baseball who lead "normal" lives, support their families and get paid based on their performance. We, the Gangloffs, think it is important for others outside of the world of professional athletics to understand that our lives are maybe a bit unique, sometimes glamorous, other times the farthest thing from glamorous, and usually interesting, but that just like everyone else Mark has a job and works hard to support himself and his family. Unlike most other people, however, a good portion of Mark's annual income is determined in less than one minute once a year. Can you now understand why I bite my nails?

This is how most conversations unwind shortly after I meet someone new.

"So, what does your husband do?"

"He is a professional athlete."

"Wow, professional athlete. What does he play?"

"He doesn't play... he swims."

"Huh? He just, uh, swims?"

No. He doesn't just swim. Mark works extremely hard both in and out of the water. His work includes training, racing, traveling, speaking, coaching, hosting clinics and other "odd" swimming jobs around the country. I will touch on each of these jobs throughout this blog.

First and foremost it is important to understand that you do not have to be of amateur status to compete in the Olympic games. Remember the Dream Team? Not a single one of these players were of amateur status. The Olympics has changed and many Olympic competitors are professionals. What does professional mean? To be professional means that you can and have accepted money from such deals as sponsorship and endorsement. So, yes, Mark is a professional swimmer.

Game plan
With each new blog post I will discuss each of Mark's jobs (swimming, racing, coaching, speaking, clinics), what they entail and how the heck Mark gets paid. Honestly, I am a little nervous (big shocker) to share such information, but like Mark said, not many people understand this crazy life of ours and, now that I have committed to this blog, I feel as though it is my duty to share all of its ins and outs. Again, if this is not interesting... PLEASE, stop me now. If this is interesting and worth my time and writing efforts, I wouldn't mind a little bit of encouragement. Hint, hint... tell me that this is interesting.