That Moment When: Gwen Jorgensen

This article originally appeared in the July/August 2016 issue of SELF.

Gwen Jorgensen was working as a tax accountant in Milwaukee, balancing her office job and crack-of-dawn training sessions with a group of local cyclists. But even with that rigorous schedule, she qualified for the 2012 Olympics. The magnitude of her raw talent was surprising—even to herself. “When the U.S. triathlon team first recruited me, I kind of laughed at them,” the 30-year-old remembers. But once she was in, she was all in. So getting a flat tire at mile 13 in the London Games felt devastating. Jorgensen ended up finishing 38th, but her competitive drive was stronger than ever. “All I could think about was Rio,” she says. After London, she committed her life to the sport, extending her leave of absence indefinitely to train like other top triathletes. Jorgensen now spends nine months a year abroad with a coach who guides her four daily workouts. The investment has paid off: She’s the first American woman to win consecutive triathlon world championships and is the favorite for gold in Rio. “If I cross the finish line first, they’ll play our national anthem,” she says. “That would be incredible.”

Gwen Jorgensen’s Road To Rio:

1st: In 2013, she became the first U.S. woman to win an International Triathlon Union World Triathlon Series race.

2010: Jorgensen was named USA Triathlon Rookie of the Year.

12: Number of ITU World Triathlon Series wins in her historic 2014–15 streak.

To learn more about all Olympic hopefuls, visit teamusa.org. The Olympics begin August 5th on NBC.

For more, pick up the July/August issue of SELF on newsstands, subscribe, or download the digital edition.

Swimsuit, Frank Tell, $450; Jason Campbell Malibu, 310-456-3594. Sneakers, $130; AsicsTiger.com.

Styled by Michaela Dosamantes; Hair, Dana Boyer for Oribe Hair Care; Makeup, Laura Stiassni for Dior Addict.

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