In this episode of Office Hours, Erik sits down with Brendan Hansen, former US Men's Olympic Swim Team Captain and six-time Olympic medalist. Brendan shares his incredible journey of resilience, from narrowly missing the 2000 Olympic team to becoming a world record holder and a gold medalist.

Brendan dives into the pivotal moments that shaped his career, starting with the heartbreak of finishing third twice at the 2000 Olympic trials as a senior in high school. He discusses the intense preparation and sacrifices he made, guided by his experienced coach, to pursue his Olympic dream.

Erik and Brendan explore the highs and lows of his swimming career, including the challenges of competing at the 2004 Olympics and the controversial silver medal race against Kosuke Kitajima. Brendan's perspective on accountability, leadership by example, and maintaining a warrior mentality shines through as he recounts his journey from setback to success.

Listeners will be inspired by Brendan's unwavering determination and his philosophy that life happens for you, not to you. He also shares the importance of finding balance and redefining success after the intense focus on his swimming career.

Join Erik and Brendan for an insightful conversation about perseverance and the power of believing in oneself. Whether you're a sports enthusiast or looking for motivation in your own life, this episode offers valuable lessons from one of America's greatest swimmers.

Tune in to hear Brendan Hansen's remarkable story of overcoming adversity and achieving greatness in and out of the pool.

Join Erik Hansell in an engaging conversation with Wharton Professor Matthew Bidwell, the Xingmei Zhang and Yongge Dai Professor in Wharton’s Management Department and Faculty Director of the Wharton People Analytics Initiative. Professor Bidwell shares his insights on the evolving nature of careers, the impact of job transitions, and the dynamics of layoffs. They discuss the concept of careers, career planning, complacency in the workforce, remote work, the influence of AI on jobs, and navigating career changes after parental leave. Tune in for an enlightening discussion that challenges common narratives about careers and provides valuable advice for career development.