Jason Lezak: From Olympic Glory To Career Challenges

Less than six months after swimming one of the most electrifying laps in the history of his sport—the greatest 46 seconds of his life, witnessed by billions of people—Jason Lezak is sitting in an anonymous hotel conference room in Phoenix trying to save his career. The four-time Olympic gold medalist is wearing a button-down shirt and black slacks. Across a small table is a smiling, silver-haired gentleman whom Lezak, 32, has just met. The two strangers are being set up. This is a speed date, so to speak. If a connection is made, the older man, a brand-management executive for Mutual of Omaha named John Hildenbiddle, will have a new corporate spokesman. And if the deal is big enough, Lezak, one of many Beijing Olympians who are now effectively unemployed, will be able to get back in the pool.

The men shake hands. "I've been looking forward to this," Hildenbiddle tells him. "Me too," says Lezak. He's nervous. He feels awkward, selling himself like this. But he's out of options. Over the din, Hildenbiddle asks Lezak about "that race," which he says he's watched "50 times" and still gives him chills. Lezak has recounted the story more than 50 times, but he's glad to do it again.

It was late morning in Beijing on Aug. 11. In the waiting area before the start of the 4-by-100 freestyle relay, Lezak called a huddle with his young teammates, Cullen Jones, Garrett Weber-Gale, and Michael Phelps. Lezak told them he had been a part of this relay in 2000 and had come in second. He was a part of this relay in 2004 and got bronze. The message: enough. They nodded and walked out to the pool. Lezak, the veteran, would swim last. For Team USA to win, he figured he’d have to hit the water ahead of France’s Alain Bernard, the world record-holder in the 100-meter freestyle. But when Lezak dove in, he was already behind. Way behind.

Jason Lezak is not just a swimmer; he is a symbol of resilience and determination. His story reflects the highs of Olympic success and the lows of post-career struggles. As he sits in that conference room, the pressure is palpable, and the stakes are high. The world may remember him for his incredible feats in the pool, but at this moment, he is fighting to carve out a new path in the corporate world while navigating the challenges faced by many retired athletes.