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Read Insight's exclusive Personal Insights with Giaan Rooney
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Giaan Rooney burst onto the international swimming circuit at the tender age of 15, where she won Gold at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in the 100m backstroke – despite having a stomach bug the night before. She describes singing Australia’s national anthem after winning the Women’s 4 x 100m Medley Relay at the 2004 Athens Olympics alongside Leisel Jones, Petria Thomas and Jodie Henry as a career highlight, however, interestingly enough, has not done laps in a pool since her retirement. Nowadays, she divides her time between advertising campaigns for companies like Jockey and Palmer’s, being a television presenter for Channel Nine, walking with her dog Lester, and spending time with family and friends. Read on to find out more about our gorgeous cover girl!
Your television career has well and truly taken off. What inspired you down this path?
Strangely enough, I had wanted to be a journalist before my swimming career took off. I have always loved reading and writing, but it was not until I was sponsored by Channel Nine for a few years that I really thought about television. Luckily, they offered me a job when I retired from swimming four years ago.
Was the transition difficult for you?
It was hard in some ways. It was difficult to experience that feeling of starting from scratch with so much to learn and to also readjust my way of achieving goals. However, it was so easy to forget the early mornings, the seven hours of exercise a day, the pain and the exhaustion! There were a lot of positives!
As well as your career as a presenter, you have taken part in advertising campaigns for companies like Jockey Underwear and Palmer’s. Did you ever feel insecure or nervous at the shoots?
Definitely! Jockey was a real challenge for me. It was a massive step outside my comfort zone because even though my previous job required me to wear togs everyday, the focus was on what your body could do for you, not what it looked like. I hope that I represent a very real female shape that is far from perfect but is healthy. The Palmer’s shoot was so exciting. I have had to film underwater in the past, however, this was the first time doing it in a gorgeous gown.
You were swimming competitively from a young age… how did you motivate yourself to get up and train as often and as early as you did?
The allure of racing was always my motivation. I hated training most of the time, but loved the thrill of competition. The bigger the crowd, the more pressure there was, and the better I swam. I describe it as the most natural high on earth.
Did you ever think about giving up swimming when you were at school?
Not really. There were times when I wished I was not so exhausted or could keep my eyes open at parties, but I never considered any of it a sacrifice. In my mind I had something bigger that needed my energy, and when you discover your talent at a young age, you want to explore it.
What was the best experience during your swimming career?
I was fortunate to have a few wonderful moments, but my favourite would have to be singing the national anthem on the gold medal dais with Leisel Jones, Jodie Henry and Petria Thomas after winning the 4 x 100m medley relay at the Athens 2004 Olympics - a dream come true!
What is the most important thing you have taken from your time as a swimmer?
There were so many life lessons! Not only did I learn at a young age the power of positive thinking, but also the merits of hard work and dealing with pressure. I learnt a lot about my own strengths and weaknesses, which is very important!
Now that you have retired, do you visit the pool very often, or have you turned to other sports and exercise to keep fit?
I never swim! I have not done laps in a pool since I retired and doubt I ever will again! I definitely did not realise how hard it is to fit exercise into your life when it is not your job, so now I walk my dog and try to do a yoga class twice a week.
How has your daily routine changed since your career in television began?
There is nothing similar between my life as a swimmer and my life in the media! Before, I knew where I was going to be every day and my routine hardly ever varied, whereas now I barely know a few days in advance and that is always subject to change! Monotony was the old life, flexibility is the new one!
How has your upbringing influenced your direction in life?
I have two wonderful parents who always made sure that every possibility was open to me. They were the perfect mix of supportive but not pushy; it had to be my alarm that went off in the morning! When you are constantly told anything is possible, you start to believe it.
What do you think has made you successful?
I think there are a thousand pieces that need to fall into place for a person to be deemed ‘successful’ in life. I think a wonderfully supportive family, great business support group, the desire to succeed, the ability to work hard and the knowledge to find a workable work/life balance are all important factors, tied up with a bow called luck!
How do you push past any moments of doubt?
I think we all have moments of uncertainty, but if we did not, we would not be living realistically. To keep the bigger picture in mind and to trust your gut feelings can help ease self doubt.
How do you balance your career and personal life?
In terms of busyness, my life is up and down - sometimes I barely have an hour to myself for weeks, other times I have four-day weekends. I try to always keep an up-to-date diary and factor in personal time as if they were business meetings.
With the stress of your public life, what keeps you grounded?
I stuff up on a daily basis so there is no way of getting a big head! Being in the media, you need to have a thick skin and be able to laugh at yourself. I am constantly learning and I do not think I will ever stop!
Have you had a ‘spiritual awakening’ in your life? If so, how did it change you?
Not in the true sense, but I had a definite ‘lightbulb’ moment when it came to my retirement from swimming. I finally realised I was proud of myself and achievements and that another medal or win was not going to change that.
What issues do you feel are the most pressing in the world today?
Where do I start? Poverty, climate change, hunger, lack of clean water and sanitation, child prostitution, environmental disasters, war, the list goes on. To simply recognise your own good fortune and contribute to the greater good when you can is a small step we can all do.
What do you see happening in the world in the next ten years and what will your contribution be?
I hopefully see the world changing or attempting to change all of the above. I hope to be able to work towards making life for all the earth’s inhabitants better.
What book would you recommend to people?
Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived by Ralph Helfer.
Name two people who have inspired you.
There are too many to list, but especially my Mum and my Dad.
Sum up your philosophy on life.
‘Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice’.
To watch the full interview and what Julianna saw for Giaan’s future, visit: www.julianna.com.au |
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