INTERVIEW: Nigerian Olympian & Fitness Expert, Olumide Olamigoke Talks Upcoming Book, Tokyo 2020, Sports Development, and More…

Meet Olumide Olamigoke 26 year old Nigerian Triple Jump sensation and 2016 National Champion. Video game savant, cereal connoisseur, and Olympian. Born as the youngest of four to Nigerian immigrant parents, Olumide is a living testament of where faith, family, and following your dreams can lead. Despite being the only member of his family born outside of Nigeria’s borders, he is blessed to have maintained a strong connection with his family’s heritage. This includes limitless ambition, and genetics that ensure he will look like a teenager for the majority of his adult life.

He has accomplished many of his biggest goals in life, and he said he’s passionate about helping others do the same.

Check out my exclusive interview with Olumide below:

Hey Olumide! Would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?
I’m Olu Olamigoke Jr., Triple Jump Olympian for Nigeria.

Talk me through an average day in the life of you?
A typical day for me starts around 6am, with breakfast, coaching fitness clients through my business, and completing my own training for the day.

What institution(s) did you attend and what did you study?
I attended Indiana University, and majored in Kinesiology, and minored in Psychology.

How were you discovered and what inspired you to go into Athletics (Triple Jump)?
I initially thought I’d be great in the 400m, but I attempted the triple jump when I was 15 and took to it naturally.

Tell me more about your love for fitness and how you use it to communicate through your everyday life?
When I first began triple jumping, I also began learning about how to develop my body to help me improve. That’s how my affinity for fitness began.

What’s your 5 Dos when it comes to being an Athlete?
1. Dream big.
2. Set your own rules and live by them
3. Train your mind as well as your body
4. Rest is just as important as training; don’t neglect it
5. Align with a purpose bigger than yourself.

What do you do to stay in shape, do you go to the gym?
I train 5-6 days per week, with 2-3 of those days being in the gym. I also prioritize eating well.

You are the Founder & CEO of “The Daily Athlete”. What is that brand all about?
The Daily Athlete is around my philosophy for becoming the best athlete, and human being that I can be, every single day. The intersection of fitness and athletics is the brand’s cornerstone, and it specializes in fitness, sport, and mentality coaching for athletes, and the general population.

How do you balance your personal and professional life?
I find balance by reading, playing video games, writing, and socializing and regularly integrate these activities into my work day.

You are a Rio 2016 Olympian, 2x Nigerian National Triple Jump Champion, Top 5 in Nigerian History, Top 15 in African History, 2014 Commonwealth Games Finalist and 2x NCAA All-American, what will you say motivates/inspires you to stay dedicated to what you do?
As much as I love competing and winning, I stay motivated by seeing all of my accomplishments as being blessings from God, and use my career to inspire others.

You got a job offer from Apple, but decided to take the opportunity to represent Nigeria and not the United States, why and what what went through your mind when you made the decision?
That was less of an active decision, and more of staying true to my dream of reaching the Olympics. I wanted to compete for the USA, but the opportunity to compete for Nigeria came up, and I took it. As for the job, I knew I wouldn’t be an athlete forever. I knew that I could get a job later in life.

How would you describe the Track and Field scene in Nigeria, when it comes to encouraging new talents?
In the time since I started competing for Nigeria, it’s been bleak. But things are starting to change slowly, so that’s good. Regardless, I won’t be stopped.

What do you consider the most common stereotype about the being a Triple Jump athlete?
I never even thought of stereotypes as a triple jumper. But from the outside looking in, I can say we’re some of the toughest athletes on the track considering the physical demands of the event.

What aspect surprised you the most once you started representing Nigeria on the world stage?
I was shocked at how many times I’ve had to pay my own way to international competitions, among other hardships. But I was even more surprised at how much respect the people of our country have shown for my dedication to wearing green & white. That keeps me going.

Looking back to when you started as an Athlete, is there anything you would like to change about the sport?
There’s a lot that could be improved, but I’d say that I’m already changing the narrative in my daily pursuits.

Which brands, clients, athletes, coaches, etc, have you worked with?
I’ve worked with athletes at a major university here in Washington, D.C., coaches from the United Kingdom, United States, Nigeria, and other countries, and clients mainly in the Washington, D.C. area.

What do you consider your biggest professional success so far?
I’d say it was creating a brand that aligns with my pursuits as both an athlete and a businessman.

Who do you want to work with that you haven’t yet?
Barack Obama!

What has been your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge has been creating a system that is fulfilling financially and professionally, but I’ve come a long way in overcoming it.

Tell us two things people don’t know about you?
I love playing video games, and I played the violin for 5 years growing up.

You are very active on social media. Do you think its important to be online and if so why?
I’m active, but I don’t think it’s important to be online all the time. I value my privacy.

You are a native of Nigeria, but currently based in Washington, D.C. How is that working out for you?
I’m the only member of my immediate family born in the U.S. Holding dual citizenship has provided opportunities both in Nigeria and in the United States that I would have never had otherwise, so I’d say it’s working out pretty well.

What will you say are your must visit travel destinations?
In terms of places I’ve already been – Rio de Janeiro, Switzerland, and Calabar, Cross River State. As for places I haven’t visited yet, Ile-Oluji in Ondo State where my father is from, and Tokyo, both in 2020 and beforehand.

Name 5 things we should take seriously about our style choices?
1. Follow your own rules
2. Don’t be afraid to try something new
3. Always have dope sneakers
4. Invest in a high quality pair of denim
5. Holes in that denim are only cool if you wore them in yourself.

How would you describe your style?
My style reflects my current mood, from understated to relaxed, but is always refined.

What style genre appeals to you the most?
I don’t have a specific “genre”, but if I did, it would be somewhere between street fashion, athleisure, and classic formal.

Name your 5 must have accessories/essentials?
1. A good watch
2. A versatile light jacket
3. Raw denim
4. A standout pair of sunglasses
5. Nice sweatpants for lazy days

What are your favourite fashion trends?
Not sure if it’s a trend, but a nice pair of sneakers will never go out of fashion.

What is your favourite dish?
When I’m in Nigeria, REAL Pounded yam (not ola-ola) and egusi stew. Beef suya in Lagos from the suya spot in Glover Court for a close second. In the United States it’s simple: pancakes.

What songs are currently on your music playlist?
Here are 6 from a much longer list: Wo by Olamide, Perplexing Pegasus by Rae Sremmurd, Rara by Tekno, Deep Down Body Thurst by N.E.R.D., The Lung by Hiatus Kaiyote, and Broke by Lecrae.

Apart from Athletics, fitness, what other projects are you currently working on?
Outside of building my brand, I’m also in the process of writing my first book.

Seeing you’re doing your dreams, what advice can you give others to pursue their dreams?
Dream big, have faith that it will manifest, and the persistence to see it through. When fears arise, move toward them rather than away. That’s how you experience growth.

Any specific plans for the future?
I plan with companies in Nigeria to create opportunities for the youth in sports and their careers, as well as land sponsorships for both my brand and athletic career.

Any final words?
Thanks for reaching out to me!

Where can we follow you online and on social media?
Instagram: @oolamigoke
Twitter: @oolamigoke
LinkedIn: Olu Olamigoke Jr.
Website: olumide.com