Carlo Valdes

Olympian

USA Bobsled Team

Tustin, CA USA

“If you’re not putting in the time and effort to get better each day, each year, you are just wasting your time and doing everyone a disservice by not becoming the best you can be...Put in the hard work day in and day out, and everything will take care of itself.”

Videos

By Roadtrip Nation

Carlo Valdes

Milestones

My road in life has been direct.

Born and raised in Newport Beach, California.

Has been passionate about sports ever since childhood—for most of his life, he was focused on playing football and doing track.

Received football scholarships to Arizona State University and Washington State University, but turned them down due to unfavorable coaching changes.

Attended UCLA and received a degree in history.

While at UCLA, he played football his first year, then switched over to track, where he started doing the decathlon and later the javelin throw.

After graduation, he was introduced to the sport of bobsled by a track teammate and was encouraged to try out for the U.S. men's bobsled team by his former coach, Mike Maynard.

Made the team and has gone on to win multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals in the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation World Cup.

Competed in the 2018 Winter Olympic Games held in PyeongChang, South Korea.

Keep following my journey

Education

High School

Bachelor
History, General
University of California-Los Angeles

Career

Olympian

I am an American bobsledder who competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

Sports

Action Sports

Being Physically Active

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for everyone

Bobsledding, just like any other sport, is highly dependent on experience. You have to put in the time. Find a network of people to support you in your journey and lean on the experience of your more senior teammates.

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Myself:

"What am I going to do? Track is almost over, I keep getting hurt throwing javelin...what's next?"

I had no idea what I wanted to do when I was in college. My whole life had revolved around sports and with college coming to an end there was definitely an element of uncertainty. I also had friends and family around me trying to tell me what to do. At the end of the day, I realized that my athletic career didn't have to end, that there may be something more I could do. I took the opportunities given to me and followed that path.

Challenges I Overcame

Learning Issues

Physical Issues

Relocation

Interviewed By

UCLA Roadtrip

University of California, Los Angeles students and alumni

Carlo Valdes

Olympian

Videos

Carlo Valdes

Milestones

Education

Career

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

My work combines:

Sports

Action Sports

Being Physically Active

Advice for Getting Started

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Myself:

Challenges I Overcame

Interviewed By

UCLA Roadtrip

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