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It’s easy to view an Olympic champion like Erica Wiebe as superhuman.����

Her accomplishments on the mat are staggering. One of the greatest wrestlers in Canadian history, Wiebe, BKin'12, BA'16, claimed a 2016 Olympic gold medal and helped lead the ����ɫ�� Dinos wrestling program to three consecutive conference titles from 2009 to 2011, including the program's fifth national title in 2009.����

Her journey didn’t stop after university. Before her Olympics triumph in Rio, she took home gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the World University Games, later adding more gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Queensland, Australia, and securing bronze at the 2018 World Wrestling Championships in Budapest.��

Yet, beyond her incredible achievements, Wiebe is as human as anyone else, experiencing the same emotions and struggles that come with facing life’s uncertainties and disappointments. Her journey didn’t just build her physical strength; it forged her mental resilience, shaping a path that now extends far beyond the wrestling mat.��

"I’m reimagining who I am outside of being an athlete," she says. "I truly believe I’ll be more successful outside of sport than I ever was in it."

All in the Game

Wiebe’s ascent to Olympic glory came with its own set of challenges. The pinnacle of her career, winning gold at Rio 2016, was as exhilarating as it was demanding. Yet, it was the Tokyo 2020 Olympics that truly tested her mental mettle. Competing as the defending champion in the midst of a global pandemic (which delayed the games for a year) added layers of complexity. The weight of expectations, coupled with the isolating conditions of COVID-19, created an intense mental and emotional environment.��

"Losing my first match in Tokyo was super-disappointing," Wiebe admits. "Trying to compete, deal with the stress and train during the pandemic was incredibly challenging."

The post-Tokyo period became a turning point. Needing a break from the grind, Wiebe took time to reflect and recharge. But also a firm believer, in the benefit and power of moving She pursued an MBA through Cornell and Queen’s and briefly worked at Neo Financial. However, it didn’t take long for her to realize that her passion lay elsewhere.��

"I worked on the People and Culture team at Neo for a year, but it just wasn’t a fit for me," she says. "I needed to find something I was truly passionate about."

In early 2023, she returned to wrestling to find closure. Training in Paris and competing in Sweden, she won a tournament — an important victory that wasn’t about the medal, but about ending her athletic chapter on her terms.��

"I didn’t want Tokyo to be my last competition," Wiebe explains. “I needed to know: was I done? And I realized after that — I was ready to close that chapter.”

That UCalgary Spark��

Wiebe’s relationship with UCalgary began in 2007 when she moved from Ontario to pursue her education and wrestling ambitions. It was more than just a place to study and train; it became her community, her foundation.����

"I was super-lucky," she recalls. "Living in residence and being part of the wrestling team gave me an instant support system."����

Those formative years were marked by a rigorous schedule — full-time classes, daily wrestling practices, part-time jobs and community-advising roles. It was a crash course in balancing multiple demands, all while honing the mental tools that would serve her throughout her career. While difficult to believe, the future Olympic champion was unable to make the varsity team in her first year at UCalgary. Through this setback, Wiebe discovered the power of mental resilience. Visualization, goal-setting and positive self-talk weren’t just theoretical concepts; they were practical tools she used daily.����

"I was really lucky to have great mentors, coaches, and teammates who taught me the importance of these mental skills," Wiebe says.��

She would go on to make the team and begin a Dinos wrestling 3 year dynasty which saw her individually claiming three USPORTS gold medals and being named the 2011-12 Canada West Outstanding Wrestler.��

Where We Are

Fast-forward to 2023 again and, in a serendipitous twist, Wiebe stumbled upon a job posting for the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) while in Sweden. The role — — aligned perfectly with her passions. By May 2023, she had stepped into this new role, bringing her advocacy for athlete mental health and well-being to the forefront.��

"I get to work with organizations and athletes across the country, building programs that create a safe, welcoming and inclusive sport environment," she says.��

For Wiebe, this job wasn’t just a career move — it marked the beginning of a new purpose. It was a pivotal moment that marked not only the end of her wrestling career, but also the beginning of a new passion. Her focus shifted from her personal achievements to a mission of giving back, and she now sees her role as a way to guide and support athletes.

"I've been mentored by amazing athletes and coaches in Calgary and beyond," Wiebe says. "I really believe in ‘sending the elevator back down.’ Being in the Games environment now as a retired athlete, I can support others as they navigate their own challenges in both performance and personal growth."

In her role, Wiebe is at the forefront of crucial conversations about safe sport, mental health and well-being in sports. The role intersects three pillars of building a sport system in Canada with athletes at the centre of it. ��She’s determined to help create a system where athletes are supported not just physically, but mentally.��

When musing about her own experience in sport and mental health, "Athletes often suppress emotions like fear and uncertainty to perform," she notes. "In the short term, that’s beneficial, but, long-term, it can lead to subconscious fatigue and mental strain."

Her perspective is deeply influenced by her own experience as an athlete and her work with the .��

"When I was a national team athlete at UCalgary, I worked with Game Plan, Canada’s national program that provides resources to support athletes' holistic performance and well-being," Wiebe recalls. "Now, I work directly with the team that provides those programs and services to athletes. There are more resources available than ever before, but I also think it's a more challenging landscape for athletes today."

The pressures facing athletes have only intensified in recent years, with factors like financial stress, public scrutiny and the impact of social media.��

"Athletes are inherently comparative and competitive," Wiebe observes. "Social media adds another layer of complexity, impacting mental health and self-perception."

Through her work with the COC, Wiebe is striving to mitigate these pressures and ensure that athletes have the tools, support and community they need to thrive. Her journey from Olympic champion to advocate underscores a deep commitment to lifting others up, proving that her passion for the sport extends far beyond personal accolades.

“Foster a sense of belonging and instill the belief – in yourself, in the process, in the people around you”.

Embracing the Present

As she looks to the future, Wiebe is focused on personal growth and balance.��

"I’m reimagining who I am outside of being an athlete," she says. "I truly believe I’ll be more successful outside of sport than I ever was in it." Which she acknowledges may be a challenge. Her goals for the coming year are both ambitious and introspective, being present in the moment, and continuing to support the next generation of athletes.

Beyond her role at the COC, Wiebe remains . In 2023, she taught a leadership course at ����ɫ�� Haskayne School of Business and is preparing for a . She has even returned to Calgary for her inauguration into the Dinos Hall of Fame in the Fall of 2024 and she will speak at ����ɫ�� Grow Your Career Conference in early 2025.

“Anyone who’s known me knows that I always have my plate overloaded with things,” says Wiebe, laughing as she describes her approach to her career, a career pushing limits — physically, mentally and emotionally. “I've always been really fortunate to have success when I follow my passions and follow my heart.”

Her journey from UCalgary to Olympic champion, and now to a leading advocate for athlete development and well-being, underscores the importance of supporting athletes holistically. In sharing her experiences, Wiebe is helping to break down the stigma around issues like mental health in sports, inspiring others to prioritize their well-being and embrace the full spectrum of their identities. It’s not just about the gold medals and accolades; it’s about the courage to face challenges head-on, the wisdom to learn from each experience and the passion to uplift others.

When asked what advice she would give on creating the conditions for success, “Foster a sense of belonging and instill the belief – in yourself, in the process, in the people around you”.