Why Patrick Lemieux Quit His Career To Support Wife Gwen Jorgensen

Former pro cyclist Patrick Lemieux gave up his own career ambitions to focus on his wife, Gwen Jorgensen—the reigning two-time world champion in the ITU World Triathlon Series. After Jorgensen’s unprecedented 2015 season, the 30-year-old phenom is the favorite to take home gold at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. Here, Lemieux writes on Womenshealthmag.com about his decision to stop riding full-time to support Jorgensen’s Olympic dream.

Most people have no concept of what I do for a living. When they ask me, I tell them I’m a stay-at-home husband for my wife. It’s the best way to describe what I actually do. I understand why this is a hard concept to grasp, especially since both people in a relationship typically work these days. But I haven’t collected a paycheck in three years. What makes the situation more confusing is that my wife is an athlete. People have no idea if we’re collectively living off of $14,000 a year, or raking in what LeBron James makes. We’ve had to educate people about what it means to be an Olympian, and what it takes to be the best in the world. Gwen feels that she needs a house-husband. That has provided a huge gateway to success for her. It’s been a turning point in her career.

Read more: Womenshealthmag.com

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