Mar 19, 2024
Someone forgot to teach Carolyn Rivera how to doubt herself...
She was born to believe!
Raised in Queens by a single Mom, Carolyn never bought into the story that girls couldn't compete with boys, which is why she decided to tryout for the boys gymnastics team at Forest Hills High School when she was 15.
'This is the boys gym,' someone barked when she arrived.
'I know...I'm here to tryout for the boys team,' Carolyn quipped back.
Shortly after that she found herself in the principals office...
'Why should I let you join the boys team?,' he asked
'Because I am better than some of the guys trying out'
Guess what???
She made it! (The first girl to do so! Times were different then)
Turns out that gender wasn't an obstacle...
After High School Carolyn went on to build a successful career as a Learning & Development professional at companies like Citibank and MetLife, while raising three children.
Years later, while in her 50's, Carolyn was selected to compete against a number of 20 and 30-something competitors on the reality show, Survivor...
She finished second!
Turns out that age wasn't an obstalce...
After 'Survivor,' Carolyn started her own HR Consulting firm, did a Ted Talk and wrote a book
And just a few years later, she lost her husband of 43 years unexpectedly
Was that an obtacle?
'It was a crazy time - a shock. My whole life changed,' Carolyn reflected
What is she up to now?
Listen today!