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Balancing Dreams

Olympic swimmer Matheo Mateos talks about his sport, academics and future plans

Riti Dave

01-17-2025

Headshot of Matheo Mateos
“It was years of sacrifice, commitment and discipline that finally ended up working out.”

For Matheo Mateos, the words sacrifice, commitment and discipline encapsulate the dedication that led him to represent his country in the 200-meter individual medley at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Born in Paraguay, Mateos’ journey has taken him from local pools to the global stage, and now, to Purdue University, where he is pursuing an MBA.

Balancing the grueling demands of athletics and academics, Mateos’ story is one of focus, resilience and the pursuit of growth. From representing his country at the Olympics to preparing for a career in sports management, he is redefining what it means to chase big dreams—proving that passion and purpose can go hand in hand.

From Paraguay to Purdue: An athlete’s academic journey

Mateos’ move from Paraguay to the United States was motivated by a desire to pursue both academics and athletics at a high level. “The United States has a really good system where you can keep doing your sport while also pursuing an academic degree,” he explains.

As a first-generation college student, he takes immense pride in the path he’s forging. After completing his undergraduate degree in business administration in the U.S., he decided to take his education further wanting to prepare for a career in sports management. Choosing Purdue University for his MBA allowed him to continue swimming while building a foundation for his future.

“Purdue stood out for its strong reputation and the opportunities it provides to student-athletes. It has a great MBA program and a great swim team. I wanted to take my education to the next level while staying committed to my sport,” he says.

Looking Back: The journey to the Olympics

Swimming first became part of Mateos’ life as a six-year-old during carefree summers in Paraguay. What began as a recreational activity soon became a passion, fueled by years of practice, competition and unwavering support from his family, friends and coaches.

Reflecting on his athletic journey, he says, “Swimming started as fun, but as I grew, so did my love for the sport. Every challenge—whether injuries or tough losses—only strengthened my desire to improve.”

The pinnacle of his career came at the Paris 2024 Olympics, his first time competing at that level. “The energy, the atmosphere, the crowd—it was surreal,” he says.

“Being surrounded by the best athletes in the world, living in the same place—it exceeded my expectations. It was a magical moment that inspired me to keep pushing forward,” he says.

Behind the scenes: Training and time management

Years of disciplined training prepared Mateos for his Olympic milestone. His routine was intense, demanding up to 24 hours of swimming practice weekly. “You plan everything—the diet, the practices and recovery sessions,” he says.

Mateos’ daily schedule was meticulously structured. “I started my day at 7:00 a.m. with morning practice, then ate, rested and headed back to the pool for another session,” he says.

His evenings were equally packed: “We had a recovery session, sometimes meeting with a psychologist as well. After that, we called it a day. We repeated this pretty much daily.”

Recovery plays an equally vital role in his performance. “Getting enough sleep, massages and mental health support is important,” Mateos says. Preparing for the Olympics required every aspect of his routine—physical, mental and emotional—to align perfectly.

He continues to balance this demanding routine with other commitments, especially his MBA studies, using careful planning and discipline. “Time management has been key,” he says. “It’s tough sometimes, but setting clear priorities and planning ahead makes everything possible.”

Matheo Mathos swimming in competition

Looking ahead: Swimming to sports management

With his MBA, Mateos is preparing for his long-term career goal of sports management, where he hopes to bring his experience as an athlete to the managerial and administrative side of the industry. “I’m interested in running events, managing teams or even starting my own business,” he says.

His MBA coursework, particularly in leadership and HR, has helped him understand how to manage diverse teams and create collaborative environments. These skills will help him with career advancement.

“Swimming might be an individual sport, but there’s a whole team behind you including coaches, nutritionists and psychologists. My MBA is teaching me how to lead and resolve conflicts while inspiring collaboration,” he says.

Mateos also recognizes the growing significance of athletes as brands in the evolving sports industry. “Athletes are not just competitors at this time; they are also powerful brands. They can share a message and inspire through their actions,” he explains. He sees massive opportunities for athletes to connect with audiences through content creation and partnerships, particularly on social media.

When it comes to his own social media presence, Mateos focuses on sharing authentic moments from his journey. “I try to keep it related to what I’m doing in terms of swimming—sharing content about my training, competitions and representing Purdue. My goal is to showcase my journey and inspire others,” he says.

Inspiring the next generation

Matheo Mathos with teammates
Matheo Mateos with teammates

Mateos’ advice to aspiring athletes reflects the lessons he has learned throughout his journey. “You should start early in building skills outside your sport. Networking is truly valuable,” he says.

“As an athlete, you have the advantage of discipline, sacrifice and commitment. Companies recognize and value it,” he explains. “It’s important to take advantage of those traits and go outside your sport to build meaningful relationships.”

Reflecting on his own experiences, he finds the most rewarding part of his journey has been the path itself. “It’s not about the final goal—going to the Olympics or earning a degree—it’s about enjoying every single step along the way,” he shares.

“Getting my degree from an outstanding university while continuing to do what I love has been incredible,” he adds. Looking ahead, Mateos is eager to embrace new challenges and milestones.

If you would like to receive more information about pursuing a business master’s at the Mitch Daniels School of Business, please fill out the form and a program specialist will be in touch!

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