Whenever I think of Daniele Molmenti, the idea of resilience and genuine dedication comes to mind. These qualities remind me of the essence of true champions—people who achieve greatness not just through their victories but through the lessons learned along the way and the wisdom they share. This month, as we explore the theme of inspiring teachers, I had the privilege of sitting down with Daniele. He's not celebrated solely for the medals hanging around his neck; he's admired for how he navigates life's hurdles, learns from each experience, and passionately imparts his knowledge to others. As we delve into Daniele's story, we'll discover that true greatness lies not in the accolades, but in the heart, the effort, and the joy found in teaching and learning together. Join me in uncovering what it means to live a life marked by earnest effort, humility, and the profound impact of passing on what we know. 

For those less familiar with Daniele Molmenti's achievements and current endeavors, I've prepared a PDF that outlines his remarkable journey in sports and his pivotal roles today. This brief overview will introduce you to his significant contributions to canoeing and beyond. You can find it HERE.

 Beyond the Rapids: A Conversation with Daniele Molmenti

1. How has the journey to becoming an Olympic Champion influenced your personal life?

Undoubtedly, the sports journey thoroughly shapes an athlete's personal life. Every daily action is guided by the demands of a sporting career. On one hand, every personal choice is directed towards sporting excellence; on the other, the sports culture permeates education towards a healthier, orderly, and defined lifestyle: it is based on concrete values that shape the athlete beyond the sporting moment.

2. Can you share a particularly challenging moment of your Olympic career and how you overcame it?

In 2007, I experienced a motorcycle accident. From being the strongest athlete on the national team, I found myself in a hospital bed with a 90-day stop in the pre-Olympic year. Restarting wasn't easy, and I had to focus on physical and mental aspects I had previously overlooked. After the convalescence period, I started again differently, maybe "new" is the right term, since the awareness of being human with limits and the realization that I had my fate in my own hands made me live life with greater attention to details, bringing the life of an athlete to that of a champion. I overcame this challenge with the courage to trust the medical staff and the inner pride of someone who, like me, never wanted to give up.

3. What role have your mentors and coaches played in your career, and how have you transferred these lessons to your coaching role?

I've had various experiences with different coaches, but only the first and the last have truly had a fundamental impact on both my sports career and my personal growth. Mauro introduced me to canoeing as a child, teaching me about effort, a crucial element in a physically demanding sport like slalom canoeing. Pierpaolo perfected my attention to detail, accompanying me to the peak of my career. Both imparted skills and leadership styles I now apply daily in my coaching.

4. Was there an inspirational figure in your life that has shaped the way you teach and coach today?

I believe I've assimilated teaching approaches from various sources, without attributing them to a single mentor. Teaching is always a form of communication; each person expresses it in a unique and personal way. Undoubtedly, various coaches, even from different sports disciplines, have influenced and enriched my coaching style, contributing to continuous improvement.

5. How do you define success, both in life and in sports?

Success for me is about facing a personal journey with determination and commitment. It's not so much about winning over others, but about finding fulfillment in performing actions believed possible. It's the satisfaction of having overcome challenges that makes success meaningful.

6. How do you define the concept of "teacher" in the context of high-level sport?

The term is fascinating, coming from Latin with the meaning of "to engrave, to imprint signs". In the context of high-level sport, athletes already carry their own character and beliefs. As coaches and teachers, our job is to imprint deep concepts on a personal improvement level, contributing to shaping and perfecting not just their physical abilities but also their inner selves.

7. What qualities do you look for in your team members, and how do you cultivate them?

The athletes I follow belong to different generations, and beyond technical values, I pay attention to motivational aspects that serve as signals for the future. Who stands out today is not necessarily destined to become a champion tomorrow. In this context, the qualities I look for manifest in mental and behavioral aspects: motivation and dedication in training and in daily life are crucial indicators of those who believe in themselves and are willing to sacrifice to pursue a sports dream. What I look for in an athlete is precisely this determination and commitment.

8. What values do you seek to instill in your athletes, and how do you do it?

Those who decide to take the path of an athlete must learn to value effort and accept defeat. It is essential to prioritize the truly important things, leaving aside the superfluous that can distract or detract energy. The values I speak of are not always easy to communicate, but I believe that awareness of the growth journey can help better understand what we commonly define as sacrifice.

9. Is there a particular teaching or philosophy you apply in preparing your team for the Olympics in Paris?

We don't have a defined philosophy, but I prefer to think that we are operating by focusing on individual motivation of athletes and guiding them in the care of the smallest detail. When I speak of "us", I refer to the staff that follows the athlete, composed of different figures, each dedicated to working on every single aspect of the performance.

10. What has been your greatest satisfaction as Technical Director of the national Canoe slalom team?

I have experienced moments of intense emotions, both positive and negative. One of the greatest satisfactions came with an athlete followed by one of my staff's technicians. The result was the culmination of years of teamwork, specifically aimed at that competition. Witnessing the success and seeing that the choices made over the years, regarding people and methods adopted, together with the positions taken and the challenges faced, have borne fruit was an extremely gratifying experience.

11. How do you balance high-level training demands with family and personal life?

As an athlete, my family was there with mom and dad, but I had no responsibilities over them and being away for months for training and competitions was part of my life journey. Now, as Technical Director, with a wife and children, the situation is radically different. The sacrifices are real and hard to manage. I missed my children's first step and first day of school, and I spend about 200 days a year away from home. The only way to balance this is by enhancing the quality of time I spend with my family: I organize outings or try as much as possible to spend time with them so they don't lack the figure of the father.

12. Do you have a message or advice for those aspiring to achieve excellence in both sport and life?

It's a challenge to communicate a message that can be meaningful for everyone, avoiding the risk of falling into prepackaged motivational phrases or easy rhetoric. However, the concept of excellence is something I hold dear. When I visit schools and tell my story, I always wish all the kids to dream big, to choose who they want to become in life, and to commit to being the best version of themselves. It's a difficult and deep message, but the search for one's best version is often the path to achieving lasting personal fulfillment.

13. In addition to your role as Technical Director of the Italian Canoe Kayak Federation, you are also an influential sports manager in various realities on the national territory, a member of the National Council of the C.O.N.I. as a representative of technicians, and advisor for the International Canoe Federation. How do you see the future of Canoe slalom in Italy in light of these multiple responsibilities, and what role do you play in the future development of this sport?

Thanks to my commitment, I've been able to influence changes in some federal managements of the Italian canoe slalom team, and over the course of some years, the results have grown, giving recognition to the method of work and management I introduced. Every four years the technical staff is renewed, and naturally, I hope that the sports results speak for me. I wish to continue being a positive contribution, helping the next generations to improve as people through the sport of canoeing.

14. Looking to the future, what are your goals as technical director, and what legacy do you hope to leave in the world of canoe slalom?

My personal goal is to take on more responsibilities, extending my method of work to the other Olympic disciplines of my federation. It would be a significant personal challenge and, at the same time, a way to evaluate whether my current contribution has laid deep roots in the national system. I dream of being able to change roles one day and see that the foundations I introduced continue to generate sports results and satisfactions even without my direct guidance.

After talking with Daniele Molmenti, it's clear that becoming excellent, in sports or life, is about facing challenges, growing, and realizing important truths. Daniele's story teaches us that our biggest wins often come from tough times, and real success is all about always trying to be better.

I'm truly thankful to Daniele Molmenti for sharing his story of courage and humility. Let his journey encourage us all to face our paths with bravery and the drive to keep rising strong, today and every day.

S.A. Sterling