Unconventional Paths: Marcin Goszczynski, BSc’09
Magazine | Fall/Winter 2019 | Marcin Goszczynski, BSc’09
by Deb Cummings
In the micro-universe occupied by the world’s elite athletes, this former national team speedskater is a legend. Not for his moves on the ice — but, rather, for his hands. The strength and conditioning coach and massage therapist has worked with some of the top athletes in the NHL, NFL and WTA with A-listers such as Maria Sharapova, Sidney Crosby and alumna Hayley Wickenheiser. Best-in-class? We think so.
An all-star athlete in your own right, why did you leave the track? Unfortunately, sport doesn’t last forever. As tough as it was, I thought it was time to move on and help in new ways while still staying connected to sports. It was a busy time for two years — I was working as a strength and conditioning coach by day and finishing up the two-year, 2,200-hour massage therapy program at Mount Royal in the evenings.
What were the top three lessons you learned at UCalgary? I’d say: (1) The importance of objectively quantifying and tracking your work; (2) Having a strong scientific foundation allows for more creativity, which, in turn, helps generate potential solutions for complex problems; (3) Finding inspiration in subjects/departments in seemingly unrelated fields of interest.
What are the common denominators that many of your clients share? In no particular order: driven, hard-working, resilient, focused.
What have been two of your top career highlights? To me, “highlights” are results, which are achieved by the athletes I work with. My line of work is behind-the-scenes, so to speak. Every person and/or athlete is an individual and presents with various challenges unique to them. Instead of “highlights,” two career experiences I am truly grateful for were the 2014 and 2018 Olympic Winter Games, where I worked with the Canadian speedskating and bobsled teams, respectively.
How often do you travel in a year? In 2018, I was home for less than two months.
Any travel tips? Yes. Stay hydrated, use blue blocking glasses, practice grounding, buy a pair of great earplugs.
What sports do you still play? I enjoy riding my road bike and, I suppose, of all games, I like golf the most. I enjoy watching anyone who is the best in their sport. If that person is Canadian and successful, it’s that much better — Steve Nash, Jeremy Wotherspoon, Donovan Bailey and Mike Weir come to mind.
What’s your workout and how often? Depending on location and facilities, I love to bike (outside, preferably), lift weights, run, hike, yoga, skate, etc. I don’t have a set routine, but I do something every day.
What does a perfect day look like? Start with two espressos with my wife, read for a couple hours, ride my bike for a couple hours while listening to a podcast, spend a couple hours in the anatomy lab, work on a few clients, walk our dog, make dinner for a bunch of friends and family, watch a documentary, sauna, meditate, go to bed.
What are your three favourite books? Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee. A.T. Still: From the Dry Bone to the Living Man by John Lewis.
What movie title or song best describes your life? Meru [a 2015 documentary that chronicles the first ascent of the “Shark’s Fin” route on Meru Peak in the Himalayas].
Do you have a motto you live by? Well done is better than well said.
Magazine | Fall/Winter 2019 | Marcin Goszczynski, BSc’09
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