Today we’d like to introduce you to Alayna Gocke.
Alayna, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in Folsom, California close to a lot of my family. I started competitive swimming when I was six years old. By age nine, I started swimming for Sierra Marlins Swim Club. I also competed in cross country and track for both my middle school and high schools. In my junior year of high school, my family moved to San Luis Obispo where I began swimming for Santa Maria Swim Club under Mike Ashmore. Eventually, swimming and my academic skills led me to UC San Diego, where I have been a part of both the NCAA swim team and the Triathlon team. I am studying Sociology with a major in business and I am loving it. This year is my senior year and I cannot wait to see what I will learn about life this year. I could not have made it to where I am today without the love and support that my dad, grandma, and brother have given me.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, but I would not take back any of it because of the things that I’ve learned. Any successful athlete or student has experienced bumps along the road and I am no exception. As someone who has always been ambitious, I always set my goals high. This led to disappointment during the seasons where I was unable to achieve these goals, but this never stopped me from pursuing them. These disappointments and struggles helped me learn so many valuable life skills that have come in handy in academics and in my work environments.
Since I can remember, anxiety has been a part of my everyday life. In the past, it hindered me socially, academically and athletically. I used to be afraid to speak out in class or nervous to interact in regular social situations. Over time, I have pushed myself out of my comfort zone to overcome these social issues and to find ways to manage my anxiety when I feel that it is overwhelming. Swimming has been the most important and helpful way for me to alleviate my anxiety. When I am in the pool, I feel pure joy. It is a healthy place for me to escape the noise and stresses of life when I need a break.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into your business story. Tell us more about the business.
I have two jobs in addition to school: lifeguarding at UCSD’s Canyonview Aquatic Center for the recreation department and coaching for Swim San Diego.
The culture in UCSD’s recreation department is unlike any environment that I have worked in before. Everyone is so caring and quirky and has so much to offer. Each shift gives me an opportunity to learn something new about the person I am working with and everyone is so different.
Coaching for Swim San Diego is also a lot of fun. I coach a group that consists of mostly high school boys and they make me laugh every day. I am so excited about the potential that each one of them holds in swimming and in academics. I know that they all have bright futures and I can’t wait to see where they go in their swimming and academic careers.
I think that I stand out in both of these jobs because of my positive attitude, smile, ability to work with many different personalities and ability to problem solve on the go. My creativity allows me to keep up with the imaginations of my high school swimmers and allows me to come up with solutions to keep patrons satisfied on deck.
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
I have a book titled “A Year of Daily Joy” that one of my swim coaches gave to me when I graduated high school. This one is important to me because it reminds me of that coach, who always brought a smile to my face, and because it has so many uplifting quotes and thought-provoking statements. It reminds me that everything is going to be okay, even when life gets overwhelming.
I also listen to a podcast titled “Crime Junkie,” which is just something that keeps me focused when I am lifeguarding late at night. It is really fun to listen to and hear about how the law enforcement officers responded to each situation that arises.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 916-467-6248
- Email: alaynacgocke@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alaynacharlie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005686248579
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alayna-gocke-8b8775171
Image Credit:
Nicholas Probert
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