I’m an Olympic medallist who taught 25-stone Eddie Hall to backflip – now I’d love to work with Spiderman and have brand new job
Nile Wilson has carved out a new career for himself since retiring as a gymnast, one that he’s absolutely loving.
You may recognise him for being in the Olympics, for winning Dancing On Ice, and now for going viral on social media.
The 28-year-old was an absolute superstar for Team GB, winning a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro.
His medal record includes countless other gold, silver and bronzes from the World, European, and Commonwealth Games.
Officially, he retired in 2021 and now he has a new job leading up to Paris 2024. One as a pundit.
He told talkSPORT in Paris: “I retired three years ago and probably before that my last major competition I prepared for was maybe in 2018 so it's been a hell of a long time.
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“The thought of that feels such a distant memory, but it is different I guess being involved in the games on the other side I'm still nervous.
“It's a new job to me. I absolutely loved performing as an athlete and I guess now I’m at peace with retirement.â€
Wilson has been incredibly open about his struggles with mental health as he made the transition from full-time athlete to life after sport.
Depression, alcohol and gambling issues are all part of his story. One that led him to write a book, called The Lessons, giving a guide to working through mental health issues based on his experiences.
“I've spoken about this a lot and I think it's a conversation that possibly needs to be had,†Wilson said. “It's exciting in the run-up and we all want to talk about the glory, the history-making moments.
“But really these superstars they're going to have to go home to normal life and the huge athletes have spoken about it in the past and I'm in the same boat.
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“The Olympic come down is very very real and I believe every single athlete will experience that to some extent.
“It's absolutely normal and it's okay to feel like that. Generally getting back in the gym is what we do and we always look at what's next, but I'd love for them to just go home and just soak in the moment and be proud of what they've achieved because you know not many people on this planet become Olympians.â€
Being relatable and a positive influence has undoubtedly helped his success after retiring from gymnastics.
He has more than 1.6million subscribers on YouTube, and millions more across other platforms.
He has tried various different sports and collaborated with some big names, even teaching former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall how to do a backflip.
“I was shocked by his [Hall’s] gymnastics skill. We got the world's strongest man to do a backflip and I love that.
“I love that about that because you know particularly I'm talking about grassroots and children getting involved in gymnastics.
“I think every single child should do it not just to be a gymnast but the fundamentals it gives you from a body awareness perspective from strength from coordination from flexibility from mindset.
“But it showed that adults can get involved. You don't have to be a gymnast to be able to do that.â€
And his dream collaboration? Well there was one name that immediately came to mind.
“Maybe Spiderman - Tom Holland. He's pretty good already, he used to do it as a kid.â€
It’s not just social media content that has his attention, he also has his own gymnastics clubs with five sites now across the UK.
This summer for the first time too he will be a pundit on TV screens with Discovery Plus.
There are some big medal hopefuls for the Olympics for Team GB too.
He added: “We have massive medal hopefuls. Obviously you've got the legend and the greatest Max Whitlock.
“He’s going for his fourth Olympics title and his third on the pommel horse in three consecutive games in what will be his last.
“I'm very close friends with him and it will be a special moment, so definitely look out for him.
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“We've got some new young lads in the team that are super strong and incredibly talented on certain apparatus and are already world champions. So basically it's gonna be a really exciting games for British gymnastics.â€
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