Lauren Gibbs

Lauren Gibbs, born on March 2, 1984, in Los Angeles, California, is an accomplished American bobsledder. Her athletic journey began at Brown University, where she was initially recruited for track but chose to play volleyball, excelling to become team captain by her senior year. After graduating in 2006, Gibbs pursued a career in corporate sales, a role she would later leave to pursue a new path in sports.

In 2013, at the age of 30, Gibbs made a significant career change, leaving her corporate sales position to try out for the U.S. bobsled team. She was inspired to join the sport after an Olympic athlete noticed her strength during a CrossFit workout in Denver in 2014. Despite her late start in the sport, Gibbs quickly made an impact, joining the national team in her inaugural year. Her dedication led her to an Olympic silver medal at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics in the two-woman event, alongside teammate Elana Meyers Taylor. This achievement marked her as the first Brown alumna to medal at the Winter Olympics since 2010 and only the second bobsledder from Brown to secure an Olympic medal. She also earned a bronze medal at the 2016 Bobsled World Championships and a gold medal at the 2020 World Championships in the two-woman competition.

Throughout her career, Gibbs accumulated 17 World Cup medals, including 6 gold, 3 silver, and 8 bronze. Her journey illustrates a narrative of pursuing unconventional paths and achieving high-level success. She has transitioned into public speaking, sharing her experiences about courage, career progression, and personal achievement. Gibbs’ story highlights the value of embracing new challenges, regardless of age, and the rewards of sustained effort.