I didn't raise my daughter to become an Olympic champion, but she did. I raised her to handle failure.

The author's daughter won Olympic gold in triathlon.

Courtesy of the author My daughter, Gwen Jorgensen, didn't earn a swimming scholarship or become a professional runner.

After college, she became a CPA before USA Triathlon recruited her.

Seven years after trying triathlon, she won an Olympic gold medal.

People ask how I raised an Olympic champion .

They expect stories about hiring private coaches, driving to competitions across the country, and arranging my life around the sport she loved.

But the goal, for my husband and me, was to raise a happy, well-rounded, capable daughter with the good judgment to choose a career she loved.

Raising an Olympic champion never crossed our minds.

In school, she really loved swimming In elementary school, Gwen excelled on her hometown swim team , and sometimes she stood on the podium.

Her life revolved around evening swim practices, Saturday competitions, and time with her swim friends.

The author's daughter really loved swimming.

Courtesy of the author While she nurtured her obsession with the water, I insisted she take violin lessons.

As a music educator , I knew violin would teach daily discipline, perseverance through challenges, and the satisfaction of contributing to an ensemble.

One evening, as I drove her to orchestra rehearsal, Gwen bargained with me: she would play violin that night if I took her to the YMCA for an extra swim session .