U.S. OIympian Challenges Women to Use the 2012 Olympic Games to Inspire Confidence Beyond the Playing Field

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Aug. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As the symbolic flame of the 2012 London Olympic Games is extinguished, one Olympian hopes the vision of the dynamic women of Team USA continues to inspire women of all ages far beyond the playing field and into America's boardrooms.

Carrie Englert Zimmerman, gymnast in the 1976 Montreal Olympics and co-founder of The Zimmerman Agency, www.zimmerman.com, was the first American woman to earn a perfect "10" in gymnastics, and has been equally successful in the business arena, building one of the largest public relations firms in the United States. Recently, Zimmerman was identified as one of the top 10 Olympians who have become high-powered corporate entrepreneurs.

"The iconic female performances by London Games' heroes such as Gabby Douglas, Missy Franklin and Jessica Ennis reflected an unparalleled confidence," says Zimmerman. "Hopefully, those gold medal moments are a catalyst for a continued level of confidence, inspiration and passion for women beyond just sports, but continuing into their careers."

The 2012 London Olympic Games represented a milestone for women in sports. The USA women won 29 gold medals in London (to the men's 17), and, had the USA women been their own nation, they would have been bested only by China in a gold medal count.

"Involvement in sports, for men and women, has always been a tremendous boost to individual self esteem, but men have tended to carry over that attitude more successfully into the business world," adds Zimmerman.

Carrie Englert Zimmerman admits her unconventional, practically disruptive, business model has added to her being one of America's most successful businesswomen.

"Not conforming to the normal business mantra – in fact, utilizing a contradictory approach – has led to many of my well-known business philosophies," adds Zimmerman. "I promote 'me' as being the core component of a great team, and that the most dreaded four letter F*** word is the word 'fine.' Just like I've broken the traditional thinking of how to run a business for The Zimmerman Agency, women should not conform to how men structure their career paths."

Zimmerman states, "The Olympics creates the greatest arena in the world to demonstrate fearlessness in its most authentic form, but, no matter at what level a woman competed in sports, the same tenacious spirit translates perfectly into a savvy business acumen."

SOURCE The Zimmerman Agency