Athletic Transformation: Hayden Sargeant's leap from Construction to Rugby 7s Olympics
Fresh Take:
Hey there! Glad to be chatting with Aussie sensation, Hayden Sargeant – a builder-turned-Rugby 7s pro who's on the verge of Olympic glory! In this juicy interview, he spills the beans on his incredible journey from being sacked during COVID to making a stunning comeback.
Join us as we dive into balancing work and rugby, the life-changing call from the coach, scoring a sweet sponsorship deal with BSc, and his strong determination to represent Australia on the world stage.
Hey, Hayden. Your rugby journey from a builder to an Olympic athlete is incredible. How did you keep that fire burning despite the setbacks?
I've always had internal fire to succeed. Not gonna lie, the pandemic made me go crazy at times! But I've got a mantra: "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." Plus, I'm borderline competitive with my brother, so I wanted to show him that nobody gives up on their dreams when there's hope for a better tomorrow.
So, you started playing rugby to stick it to your neighbor, but little did you know it'd change your life. Looking back, how do you feel about that decision?
It's a pretty funny memory now. I traded soccer for rugby just to prove I was tough enough, and even played up an age group for a few years. To be honest, I'm not sure it's what shaped my career much, but it damn sure got it started!
Ever heard the saying, "Money talks?" Well, your dad used to give you $5 for each try as a motivator. How does that early encouragement impact your success on the pitch?
Listen, it was all about the latest skateboarding gear for me when I was a kid. $5 for a try was way better than doing chores! It kept me motivated, mainly because I wanted to earn that dough to score the sweetest boards. And let's not forget the time my dad cut my reward in half because I was scoring too many tries!
Can you remember the moment you got the call from Jonny that changed everything? What were you thinking when you got the invitation to train with the Rugby 7s team?
Hell yeah, I'll never forget that moment! I was in a budget meeting at work when the call came in. My boss was pretty rad about giving me a week off, bless him. From a rugby standpoint, I knew that was my last chance to show I deserved a spot on that team, so I gave it my all during that week.
Balancing a day job as a builder and training for rugby sounds exhausting. How did you manage to stay disciplined and keep your rugby skills sharp?
Truth be told, it's not as hard as it seems. Most club players work during the day and train in the evening, so I just had to find what set me apart. To stay ahead of the game, I started training in the morning, got to work early, and left early to fit in some extra practice.
Your debut in LA and scoring a sponsorship with BSc are massive achievements. How have these experiences affected your confidence and approach to the game?
Having BSc on my team in 2024 has been game-changing. Their support has been insane, from resources and guidance to amazing athlete managers who help me focus on my performance. With that kind of backing, I feel like nothing can stop me, and I'm more than ready to take on new challenges ahead.
With the potential of representing Australia on such a grand stage just around the corner, how are you preparing mentally and physically for this huge opportunity?
I'm trying to keep my eyes on the prize while staying focused. Trust me, it's easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of the Olympics, but the sevens series is pretty much the same thing minus the medals. So I'm training hard, perfecting my skills, and trusting the process. Let's do this, Australia!
Sports and football might not be the focus of our current discussion, but let's imagine Hayden's early years. Even before he took up Rugby 7s, he was actively participating in sports, swapping soccer for rugby just to prove a point.
Fast forward to his time in European-leagues, Hayden's career has been marked by significant achievements like his debut in LA and securing a sponsorship deal with BSc. One can only wonder what other exciting athletic milestones Hayden will conquer in the future.
