Joey Cifelli may have once dreamed of Olympic glory, but these days, he’s all about coaching the next generation of divers—and doing it with a healthy dose of heart, humor, and queerness.
An accomplished NCAA Division I athlete for Purdue, Joey made waves in the 1- and 3-meter events, finishing in the top 12 at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials and placing fourth at the World Championships Trials a year later.
Now, he’s channeling those same high-flying skills into guiding young divers toward not just better form, but also richer, more resilient lives, OutSports writes.
Diving Meets Daily Life
“The end goal isn’t just winning a meet or making a team, it’s developing skills for life.”
That’s Joey’s philosophy in a nutshell—and it’s a mantra that any athlete (or parent) can appreciate.
He believes the “coolest thing about athletics” is facing little failures and successes every single day.
One great dive, one not-so-great dive—it’s all part of a process of learning to handle adversity and thrive under pressure.
Coaching the Next Generation
Now working poolside, Joey mentors divers of all ages in conquering big leaps—both literal and emotional.
He reminds them to “turn their mind off” in moments of performance anxiety; after all, their bodies already know what to do.
It’s that magical, in-the-zone approach that helps divers trust their instincts rather than overthink.
A Proud Presence in the Sport
As an openly gay man, Joey says diving has always felt like a space for self-expression.
Growing up, the pool was a stage where he could be himself, free from judgment or hesitation.
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He’s proud to bring that inclusive mindset to his coaching: letting kids see that success in sports—and life—doesn’t require hiding who you are.
Lessons Beyond the Pool
For Joey, being a coach means helping athletes focus on “the bigger picture,” even when titles and trophies are on the line.
He’s keen to pass along the wisdom learned from his top-tier competitions—like finishing third at the U.S. Diving National Championships, or landing in the top 20 at NCAA Championships.
The moral of the story? True growth happens in the day-to-day grind, not just on the podium.
Striving, Thriving, and Surviving
Whether he’s prepping teens for the high dive or dishing out pep talks on balancing life’s pressures, Joey is proof positive that diving can be a dazzling blend of athleticism, self-discovery, and plain old fun.
And he wants his athletes—queer or straight—to feel empowered by that sense of freedom.
With role models like Greg Louganis and Matthew Mitcham leading the way, Joey Cifelli is diving into the future of LGBTQ+ athletic leadership one practice at a time.
As his divers watch him defy expectations both in and out of the water, they’re learning that greatness is about more than a perfect pike—it’s about embracing your whole self.
So keep an eye on the boards: with Joey at the helm, the next generation of divers might just soak up lessons on courage and confidence that last far longer than their final splash.
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