Name: Rachel Sears
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2014
Events: 50 free, 100 free, 100 fly
Degree: business w concentration in accounting
Profession: financial advisor
Current residence: Virginia Beach
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
In general I just look back and think about how great it was to be part of a team where we all had so much fun together inside and outside of the pool. I was lucky to have one of the best “big buddy’s” assigned to me, we’ve helped each other through a lot of life post-swimming and still talk regularly. I think the best single memory was when the guys won the 400 Free relay at conference my senior year. It was cool that my class was going out with Coach Allen on his last year, but even more awesome that we got to go out with a win like that.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
Being a college athlete helped to develop a lot of quality characteristics that help to navigate the real world as an adult. Through many things in life, both personally & professionally, it’s important to be able to work with other people, be open to feedback and always be open to new ways to learn and improve. Being conscious of time is also important, and when you grow up counting seconds by the hundredth, you’re subconsciously always aware of time!
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
I worked with my father for a few years to work towards purchasing his Wealth Management firm, which I did in 2023. I also had my first daughter, Sophie, that year! So lately I have been navigating being a business owner, always looking for fun new ways to improve our firm’s services especially through the development of AI and technology. I was behind on Chat GPT until I saw a South Park episode on it and now I use it for everything under the sun, so it’s cool to now be open to that world. The other half of my life is navigating being a mother which is also different day by day awesome to see her little personality, what she’s interested in and finding new ways to help her continue to learn and grow. My last few brain cells have recently been devoted to learning different bird calls – I downloaded this Merlin Bird ID app that was developed by Cornell that can help identify all different types of bird calls. So that’s cool too because every time I go outside it’s like I’m learning to understand the communications of a whole new world.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
South end of Wrightsville beach, Hillsdale in general and Jerry Allens.
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Not sure it qualifies as a slogan or cheer, but when Coach Allen would blow the conch shell.
Also, PMA (positive mental attitude) – Dan Forrester
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
One hard thing for me leaving college was realizing I no longer had someone to always tell me what to do! Up until this point you’ve always had a coach that most likely helped guide you in and out of the pool. Once you’re done college, you are your own coach for the rest of your life. In swimming, you had a basic stroke foundation that you developed throughout your life – this is your basic understanding of yourself, who you are, what makes you motivated, what your goals are, etc. In swimming, as new techniques came out or training strategies, you had to be open-minded to trying new things – the same applies in life; be open to change and new innovative ways to improve yourself in all aspects. Lastly, you set goals and you figured out what you needed to do to achieve them – do the same with life. When you want something, figure out what you need to do to get it, and use that same ambition to get it done. You’re starting out with a lot of great fundamentals, so just make sure you use them!