How College Swimming Changed My Life: Actress & Model Cornelia Hanes

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Photo Courtesy: Cornelia Hanes

By Seren Jones, Swimming World College Intern

By the end of our college swimming careers, we will leave the pool deck with a collection of experiences, memories, and lessons learned, which can only be entirely understood by fellow college swimmers. The sport that has dominated our lives for the past decade will no longer dictate our time. The adventure that has taken us on a roller coaster ride to our euphoric highs, our rock-bottom lows, and of course a journey of the inner-self, will inevitably come to an end.

But just because we’ll hang up our goggles and ditch the super suits that doesn’t mean that the sport will be completely out of our lives. What we may or may not have realized during all of those “pointless” hours we stared at the black line, and through the years of blood, sweat, tears and chlorine, is that the values of swimming were being instilled into our minds. And whether we want to or not, we will carry them with us wherever our paths may lead. These values, which were emphasized during the last four years, will change our lives.

Just ask Cornelia Hanes.

From The Chlorine To The Big Screen

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Photo Courtesy: Cornelia Hanes

Cornelia Hanes doesn’t have the typical office job. The 25-year-old, who graduated as a theater major and captain of LIU Post Women’s Swim Team in 2012, is battling for a breakthrough in one of the world’s most cut-throat industries. Acting.

“The competition is hard, I constantly go on auditions and castings,” said Hanes, who is originally from Stockholm, Sweden. “Sometimes my manager finds me work, and sometimes I find work on my own from all the multiple websites out there. If I like a project, I dont care how small it is, at least I get to do what I love.”

Having left Long Island University three years ago, Hanes realised how the values of swimming have proved beneficial beyond her college years, and that they affect her attitude toward her extremely unpredictable and sometimes ruthless career.

“College swimming definitely made me grow and mature. I learned that if you want to improve, to be the best, there are no short cuts.”

And that’s exactly what she does.

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Photo Courtesy: Cornelia Hanes

Since graduating university, the Swede has landed acting jobs both on and off the television screen, with her biggest appearance thus far being on the New York Stock Exchange commercial in 2013.

“The NYSE was really cool because it was broadcasted nationwide on CNN. After that, my OPT expired so it was hard to find work, and I had to wait until I was legal to work in the US again.”

But this doesn’t mean that Hanes gave up hope. As a former college swimmer, setbacks were nothing new.

“I have to remind myself to trust the timing of my life,” she said. “I recently finished a short film called ‘The Devil Sits On Both Shoulders,’ where I play an agent named Caitlyn, which was a lot of fun! I also recently signed with a new manager, Dream Maker Talent Management, and a new fitness modeling agency called STETTS Model Management that I am really excited about. In this industry you need to surround yourself with people who believe in you and your talent.”

A lot of Hanes’ success has been due to what she was taught throughout her college swimming career, which apparently is more than just how to swim a 50 free in 23.54 seconds, a record that remains unbroken on the women’s team.

“College swimming has taught me dedication and preparation. It is actually very similar to acting,” she admitted. “It’s performing, and the work you put in before that. The importance of tearing it up like a pro, and not letting the nerves get the best of you. I always try and give it 100 percent, regardless of how small the role may be.”

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Photo Courtesy: Cornelia Hanes

Her experience on the team at LIU Post also contributed toward Hanes’ journey of self-discovery.

“My freshman year I won the 50 free in my conference (Metropolitan). That was huge for me because I realized what I could do, and that hard work really does pay off. I don’t think I truly believed in my talent before that.”

However, it wasn’t swimming alone that changed Hanes’ self-perspective. Her coaches at LIU Post also played a vital role in encouraging her to believe in herself and her abilities.

“They did the best thing coaches could do, they believed in me. Mike Travers worked with me every day for three years, through blood, sweat and tears. He always told me I could be the best if I wanted to, and that the only one standing in my way was me. He helped build my confidence, and he improved my swimming tremendously. I’m so grateful to have had that. When you dedicate your life to a sport, how you think about it and view it, it will affect everything else in your life as well. I don’t think I realized it at the time, but it truly did.”

College swimming certainly isn’t easy, and at times, you find yourself asking why you chose the route.

Why you didn’t opt out in high school? Why you chose to miss out on “the real college experience”? Why you chose not to be a “normal” college student?

Although many believe that at the end of our four years, students and student-athletes graduate together having undergone the same college experiences; as swimmers, we secretly cherish the fact that we’ve gained more than just a university degree.

Cornelia Hanes is currently an actress and fitness model living in Manhattan, NY. To find out more about Hanes and her work visit her website.

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Tammy Lee
8 years ago

No idea who she is!

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