Jessica Zelinka has been a fitness role model for almost a decade. Zelinka was our choice at IMPACT to be the cover athlete representative of Canadians heading to the Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012. At 34, she continues to inspire, mother of a 7-year-old daughter and still fit as ever.
“It’s such an honour to be on the cover of IMPACT,” Zelinka says. “It’s neat to be recognized as a face to watch for the Olympics.”
A Pan Am Games gold medallist and winner of two silvers at the Commonwealth Games in heptathlon, Zelinka is back in Calgary training under long-time coach Les Gramantik after spending time in Connecticut and Montreal. She hopes to qualify for her third Olympics this summer, but one way or another, this is her last shot at Games glory.
Zelinka suffered an Achilles injury last year and lost her national team funding in the process, so she’s had to dig deep into the well to support her athletic dreams.
“I will be retiring after this summer,” she says, “I just haven’t come up with what’s next, yet.”
