Announcing the Recipients of the Inaugural Switch Mentality Scholarship

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the inaugural Switch Mentality Scholarship, which is designed to support athletes transitioning from sports to new academic and professional paths. At Switch Mentality, we are committed to empowering athletes to succeed in life after sports, and these two recipients exemplify the resilience, determination, and ambition we aim to celebrate.

Carmen Whelan

Carmen Whelan is an elite athlete who has represented Canada on the world stage as a rhythmic gymnast for 16 years. A national champion and a member of the Canadian Olympic team, Carmen has competed in the World Championships, World Cups, Pan Am Games, and Commonwealth Games. After sustaining an injury that led to her retirement, Carmen now looks to the future with a new dream—to become a sports medicine physician. “Carmen’s goal is to use her medical expertise to help future Canadian national team athletes, just as the surgeons and physicians who supported her did”. Her experience with career-altering injuries has fueled her desire to make a difference in the journeys of other athletes, ensuring they remain healthy and at the top of their game.

Clement Nti

Clement Nti graduated from the University of Toronto Mississauga with a degree in Criminology and Sociology. Clement’s journey is one of resilience and advocacy. A former football player, Clement made the courageous decision to leave the sport behind to focus on his academic career. Inspired by the struggles his mother faced while seeking legal representation due to financial challenges, Clement’s goal is “to give a voice to the voiceless”. His passion for helping underrepresented individuals in the justice system drives him to become a lawyer, ensuring that those with limited financial means can still receive justice. Despite the challenges of transitioning from football, Clement successfully graduated from university, and we are proud to support his journey as he continues to work toward making a difference in the legal world.

Both Carmen and Clement have shown remarkable dedication to their personal goals, and we are honoured to support them in their continued journeys. At Switch Mentality, we believe that athletes possess unique skills and strengths that can lead to success in any field, and Clement and Carmen are living proof of that belief. We are excited to watch them continue to make an impact in their respective fields.

Congratulations to Clement and Carmen on being the inaugural recipients of the Switch Mentality Scholarship!