About Iris Zimmermann
Career
I am an Olympian, Mother, and Coach. I officially began my coaching journey several years ago, but my experience and “obsession” with success and mindset began early on as an athlete. Even as a young fencer, I understood that although the opponent was the target, the pursuit of my goals was about my ability to hone my skills, sharpen my mind, and tap into my own potential. At 14 years old I became the first Fencing World Champion from the United States. My 21-year career in fencing led me to a scholarship at Stanford University, an Olympic team, and eventually a place in the United States Fencing Hall of Fame. After I retired from fencing, I became the co-owner of the Rochester Fencing Club with my sister and fellow Olympian, Felicia Zimmermann. If you want to know more about what we learned through sports and business ownership, you can click here to listen to our episode on the Path Distilled podcast. I am currently a Performance Coach and the VP of Coaching at Valor Performance.
Iris Zimmermann
Experience
My success in athletics, my experience as a business owner, and even my experience of being a Mom, informs my coaching practice. Through my work at Valor Performance, I have worked with professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders from HubSpot, LinkedIn, Salesforce, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Akamai. I have helped to support my clients on the path from where they are now to where they want to go in their lives and careers.
Education
I hold a BA from Stanford University, an MBA from the University of Rochester Simon School of Business, and I am an ICF (Internal Coach Federation) Certified Coach and DISC profile certified through TTSI. I live with my husband and two daughters in Rochester, NY.
• 2000 Olympian
• 2001 NCAA Champion
• First World Champion for the USA
• 2013 US Fencing Hall of Fame inductee
• 2018 40 Under 40 Rochester Business Journal award winner
I am also able to work with clients remotely via Zoom or FaceTime.
