Jared Smith: The Power of Persistence and the Importance of Giving Back

Jared Smith is a former fencer who now works in data engineering and software development. Throughout both his athletic and professional careers, he has consistently demonstrated perseverance, discipline, and purpose-driven growth.

Fencing became a proving ground for Jared, demanding everything he had and pushing him to become the best version of himself both on and off the piste.

Jared began fencing at the age of nine and quickly developed a deep love for the sport because it gave him an ability to fully express himself. Both the individual and team aspects of fencing influenced who he is today because he learned how to show up for himself and for those who surround him. Additionally, the sport became a proving ground for Jared, demanding everything he had and pushing him to become the best version of himself both on and off the piste.

Throughout his athletic career, Jared faced significant challenges and uncertainty. In high school, he did not find consistent national-level success, but he remained committed to the sport because of his amazing community and support from his team at Avant Garde Fencer’s Club and the US National team. That perseverance ultimately led to a major milestone: an offer at the #1 NCAA fencing school in the country and his top-choice school, the University of Notre Dame. Even then, the challenges continued. Transitioning into NCAA athletics brought a demanding schedule, balancing elite training with academic expectations, all while navigating the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic that interrupted the first NCAA championships he would compete in. Reflecting on that period, Jared shares, “I had some honest conversations with my family and I knew that I was knocking on the door to something really special. I went all in on my sport, being the first at practice, last one in the room, and leading by example.” That commitment translated into continued growth, both in skill and results. “By my 5th year I had secured an ACC Individual Championship, NCAA Individual Runner Up, and 3 NCAA Team championships.”

“I went all in on my sport, being the first at practice, last one in the room, and leading by example.”

After graduating college, Jared continued training and pursued qualification for the Olympics. While he ultimately did not make an Olympic team, he reflects on this chapter with gratitude for how far he progressed. “In my final senior competition in Orleans 2023, I finally made my first second day. I celebrated my victory with my teammates…it was one of the most special moments of my career. It wasn't an Olympic medal, but it was proof of everything I'd put into the sport.

As his competitive fencing career came to a close, Jared began a new chapter of identity and purpose. He describes this shift clearly: “While my identity before was me actively trying to meet the highest performance that I possibly could, now it’s changed. I’m helping the next generation of athletes with a better experience than I could have had.”

“I’m helping the next generation of athletes with a better experience than I could have had.”

Today, Jared works full-time building data engineering infrastructure for companies and has also founded his own business, Derived Athletics. Through this work, he remains closely connected to fencing by contributing to the development of the World Fencing League, while also launching FencR, a fencing club management and analytics platform. He describes this work as deeply fulfilling, especially because it allows him to create systems and support structures he wishes had existed during his own athletic career.

Through his business, Derived Athletics, and launching FencR, a fencing club management and analytics platform, Jared is giving back by contributing to the development of the World Fencing League and supporting future athletes.

Jared first heard about Athletes’ Soul through a teammate and attended a live event in Los Angeles that helped him connect with other athletes and expand his network. Later, during his retirement transition, he joined a group coaching program. He found the weekly sessions valuable for processing emotions, gaining perspective, and reducing the sense of isolation that can come with leaving sport. Today, he continues to use tools from the program in his daily life, intentionally slowing down to reflect rather than rushing forward. Practices such as journaling have helped him better identify and process emotions in a grounded way. “I’m processing each day, and just appreciating it because as an athlete I never did…I was always looking forward to the next thing, and then the next thing.”

To athletes currently competing, Jared emphasizes the importance of staying present and reconnecting with joy in the sport itself. He encourages athletes to appreciate the opportunity to compete and to approach each moment with gratitude, recognizing the privilege of being healthy and able to perform. For those transitioning out of sport, he recommends actively seeking new outlets, building new communities, and avoiding isolation during the shift in identity. When reflecting on Athletes’ Soul, Jared is direct about its impact on him during his transition away from fencing. “If I had to go through that alone, it would have been a difficult process, and a community like Athletes’ Soul provides a great network and resources to enable athletes in their transition from sport.”

“A community like Athletes’ Soul provides a great network and resources to enable athletes in their transition from sport.”

Jared's journey reflects a shift from performance-driven identity to purpose-driven contribution. While fencing once defined his daily pursuit of excellence, today he carries that same passion into supporting the next generation of athletes and creating opportunities for others to succeed as he had throughout his career. His story is not defined by a single outcome, but by his support system and community, his effort, and his pursuit to leave his community better than he found it.

If you'd like to connect with Jared, connect with him directly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredcartersmith/.

Interested in helping your company work better with data? Check out some of Jared's work at South Shore Analytics: https://www.southshoreanalytics.com