Meet Bailey Olerich | University of Iowa Softball Player and Student

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bailey Olerich and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bailey, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
My mother’s side is from Venezuela but my dad was born in Iowa. I was brought up with two completely different type of cultures. They both have impacted who I am now enormously and I think it helps me want to know more of the world. I want to go out and learn about all the different other type of cultures I don’t know of. Along with that, I would say that I am a very heartwarming person. I want good for the whole world and I can understand both sides of situations. Having two cultures have made a better me and I wouldn’t want to ever change that.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My work as of now is my schooling. I am attending the University of Iowa to play softball and continue my goals of becoming a pediatrician. When it came to softball there were many challenges I faced. I had to learn how to hit from the right side to the left side to become a slapper. I had to overcome all of the hard times that have helped me became the softball player I am now. I haven’t faced many challenges yet for my schooling but I know there will be many in my future. I will keep my head high and try to keep climbing to be just a well rounded person. As long as I don’t give up all my goals should come true.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The best place to go in Colorado is Avon and Glenwood Springs. I loved both of those places and their is so much to do. In Glenwood Springs my family went rafting down the rivers and after went to the Iron Mountain Hot Springs which is a bunch of hot tubs that contain a bunch of minerals to help with relaxing your body/mind. In Avon my family went on a couple of hikes and ended up seeing a beautiful waterfall. Along with trails there is the town of Avon which has many beautiful shops. Such a heartwarming environment at both places and many activities to do.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout will have to go to my abuelo My abuelo is a very strong soul and has impacted me hugely. He was diagnosed a couple years ago with Pulmonary Fibrosis ( a deadly disease where your lungs continue to tar throughout time). His condition got worse rapidly and the only way to cure this disease was to get a transplant. Oxygen tanks became essential for him rapidly but soon that wasn’t enough. He had to be put on the life machine but he told the doctors before that, “if it is necessary for me to live then just do it”. That was one quote that I admired of him because I knew he wasn’t going to ever give up. A day after beautiful lungs fell from heaven to save my abuelo. My abuelo is now here living his best life and now I can say I have the strongest abuelo ever. Your loved ones will leave at some point and the time you have with them must be cherished. Before this experience, I never realized the importance of memories but now I understand the reason for them. I take every moment as if it may be my last because you just never know when it may end. Hold on to them! Remember that every breath you take counts because you never know when you will have your last. Don’t end up counting your breaths and missing out on life that should be filled with happiness by spending time with loved ones.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/baileyolerich?r=nametag