Carter Nielsen’s dreams of competing as a wrestler in the 2020 Olympics suffered a massive takedown when the pandemic forced cancellation of the games. But the Minnesotan has since picked himself off the mat with help from another passion: real estate.

Training for the Olympics is a full-time occupation, so when the pandemic struck Nielsen needed a Plan B — and a job. At a time when other employers were laying people off, he landed a real estate school scholarship through Kris Lindahl Real Estate.

Nielsen hit the ground running after graduating from the real estate program and is now selling homes in a robust Twin Cities real estate market. At the same time, he’s staying ready for what he hopes will be another shot at the Olympics.

A 2015 Minnesota State High School wrestling champion, Nielsen tells his story in the following interview with Reporter Brian Johnson.