From B-School To The Paralympic Games: How My Master’s Helped Me Become An Elite Athlete

For Camille Sénéclauze, being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) was not going to stop her from participating in the sports she’d always loved. 

A long time track runner and gymnast from France, before beginning her business school journey Camille competed at an amateur level alongside her career in marketing and communications. 

She continued to balance sports with her professional life while studying a bachelor’s in business management. Later, after deciding to enroll in a master’s degree, she searched for business schools that would allow her to continue balancing her studies with sports. 

“Sport was already a big part of my life and very important to me. Audencia Business School was the school that had it the most in its DNA,” she explains. 

But shortly after entering the school’s Master in Management program in 2019, Camille received the life-changing news that she had MS. A condition that affects the brain and spinal cord and produces symptoms including extreme fatigue, sensory loss, and a loss of strength, this would have a significant impact on Camille’s ability to train and perform. 

But, determined to carry on with the sports she loved, Camille continued her training and shortly after her diagnosis she discovered a new passion: Triathlon. Each year Audencia plays host to France’s largest triathlon competition, the Audencia La Baule, which tests athletes’ endurance as they compete across swimming, cycling, and running. Given the event features more than 7500 athletes competing over 10 races, Camille was inspired by the competition. 

Discovering a love for Triathlon during her time at Audencia marked a turning point for Camille: “I discovered triathlon with the Audencia La Baule triathlon and immediately fell in love with it. The year after, I was classified in paratriathlon (PTS4) and began a high level [sporting] journey at the end of my master’s.”

Today, less than two years since starting to compete in triathlon, Camille has made rapid progress and is about to embark on a new challenge having earned a spot to represent France at the 2024 Summer Paralympic Games in Paris. 

Since graduating from business school in 2022, she has spent her time balancing preparing for the Paralympic Games while also working as a consultant for Capgemini Invent, the digital innovation branch of the multinational Capgemini Group. 

To find out more about how her time at business school has impacted her journey in sport and her career in consulting, BusinessBecause caught up with Camille. She shared an insight into how her studies helped prepare her to be an elite athlete. 

What does a typical day currently look like for you as someone involved in both a consulting career and training for the Paralympic games? 

CS: I joined Capgemini Invent as a consultant during my master’s doing part-time study and part-time work and stayed there after graduating. Today, we have an agreement that allows me to work part-time and train the rest of the time, with a lot of flexibility. 

A typical day would be waking up early to go to my first session, usually swimming; then some work and recovery before getting on with my second session, which would be on the bike or running. I’ll then end the day with physical therapy.

Is there anything readers may find surprising or unexpected about competing in the Paralympic Games?

CS: Two things are for me important to underline: the first is that not every disability is visible, there are so many different forms of handicap; the second is that we are high level athletes in the same way as other athletes—we train the same and our performances are very near the Olympic Games for some categories. 

How do you stay motivated to pursue sport at such a high level, alongside a career in business? 

CS: I think that to stay motivated you have to be sure of what you want and where you want to go. 

For me, being passionate about my sport and having a clear view of what I want to achieve helps me to keep loving the process, even when it is more difficult or less motivating.

Did you gain any skills during your time at business school that you have also found to be useful for your training?

CS: Training for a big event can be a lot like studying for a big exam. It can be stressful but we learn so much, and it requires us to be organized, dedicated, and to always be looking for the most efficient and smart way of performing. 

My studies at Audencia also taught me how to build and rely on a team to achieve demanding goals.

Are there any relevant skills or lessons you learned at business school that have influenced your career as an athlete?

CS: Trust the process—there are always ups and downs but it is part of the learning journey. And be flexible, there are often multiple different roads that lead to the same destination.

Looking ahead after the Paralympic Games, what are your long-term goals both in terms of your career and sport? 

CS: I just achieved my first goal to qualify for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games after only 18 months on the circuit. I want to enjoy every minute of it and to be able to give my best at home. 

Then my main goal is to compete at Los Angeles 2028 and to reach a potential medal in my category.