It’s not like Tommy Rowlands really needed more things to do.

Rowlands is training full-time on a quest to make the 2012 U.S. Olympic freestyle wrestling team. He is a husband and a father in a growing family. He has also been instrumental in the success of the Ohio Regional Training Center, where he and other top Olympic hopefuls are training in freestyle.

So, how does Rowlands find the time and energy to help launch a new performance apparel company?

“The first thing is that every Olympic hopeful has their own equilibrium as to what they need to do to succeed. I’m the type of person who needs to stay active and engaged in other things. I have always been that way,” said Rowlands.

Rowlands is one of the founders of Conquest, which was launched the first week of May, to coincide with the Beat the Streets Gala in New York City.

The brand will be marketed to the wrestling and MMA communities, and will feature training and competition gear.

“I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit and wanted to be in business my whole life. I have a family now and need to make plans for a future after wrestling. Starting a performance apparel brand with a unique focus on the wrestling community would be a great way to help people stay in the sport I love and for me to be in business,” he said.

The company will produce performance apparel for "original athletes." It will also have a commitment to the Olympic movement by donating a portion of its sales to Olympic hopefuls.

“Elite athlete performance, the Olympic ideals and having a brand that is about athletes is what we want our brand to stand for. ‘For Original Athletes’ is truly an authentic way to describe our brand,” said Rowlands.

Although the new business has Rowlands very excited, he knows that his Olympic quest at the heavyweight division remains job number one.

“The entire business plan for the next 14 months is based on having time to train for the Olympics. It is focused on things that allow me to create a revenue stream and start the business, but at the same time have wrestling my No. 1 priority. My partners support this. Every decision is made with the notion that wrestling is my top priority,” he said.

He truly has the pedigree that makes his Olympic dreams very realistic. Rowlands was a two-time NCAA champion for Ohio State, and placed fifth at the 2007 World Championships. He is also a past University World Games champion. 

Rowlands did not compete in 2009, and made a comeback late in the 2010 season. This year, after winning a number of international medals, Rowlands placed third at the 2011 U.S. Open in Cleveland, placing behind champion Tervel Dlagnev and runner-up Steve Mocco. He believes his return to the mat has gone pretty well, but he is not yet satisfied with his results.

“I went 18-3 internationally this year, and had one of the better international seasons I have ever had,” said Rowlands. “I wanted a full year to compete to get back into the sport at a high level. I am disappointed with the U.S. Open performance. Certainly, I didn’t come back to be on the National Team. I want to be on the Olympic Team. I am in the mix. It is hard to be better than in the mix. I know I have to perform when it counts and that is June 11 at the World Team Trials.”

For more information on Conquest brand, visit:
www.conquestbrand.com