Justina Di Stasio on Wrestling, Education, Olympics, and Inspiring the Next Generation

Standing on the world stage at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Justina Di Stasio finally achieved a dream she had been chasing for years. Her journey to the Olympics wasn’t easy–marked by near-misses in 2016 and 2020–but her perseverance never wavered. Now an Olympian, world champion wrestler, and dedicated educator, Justina’s path reflects her ability to balance elite athleticism with her passion for teaching and helping others grow. 

Justina's connection to SFU started through wrestling. "I came to SFU for my undergrad because of the wrestling program," Justina recalls. "I wrestled on the varsity team from 2010-2014 and graduated with my Bachelor's in English in 2015." However, her love for helping others led her back to SFU to pursue a teaching certification in the Faculty of Education. "I knew I wanted to be a teacher because I love helping and working with other people, so it was an easy choice to pick SFU again for my teaching certification," she explains.

Balancing Wrestling and Education

Balancing the demands of high-level athletics and academics is a challenging feat, and Justina's time in the Professional Development Program (PDP) taught her valuable life lessons beyond the wrestling mat. "In PDP, I learned that the goal wasn't to be the best but to be and do my best," Justina shares. "This helped remove some pressure of always trying to be the best wrestler in every camp and competition." Instead, she focused on doing her best in every part of her training and learning from her mistakes.

Her journey was not without its challenges. The demands of training for the Olympics conflicted with her practicum requirements, forcing her to make tough decisions. "I started PDP in 2017, but after two semesters, my coach and I realized I wouldn't be able to commit to the time needed to complete my full practicum while training and wrestling," she recalls. The support and flexibility provided to her by SFU allowed her to pause her education and return when the timing was right, eventually completing her practicum in Spring 2021. "I can't thank the Faculty of Education enough for being so accommodating. It changed my life," she says with gratitude.

Competing on the World Stage

Justina showed resilience in her Olympic journey. After narrowly missing the chance to compete in 2016 and 2020, she stayed committed to her dream of representing Canada on the world stage. This determination paid off when she secured her spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics, a personal and professional triumph.

In preparing for the Games, Justina focused on doing her best rather than succumbing to the moment's pressure. This approach, learned through years of balancing intense wrestling training with academic demands, helped her stay grounded. Her Olympic experience in Paris was a culmination of years of hard work and perseverance, a milestone that reinforced the lessons she aims to pass on to her students: that success is often the result of enduring the toughest challenges and never giving up​.

Inspiring the Next Generation

As both an educator and an Olympian, Justina sees her role as one of inspiration and mentorship for the next generation of students. Her message is clear: perseverance, adaptability, and determination are key to success in any field. "It doesn't matter where you start but where you end up," she emphasizes. "The journey can be just as fun as the destination when you feel the most challenged and experiencing the most growth."

Justina's commitment to mental health advocacy is another crucial aspect of her role as an educator. She aims to create a supportive environment for her students, much like the one she found in her wrestling coach, who helped her see her anxiety as a strength rather than a weakness. "I would love for my students to feel as supported as I did and realize that being yourself is enough to do whatever you set your mind on."

Looking to the Future

As she begins her first full-time teaching role in Burnaby post-Olympics, Justina is also preparing for the next chapter in her wrestling career. "I haven't figured out how exactly I'm going to balance wrestling and teaching long term," she admits. "But short term, I am starting my first full-time role in Burnaby this year and healing up my body and mind from the Olympics before I get back into wrestling."

Justina's journey inspires and reminds us that success often comes through navigating challenges and embracing growth. For Faculty of Education students, her story offers a relatable example of how dedication and resilience can open doors in academics and beyond.