After announcing her retirement in January, Savner opened Strength N Honor, a fencing and strength training facility in Simsbury, with the goal of developing more than just great athletes.
Most Olympians spend years chasing their dream. Now, Connecticut Olympian Jessica Savner is helping others chase theirs
After announcing her retirement in January, Savner opened Strength N Honor, a fencing and strength training facility in Simsbury, with the goal of developing more than just great athletes
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“When I’m on the strip, it’s the most me I’ve ever felt,” Savner said. “I’ve done a lot of sports, and none have quite given me that same feeling.”
Now she’s helping the next generation of Connecticut athletes discover that same passion
“It’s mind-blowing,” Simsbury fencer Ben Polsgrove said. “I would have never thought that there’s somebody so talented and specialized in this sport just five minutes away.”
The Bethlehem native was the only American to compete in the modern pentathlon at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She trained under former football standout and ex-New York Giant Steve Konopka
“She came in, she worked, and I put her through the wringer,” Konopka said. “Even when she got injured nine weeks or so out of the Olympics, she said, ‘Come up with a game plan because I’m not missing this.’ She was in there with crutches.”
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Konopka said Savner’s determination never wavered
“She was in there with a brace. It’s just the refusal to be denied,” he added
That shared drive inspired the pair to open Strength ‘N’ Honor, combining fencing instruction with strength training
“Fencing is a power sport,” Savner said. “If you look at how fencers in other countries are training, they’re focusing so much more on power. We want to bring that same philosophy to our fencers so they can perform better.”
Konopka said the facility is built around a simple mindset
“It’s on the back of all our shirts: ‘No White Flags.’ You come here, it’s all business,” he said
For Elena Bontatibus, that approach makes a difference
“Coach is always pushing me to my limit, pushing me to the best of my ability. I need that fire,” she said
For Savner, the biggest victory is helping every athlete who walks through the doors believe they’re capable of more than they think
“I want them to find joy in the sport,” Savner said. “I want them to find confidence, learn skills and have a little bit of self-discipline.”
Savner said she was never the athlete people expected to make the Olympics
“I was never the athlete on my teams that anyone would necessarily look at and go, ‘Oh, she’s going to the Olympics.’ And I did it anyway,” Savner said. “I treat every single athlete with that same respect because anybody can make an Olympic team if they really have their heart set on it.”
