IF one word could describe Andy Triggs Hodge’s life after rowing, it would be ‘content’.

Living in deepest south Oxfordshire and next to a local pub which has its own Olympic rings made out of hula hoops, the 37-year-old seems more than happy.

And why wouldn’t he be?

He won a third Olympic gold medal in Rio as part of the men’s eight, has started a new job, and his wife Eeke recently gave birth to their second child, Euan.

“I’m very happy with life. I’m over the moon,” said Triggs Hodge, as we walk down the narrow country roads in the sleepy village of Checkendon.

“I have got three gold medals, a beautiful wife, two beautiful children, a good energising job and I live in a beautiful place in the world.

“I can’t really want any more.”

Only passed by a couple of old Land Rovers and horses, we talk about how after 16 years of full-time rowing, including 12 months off with a bout of glandular fever, Triggs Hodge is enjoying his family time.

He continued: “I’m combining a new job, full-time, with trying to help out where I can with a little baby, trying to contain the hurricane which is our eldest Sebastian, life is absolutely full on.”

Oxford Mail:

  • TRIPLE WHAMMY: Andy Triggs Hodge with his gold medals at the Black Horse in Checkendon Picture: Damian Halliwell

Some people forget Olympians lead normal lives when they are not breaking records or winning medals.

And as we continue to stroll through the countryside, we began to talk about a change in profession.

A busy couple of months has seen an illustrious rowing career quietly move into the background and Triggs Hodge is now a programme manager at Thames Tideway Tunnel.

“I haven’t really had time to stop and think to be honest,” he said.

“I have had two very clear milestones in my life, the job and the new baby, and that does tend to focus the mind somewhat, doesn’t it?

“To be honest, it all stems from the year off I had in 2014-15 with glandular fever.

“The beginning of it wasn’t great, but once I got my head around what an opportunity it was it became by far in a way the best thing that could have happened to me.

“It was a year off to spend some time on myself, to actually find a job and passion outside of rowing, because rowing was definitely going to end.”

By now we had turned back on ourselves and were slowly making our way back to the house.

Oxford Mail:

  • JOB DONE: Andy Triggs Hodge wins gold at London 2012 and points to his wife and supporters to thank them for their support Picture: Jessica Mann

The former Oxford University student is settled into life away from competitive sport.

He travels to London for work and is enjoying leaving the energy-sapping training sessions behind.

Yes, a busy few months have helped to focus his mind, but a positive mental attitude has assisted in coming to terms with calling time on rowing.

He said: “If I was to focus on all the negative parts of the stuff that happens now – maybe commuting two hours a day or some of the challenges of leaving rowing behind – I could probably paint a very different picture.

“But that is not the way I live life.

“I have got a fantastic future ahead of me, there are so many positives of life at the moment that there is no point focusing on any negatives.

“It is all still fresh and new, maybe one day they will start to override some of this feeling, but at the moment it is all blue sky.”

ANDY Triggs Hodge is delighted to be making full use of his degrees after leaving the world of professional sport behind.

Just under two months after winning a third Olympic gold medal in Rio, the 37-year-old started his new job as a programme manager at Thames Tideway Tunnel.

The Paddington-based company is building a 25km tunnel to prevent sewage being discharged into the River Thames.

Triggs Hodge, from Checkendon, had tied up the job before he helped the Great Britain men’s eight to success in Brazil.

And he is thrilled to be making the most of his degrees after studying environmental science at Staffordshire University and a masters in water science policy at Oxford University.

“I am really pleased I am now back into that area, proving my worth as a non-rower in this world,” he said.

“The company is really good to work with.

“It is actually more similar to the atmosphere in rowing than I thought it would be.”

Triggs Hodge added: “I am in a team of motivated people, I am making use of my degrees and I can see a pathway over the next few years to develop myself, so things are really good.”

That similarity to rowing is evident in the fact the tunnel is expected to be built over seven years.

That defined time period is something Triggs Hodge is used to from his successful rowing career.

He said: “Once it is done it is done, the company expands and everyone moves on, so there is a lot of energy in the team and that is directly reflective of an Olympic cycle.

“We have a clear end point, a clear goal, we have clear measures of success, everyone is motivated to make sure we meet those demands.

“At the moment I am really enjoying not being a rower.”