TPUSA Welcomes its Latest Contributor: Riley Gaines
Turning Point USA is excited to announce its newest contributor, Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer and dedicated women’s rights advocate committed to protecting women’s sports.
Gaines, a 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer, rose to public prominence in 2022 when she competed against transgender-identifying swimmer Lia Thomas. Her experience competing alongside a biological male in women’s sports sparked her advocacy efforts to safeguard women’s sports and allow female athletes to compete in a fair space.
As a contributor for TPUSA, Gaines aims to inspire young women to stand up for themselves. Her advice is simple yet powerful: “Don’t be scared to stand up for yourself and others because courage begets courage. Think independently and challenge authority.” She emphasizes the importance of addressing others respectfully while never allowing anyone to undermine your voice, especially when it comes to age-related assumptions due to young people expressing themselves.
An avid swimmer, Gaines reveals her favorite stroke is the butterfly. “It’s known as ‘the hard one,’ but I found that once you got in a good rhythm, it was easier to maintain form and speed,” she shares, illustrating her commitment to embracing perseverance.
In discussing her personal life, Gaines shares her fondness for Christmas and birthdays. When describing her ideal date night with her husband, she paints a cozy picture of a quiet evening at home. “Since I travel so much, I love a lowkey night at home. We’ll go to the gas station and get a fountain drink. Louis is definitely the better cook between the two of us, so he cooks dinner and we just hang out with all of our animals. Our three 60+ lb dogs knows NO personal boundaries. Louis makes every date feel special no matter how big or small. I’m lucky,” she says.
Gaines’ journey and perspective as a strong, determined woman resonate with the mission of Turning Point USA, as she encourages a new generation to embrace their voices and stand firm in their beliefs. Look forward to seeing Gaines participate in TPUSA events and actively engage with students to inspire and uplift those standing for truth, freedom, and fairness.
