For Winter Olympian Alex Ianculescu, launching an OnlyFans account was a transformative choice that changed her life.
The decision helped her escape the grind of 5 a.m. training sessions while juggling three part-time jobs and relying on basic meals to stay fueled. Ianculescu, 34, has nearly half a million Instagram followers and ranks in the top 0.06 percent of creators on OnlyFans, which has afforded her the freedom to pursue her athletic ambitions.
Ianculescu has almost half a million followers on Instagram
Ianculescu is in the top 0.06 per cent of creators on OnlyFans
Ianculescu says OnlyFans has given her the freedom to keep chasing her dreams
Now, she's also supporting other athletes in following a similar path. The Romanian-Canadian sportswoman is set to commentate on long-track speed skating at the forthcoming Milano Cortina Games. She is currently training to join the Canadian cycling team for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, even though her athletic career initially began on the ice.
Speed skating has always been a prominent sport for Ianculescu, influenced by her mother, a former Romanian national champion. Reflecting on her early successes, she noted, "I was hooked after winning my first gold medal at 11 years old." While she also excelled at skiing and tennis, her family's financial situation made speed skating the most viable option.
Ianculescu represented Romania in the women's 500-meter race at the 2018 Winter Olympics but faced challenges due to the sport's modest financial rewards. "I worked three part-time jobs. It was super hard," she recalled, explaining her demanding schedule at a sushi store, lululemon, and a restaurant.
Life shifted when she moved from Canada to the Netherlands during the Covid pandemic in 2020. Lacking Dutch language skills and struggling to secure employment, she turned to OnlyFans at a friend's suggestion, finding success as one of the platform's early athletic creators.
The financial benefits it provided have been crucial, especially as she navigates rehabilitation from a back injury while striving to keep her Olympic cycling aspirations alive. "It was the best decision ever," she said, highlighting how the resources gained have allowed her to invest in top-notch equipment and rehab that she previously could only dream of.
