Betting on Himself: From UToledo to the Olympic Stage
Behind the lens on some of the world’s biggest stages, Xavier Gallo ’24 has built a career capturing moments most people only watch from afar.
But that journey did not start with a camera. It started with a setback.
While training for the 2021 cross country season at The University of Toledo, Gallo suffered a stress fracture that sidelined him for weeks. Determined to stay connected to his team, he showed up to practice anyway, just in a different role.
“I still wanted to be part of it,” he said. “So I started coming to practice and taking photos.”
That simple decision would change everything.
Building Something Bigger
A double major in marketing and entrepreneurship and innovation in the John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation, Gallo turned that moment into momentum.
What began as photographing teammates quickly grew into shooting major athletic events and a marketing internship with the Toledo Athletic Department, where he developed his skills in content creation and storytelling.
One turning point was getting involved with the Launchpad student section. Gallo helped grow it from a small group into an organized presence that worked closely with the athletic department, especially around student tailgates and game-day energy.
“People took a chance on me when I was still figuring things out,” he said. “That hands-on experience gave me the confidence to realize this could actually be something.”
Leaning Into Uncertainty
After graduation, Gallo embraced the uncertainty of building a creative career. There was no clear roadmap, just long days, unpaid opportunities and a willingness to say yes before he felt fully ready.
He focused on building relationships and proving himself in every room he entered.
That approach led him to the 2022 Track and Field World Championships, where a single connection would eventually open the door to something bigger.
The Olympics.
The Breakthrough
When Gallo was selected to shoot for Team USA at the Winter Olympics in Milan, it did not feel real.
“They told me the whole weekend had been a test,” he said. “They wanted to see how I handled pressure and worked with the team.”
He passed.
“It was one of those moments where everything hits you at once,” he said. “You realize this is something you have dreamed about, and now it is happening.”
Life Behind the Lens
At the Olympics, there is no typical day.
Gallo was part of a team capturing content in real time, moving quickly between athletes and events as they unfolded. When an athlete medaled, the work continued beyond the podium, through interviews, celebrations and behind-the-scenes interactions.
The days were long, often stretching late into the night with editing before starting again just hours later.
“It is fast-paced,” he said. “But capturing those moments makes it worth it.”
One experience that stood out was working with Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu after her victory in figure skating. Following a full day of media appearances, Gallo captured a more personal side of her story, away from the spotlight.
“It was a reminder that even at that level, athletes are still people,” he said. “You could see how much that moment meant.”
For Gallo, it reinforced what sets great storytelling apart: documenting not just the achievement, but the emotion behind it.
Always Bet on Yourself
Gallo’s advice to students reflects the mindset that shaped his journey.
“Always bet on yourself,” he said. “Put yourself in a position to win.”
For him, that philosophy has always been rooted in action. He remembers staying up late sending dozens of emails in pursuit of his first March Madness opportunity. Most went unanswered. A few were outright rejections. For a time, it felt like nothing was coming together.
Then, at the last minute, one spot became available.
Gallo took it, drove to Indianapolis and made the most of every moment. That single yes led to more connections, more events and a growing body of work that continues to build.
“You never know which opportunity will change everything,” he said.
It is a mindset traced back to his time at UToledo, where he first learned to turn uncertainty and small chances into possibility.
What Comes Next
After the Olympics, Gallo moved straight into another stretch of major events, including his third March Madness and The Masters. Long term, he is focused on growing his creative agency, 2GETHER Creative, and creating opportunities for others.
“I want to give people the same kind of chance that someone gave me,” he said.
From injury to the Olympic stage, Gallo’s journey is a testament to persistence, initiative and believing in what could come next.
At its core, it is a Rocket story.