Can You Really Do Both? The OnlyFans Debate Behind One Olympian’s Toughest Decision Yet

Is it possible to chase your dream and fund it on your own terms? Or do you have to pick one path and stick to it?

That’s the question Kurts Adams Rozentals, a British Olympic hopeful, is being forced to face—after Paddle UK suspended him over his presence on OnlyFans.

Rozentals says he turned to the platform to support his Olympic ambitions. The numbers speak for themselves: more than £100,000 earned, over 10,000 likes, and content that’s not only helped fund his athletic training, but also offered him something every athlete needs—financial freedom.

Now, he says he’s being forced to choose between two dreams: his sport and his financial autonomy.

At OnlyTax, we work every day with creators who walk that same line—balancing content creation with careers, goals, families, studies, and more. And if this story proves anything, it’s that this debate is bigger than one man in a canoe.

The OnlyFans Dilemma at the Heart of One Olympian’s Dream

Sport vs. Self-Funding: A Modern Dilemma

Rozentals, who competes in canoe slalom, made it clear: Paddle UK’s £16,000 annual grant simply wasn’t cutting it. “I was sick of worrying how to pay rent,” he told BBC Sport. “Sick of being on the verge of homelessness.”

That’s not a unique story. Many creators on OnlyFans start not for fame, but for survival—or at least stability. The platform has become a means of:

• Paying bills

• Covering tuition or medical costs

• Funding side projects or full-blown businesses

• Supporting artistic, athletic, or academic goals

In Rozentals’ case, it was a direct pipeline to his Olympic dream. But even with massive traction and financial success, his choice to monetise his image became the problem.

What This Means for Creators

For creators using OnlyFans to support “real-world” ambitions, Rozentals’ story is both inspiring—and frustrating. It highlights a growing question:

Can you build a personal brand on a platform like OnlyFans and still be taken seriously in more traditional sectors?

The creator economy is redefining what’s “professional” every day. But as Rozentals’ case shows, the world isn’t fully caught up yet.

If you’ve ever felt the pressure to hide your content from employers, family, or future opportunities—you’re not alone. But stories like this also remind us of the power of the creator space: people are building careers, paying off debt, and chasing dreams with full independence.

The Tax Side: What Creators Should Keep in Mind

Whether you’re an athlete, artist, office worker or influencer, your content income is still income—and it needs to be handled properly.

Here’s what we recommend at OnlyTax:

✅ Keep It Legit:

• Register as self-employed with HMRC

• Track all income, even if it’s casual or side hustle-related

• Set aside at least 20-30% of earnings for tax time

✅ Know What You Can Claim:

Rozentals mentioned travel, rent, and equipment—these are all potential business expenses. For content creators, that might also include:

• Camera gear

• Lighting

• Costumes/outfits

• Editing software

• Phone bills

• Internet

And yes—even gym memberships or beauty treatments could count, if they directly relate to your content.

✅ Protect Your Future:

Creators like Rozentals are building serious income streams—but without pensions, sick pay, or financial buffers. A good accountant (👋 hello!) can help:

• Set up your taxes correctly

• Prepare for future lending/mortgages

• Build long-term strategies for savings, retirement, and investments

So, Can You Do Both?

We say: yes.

But it might mean rewriting the rules.

Rozentals’ situation shows that the biggest challenge isn’t choosing between passion and platform—it’s the outside world’s reaction to that choice.

For creators who use OnlyFans to fund their future, this is a wake-up call: the path may not always be smooth—but it’s yours to walk.

And with the right support, you really can do both.

Need Help Managing Your Creator Income?

At OnlyTax, we specialise in helping OnlyFans creators handle their tax, grow their business, and protect their income—judgment-free, jargon-free, and fully confidential.

📥 Book your free consultation and let’s talk about how to support both your content and your goals.