But their decision to take up rowing - and winning Olympic gold at their first attempt - has sealed their place in British sporting history.
Glover, 26, and Stanning, 27, took victory in the women's pair at Eton Dorney on Wednesday to win the first gold medal for Britain at London 2012.
More remarkably, they become the first British female rowers to achieve the feat since the sport was added to the Olympics in 1976.
Born in Truro, Glover was a cross-country runner and hockey player, competing internationally, before burying her head in books and gaining a teaching qualification.
It wasn't until she heard about Sporting Giants, a scheme to find the Olympians of the future, in 2008 that she stepped into a boat and picked up an oar for the first time. From there, she was chosen for the Great Britain's rowing talent programme, two years after Stanning joined the same initiative, and two years later the dream team was formed.
Stanning, who was born in Yeovil, took a different route, taking up rowing at 19 after her friends suggested she try it because she was tall. Two years later she was on the rowing talent programme but switched her focus to the army, where she was commissioned in 2008.
Four years ago, she decided to focus on rowing, taking a break from the Royal Artillery, and heading back to the water. There she teamed up with Glover and started on the road to London.
The pair narrowly missed out on gold to New Zealand at last year's World Championships, but that defeat was their last as they upped the stroke rate in 2012 to remain unbeaten in all three World Cups.
They were barely mentioned in the build-up to London as three-time Olympic silver medallist Katherine Grainger and her chase for that elusive gold dominated the headlines along with the men's four - Britain's flagship boat - which has won gold in the last three Olympics.
But an Olympic record in the first race of the regatta sparked interest - and their performance in the final in front of a partisan home crowd - was the perfect way to end what could be their last race together.
Before the regatta, Stanning said she would return to the army, with a posting in Afghanistan a possibility. Regardless of whether she sticks to her decision or decides to add to her medal collection, their achievement will forever be engraved on London 2012 - because everyone remembers the first.

The Tories took six seats more than at the last election in 2013 despite a high-profile defeat for council leader John Osman.
Mr Osman lost his Wells seat to former Liberal Democrat MP Tessa Munt by 95 votes.
However, the Lib Dems lost six seats overall compared to 2013.
Election 2017: Full results from across England
Despite the Somerset losses, Ms Munt told BBC Radio Four she thought her party was "in full-on bounce back".
UKIP lost all three of its seats on the council, while Labour retained its three seats.
Along with the remaining 12 Lib Dem councillors, three Independents and two Greens complete the new council.
The Green party took the Frome East and Frome West wards previously held by the Lib Dems.
Following Mr Osman's defeat, deputy council leader David Hall is expected to take on the responsibilities of leader until a full council meeting on 24 May.

The signage on Anderson Street in Merkinch is part of a phase of work in the construction of the city's new flood alleviation scheme.
Local resident Sarah Mackay said: "A no entry sign is a no entry sign, you don't need nine signs to say no entry."
The contractor involved said they were needed for the number of access points.
Another resident, David McCall, said: "Everyone can see the road's closed.
"Why do you need signs taking up the pavement?"
A spokesperson for the contractor McLaughlin and Harvey said the traffic management system was drawn up by another firm and approved by Highland Council.
The spokesperson added: "The reason there are so many signs on that section of Anderson Street is that there are a lot of access points."

The 30-year-old scored four goals in 22 appearances for the Spitfires last season and spent three months on loan at Aldershot Town.
Lafayette has previously had spells with Welling, Woking and Luton Town.
Dover host Boreham Wood in the National League on Tuesday, having begun the 2016-17 season with a 0-0 draw at Wrexham on Saturday.
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.
Four years ago, Helen Glover was an aspiring hockey player and Heather Stanning was embarking on a career in the army.
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The Conservative Party took 35 out of 55 available seats to retain control of Somerset County Council with an increased majority.
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Eight no entry signs and an illuminated road closure sign to mark an Inverness one-way system have been described as unnecessary by people who live there.
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National League side Dover Athletic have signed Ross Lafayette following his departure from Eastleigh.