1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,320 Speaker 1: But next guess is the fastest American woman in the 2 00:00:02,480 --> 00:00:05,160 Speaker 1: history at four hundred meters Right there. You know that's 3 00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:07,640 Speaker 1: something I can't do. Male or female. I can never 4 00:00:07,680 --> 00:00:10,480 Speaker 1: be the fastest. I cannot be the fastest talker the 5 00:00:10,520 --> 00:00:13,560 Speaker 1: fastest either. I definitely could not be the fastest person 6 00:00:13,560 --> 00:00:16,560 Speaker 1: on the track. She is a Jamaican American former track 7 00:00:16,600 --> 00:00:20,400 Speaker 1: and field athlete who completed Internet who competed internationally for 8 00:00:20,440 --> 00:00:24,279 Speaker 1: the United States. In addition to a track browers, she's 9 00:00:24,320 --> 00:00:28,760 Speaker 1: also an entrepreneur, TV personality, public speaker, and humanitarian. She's 10 00:00:28,800 --> 00:00:32,000 Speaker 1: the founder of the Sunya Richards Ross Fast Track Program 11 00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:35,720 Speaker 1: and Kingston, Jamaica, which has provided over seven hundred children 12 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:41,120 Speaker 1: with literacy training, physical education, physical education and healthy meals. 13 00:00:41,120 --> 00:00:44,199 Speaker 1: The key is the healthy meal. A sports clinics, we 14 00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:47,480 Speaker 1: educate and power and provide youth with tools and strategies 15 00:00:47,479 --> 00:00:50,159 Speaker 1: to excel both on and off the track. Please welcome 16 00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:53,000 Speaker 1: to money making Conversations, my good friend. I'm calling my 17 00:00:53,080 --> 00:00:56,840 Speaker 1: friend because she's doing things in life that I respect. 18 00:00:57,200 --> 00:01:01,560 Speaker 1: Sonya Richards Ross, Oh, thank you so much for Sean. 19 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:04,000 Speaker 1: Thanks for having me. I'm so excited to have this 20 00:01:04,120 --> 00:01:07,319 Speaker 1: conversation with you. I heard a bunch of the conversations 21 00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:09,880 Speaker 1: you've had and also followed you. So thanks for having me. Well, 22 00:01:09,920 --> 00:01:12,319 Speaker 1: first of all, where are you at right now? We're 23 00:01:12,360 --> 00:01:14,520 Speaker 1: part of the country of the world, the state were here, 24 00:01:14,600 --> 00:01:18,720 Speaker 1: so we can just landmark that first. So I'm in Austin, Texas. 25 00:01:18,840 --> 00:01:21,000 Speaker 1: This is where I live. I've been here since I 26 00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:24,160 Speaker 1: came to the University of Texas for college. So I 27 00:01:24,200 --> 00:01:27,319 Speaker 1: am home in Austin, Texas. Now, you but you do 28 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:30,600 Speaker 1: your your but your foundation, your clinic is in Kingston, Jamaica. Correct, 29 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:34,400 Speaker 1: that's right, Okay, do you do you do? You do 30 00:01:34,440 --> 00:01:36,760 Speaker 1: the same thing in Austin, Texas where your home or 31 00:01:36,800 --> 00:01:39,319 Speaker 1: you feel there's a need for it in in Jamaica. 32 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:42,840 Speaker 1: Well no, So my husband and I do clinics. F 33 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:45,600 Speaker 1: done clinics all over the country, but the main clinic 34 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:47,760 Speaker 1: that I started in I guess that was two thousand 35 00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:51,360 Speaker 1: and nine in Kingston, Jamaica. I'm from Jamaica, like you 36 00:01:51,400 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 1: mentioned the top of the show, and one of the 37 00:01:53,760 --> 00:01:56,200 Speaker 1: things that really pulled that my heart string was when 38 00:01:56,240 --> 00:01:58,320 Speaker 1: I was traveling aloud and I would compete in Jamaica 39 00:01:58,400 --> 00:02:01,280 Speaker 1: every year. I started to here that in literacy was 40 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:03,720 Speaker 1: rising in my country, and one of the things I 41 00:02:03,760 --> 00:02:06,320 Speaker 1: always is so proud of was the education I received 42 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:09,200 Speaker 1: in Jamaica and so um, as you can imagine, money 43 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:12,120 Speaker 1: goes a lot further in a third world country like Jamaica, 44 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:13,960 Speaker 1: and so I just put some money and I got 45 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:15,920 Speaker 1: a bunch of other friends to help me and some 46 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:18,640 Speaker 1: other great organizations to support us, and we were able 47 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:21,520 Speaker 1: to start a really significant program there. So um the 48 00:02:21,520 --> 00:02:23,480 Speaker 1: one in Jamaica was the biggest one. And then we've 49 00:02:23,480 --> 00:02:26,240 Speaker 1: done my husband as football camps in Tyler, Texas, San Antonio. 50 00:02:26,240 --> 00:02:29,360 Speaker 1: I've done a camp in Florida. But the one that 51 00:02:29,400 --> 00:02:32,000 Speaker 1: I had the most staying power and the most longevity 52 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:35,720 Speaker 1: was our camp in Kings of Jamaica. Great. I was 53 00:02:35,760 --> 00:02:39,040 Speaker 1: just in Jamaica vacation. That was at the half more result. 54 00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:41,600 Speaker 1: You know some one of my favorites. You know, you 55 00:02:41,720 --> 00:02:43,639 Speaker 1: got me some good foods, you know them to say 56 00:02:43,720 --> 00:02:52,120 Speaker 1: it's some good yes, yes girl. And so I had 57 00:02:52,160 --> 00:02:53,840 Speaker 1: a good time. So I just got back. So it's 58 00:02:53,880 --> 00:02:56,040 Speaker 1: really great talking about it. Here's my number one question. 59 00:02:56,080 --> 00:03:00,160 Speaker 1: Do you when does an athlete stop being an athlete? Oh? Oh, 60 00:03:01,040 --> 00:03:03,280 Speaker 1: that is a really good question. You know, you get 61 00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:05,280 Speaker 1: interviewed all the time, and you're always like, oh, that's 62 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:07,919 Speaker 1: gonna be the same questions. No one has ever asked 63 00:03:07,919 --> 00:03:11,200 Speaker 1: me that, And um, you know, I think the answer 64 00:03:11,240 --> 00:03:13,480 Speaker 1: to that rhot is you never do. You never do. 65 00:03:13,600 --> 00:03:16,640 Speaker 1: I think that being an athlete is so much more 66 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:19,160 Speaker 1: than it's running on a track or drinking of basketball. 67 00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:21,600 Speaker 1: I think it's a lifestyle and um, and so I 68 00:03:21,919 --> 00:03:24,040 Speaker 1: feel like I'm still an athlete today, you know, whether 69 00:03:24,160 --> 00:03:26,240 Speaker 1: it's being a mom or an entrepreneur some of the 70 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:28,880 Speaker 1: other things that I do. I have carried so many 71 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:31,680 Speaker 1: of the lessons and experiences that I've learned from sports, 72 00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:35,240 Speaker 1: and so I still feel like an athlete right now. Well, 73 00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 1: you know the things I always admired buy track athletes. 74 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:41,720 Speaker 1: That's the fast track athletes, which those ads. You know, 75 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:46,080 Speaker 1: oh my god, the six pack, the fourteen packs, the 76 00:03:46,120 --> 00:03:50,080 Speaker 1: thirty packs, because is it because of the lifting those knees, 77 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:52,960 Speaker 1: those legs and at the rapid rade you kind of 78 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:55,960 Speaker 1: like doing those those stomach crunches and everything when you're 79 00:03:55,960 --> 00:03:58,280 Speaker 1: flying around that track, because you know that y'all just 80 00:03:58,320 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 1: be show both with the with the a well, you know, 81 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:03,640 Speaker 1: it's it's it's a little bit of both. Were Sean like, 82 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:07,320 Speaker 1: of course running every day and the movements that we do. 83 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:10,240 Speaker 1: But I actually did a thousand sit ups every day, 84 00:04:10,280 --> 00:04:13,280 Speaker 1: five days a week for the majority of my career. Um, 85 00:04:13,480 --> 00:04:16,200 Speaker 1: so those apps were not only, I guess beautiful, but 86 00:04:16,240 --> 00:04:19,640 Speaker 1: they were very functional because the four hundred uh like 87 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:22,159 Speaker 1: you mentioned that was my expertise in the American record 88 00:04:22,160 --> 00:04:27,680 Speaker 1: holder painful exactly, and in order to run the final hundred, well, 89 00:04:27,720 --> 00:04:30,159 Speaker 1: you really need to have a strong course. So I 90 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:32,240 Speaker 1: did a lot of training to to get those six 91 00:04:32,320 --> 00:04:36,520 Speaker 1: pack apps that I missed them. Okay, wait, wait, wait, wait, 92 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:38,680 Speaker 1: you just said that athlete has never stopped. Okay, you're 93 00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:42,080 Speaker 1: talking about you. You're slipping there. Let people talk. What 94 00:04:42,120 --> 00:04:45,719 Speaker 1: do you hit right there? But banana banana splits and everything? 95 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:51,760 Speaker 1: A thousand? You did? A thousand was the leg raises 96 00:04:51,920 --> 00:04:54,560 Speaker 1: or you know to some people cheat when they say 97 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:58,520 Speaker 1: a thousand sit ups? Would you the locked fingers behind 98 00:04:58,560 --> 00:05:00,880 Speaker 1: the head sit up with have a say what you do? 99 00:05:01,680 --> 00:05:04,080 Speaker 1: I was doing all kinds of we called. We would say, 100 00:05:04,120 --> 00:05:06,320 Speaker 1: I would the same core exercises, I would do the 101 00:05:06,360 --> 00:05:09,000 Speaker 1: traditional core, we would do weighted core. Who would be 102 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:13,280 Speaker 1: planking time time to core? Said ball core physio ball 103 00:05:13,320 --> 00:05:16,599 Speaker 1: core and all kinds of different core exercises, focusing on 104 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:18,120 Speaker 1: the front core. I don't feel the back. A lot 105 00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:19,760 Speaker 1: of people forget that your back is a part of 106 00:05:19,800 --> 00:05:22,160 Speaker 1: your core, that quite of your stability. I do a 107 00:05:22,160 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 1: lot of core training on my back as well. You know, 108 00:05:24,440 --> 00:05:26,599 Speaker 1: it's really interesting when I when I look at athletes 109 00:05:26,640 --> 00:05:29,599 Speaker 1: and who are as accomplished as you. You know, because 110 00:05:29,640 --> 00:05:31,680 Speaker 1: of the fact that you know there are, you can 111 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:34,080 Speaker 1: look at different things that become seasonal. It is there's 112 00:05:34,080 --> 00:05:38,479 Speaker 1: such a thing that's a seasonal period for a track athlete. No, 113 00:05:38,640 --> 00:05:41,880 Speaker 1: I mean, I feel like we don't train year round. 114 00:05:41,880 --> 00:05:44,520 Speaker 1: When I was training competitively, I would take four to 115 00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:47,800 Speaker 1: six weeks off every year. But even that time, even 116 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:50,120 Speaker 1: though yes I wasn't running or in the gym, I 117 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:52,400 Speaker 1: was still operating like a high level athlete. So I'm 118 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:55,120 Speaker 1: still trying to eat well and resting well and still 119 00:05:55,160 --> 00:05:57,200 Speaker 1: taking care of my body. So I don't think there's 120 00:05:57,240 --> 00:06:01,120 Speaker 1: anything as a seasonally professional athlete. I think that, Um, 121 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:04,080 Speaker 1: if you really profession a professional athlete, it's uh, you know, 122 00:06:04,120 --> 00:06:06,280 Speaker 1: it's a year round tip it man, uh, and you're 123 00:06:06,320 --> 00:06:08,880 Speaker 1: always thinking about trying to get the best out of 124 00:06:08,880 --> 00:06:11,520 Speaker 1: your body, even in the all seasons. Well, you know 125 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:13,200 Speaker 1: because of the fact that, you know, when I think 126 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:15,640 Speaker 1: about just trying to be in shape, I'm gonna tell 127 00:06:15,640 --> 00:06:18,840 Speaker 1: you something, I'm the worst person you hang out with me. Um, 128 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:22,120 Speaker 1: you really be going rishan ridiculous the way you are, 129 00:06:22,920 --> 00:06:24,520 Speaker 1: you know, because I fool people. You know, I look 130 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:26,840 Speaker 1: like I'm in shape and then you go, yes, you 131 00:06:27,400 --> 00:06:32,239 Speaker 1: really desserts before you eat your meals. Yeah, so stop 132 00:06:32,279 --> 00:06:34,240 Speaker 1: looking at me like I'm crazy, because that's gonna happen 133 00:06:34,279 --> 00:06:37,239 Speaker 1: all the time. And so do you do you train people? 134 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:39,120 Speaker 1: Or do you do you do people? Could people come 135 00:06:39,120 --> 00:06:41,120 Speaker 1: to you? I'm sure you know, because I've looked at 136 00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:43,760 Speaker 1: the resume, But what what do you do when people 137 00:06:43,839 --> 00:06:46,479 Speaker 1: ask for training, advice or or just look at you? 138 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:49,200 Speaker 1: They said, well, oh, you know, Jamerica, you know just 139 00:06:49,279 --> 00:06:52,520 Speaker 1: God given you know, I just I do my thousands 140 00:06:52,560 --> 00:06:57,240 Speaker 1: set ups, I've got fast feats, this is my life. Yeah, 141 00:06:57,520 --> 00:06:59,919 Speaker 1: because people just assumed that you just were giving it, 142 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:02,280 Speaker 1: you know, and that's that's an insult to what you 143 00:07:02,640 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 1: have achieved as an athlete. Correct. Oh yeah, I mean 144 00:07:06,720 --> 00:07:09,880 Speaker 1: the god given challenge is just the basis um and 145 00:07:09,920 --> 00:07:12,000 Speaker 1: the foundation that you have to build on if you 146 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:14,120 Speaker 1: want to be a great athlete. And so I was 147 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:18,320 Speaker 1: definitely boring and gifted with uh with speed, but I 148 00:07:18,360 --> 00:07:21,360 Speaker 1: mean too many hours and work and commitment to be 149 00:07:21,400 --> 00:07:23,920 Speaker 1: able to be the best in the world. And you 150 00:07:24,040 --> 00:07:26,679 Speaker 1: also asked if I coach other athletes and stuff, and 151 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:29,240 Speaker 1: you know, I'm so grateful for be a maybe coaches 152 00:07:29,280 --> 00:07:31,600 Speaker 1: I've had my entire career, but I am not cut 153 00:07:31,600 --> 00:07:35,800 Speaker 1: out to be a couch. Yeah. But but what of 154 00:07:35,840 --> 00:07:37,640 Speaker 1: the things I do love and I'm really passionate about 155 00:07:37,640 --> 00:07:40,960 Speaker 1: is mentoring young athletes. And so never athletes reach out 156 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:42,840 Speaker 1: to me or any athlete that's kind of been in 157 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:46,080 Speaker 1: my sphere, whether here in Austin, the you t asking, 158 00:07:46,200 --> 00:07:49,200 Speaker 1: so some of the young professionals, I'm always excited about 159 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:52,640 Speaker 1: helping to mentor them to guide them through that transition 160 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:55,640 Speaker 1: from the collegiate ranks into the professional ranks. So I 161 00:07:55,640 --> 00:07:58,440 Speaker 1: don't coach athletes. And if athletes young athletes reach out 162 00:07:58,480 --> 00:08:00,240 Speaker 1: to the social media or d M men all try 163 00:08:00,280 --> 00:08:03,280 Speaker 1: to send them encouragement or something I feel I could 164 00:08:03,280 --> 00:08:05,000 Speaker 1: share that might help to get over the hunt. But 165 00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:07,520 Speaker 1: as far as coaching, I don't think that's something I 166 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:11,960 Speaker 1: never say never, but in future absolutely. But you know 167 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:13,960 Speaker 1: the thing about it, and we're we're in the era 168 00:08:14,120 --> 00:08:17,440 Speaker 1: of you know, social media posts and a lot of 169 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:21,400 Speaker 1: time body shaming takes over with rich when your your 170 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:24,680 Speaker 1: your your world class athlete, you know, and you had 171 00:08:24,680 --> 00:08:27,200 Speaker 1: a child, you have a child. Excuse me a policy 172 00:08:27,440 --> 00:08:30,240 Speaker 1: saying that because you have to make a decision you 173 00:08:30,240 --> 00:08:33,160 Speaker 1: know about that, you know, because could I come back? 174 00:08:33,640 --> 00:08:36,439 Speaker 1: You know, am I risking my future? Well? What what? 175 00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:39,960 Speaker 1: What went into your mindset as a world class athlete 176 00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:44,400 Speaker 1: and the expectations, all the planning process of becoming them all. 177 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:49,200 Speaker 1: It's a great question. So, um, you know, ultimately I 178 00:08:49,280 --> 00:08:52,120 Speaker 1: decided that I wanted my career to be over before 179 00:08:52,120 --> 00:08:55,400 Speaker 1: I had a child because I think, guys, and I've 180 00:08:55,440 --> 00:08:57,720 Speaker 1: said this before, being an asked is one of the 181 00:08:57,760 --> 00:09:01,079 Speaker 1: most selfish things that you can do. You're constantly thinking 182 00:09:01,080 --> 00:09:03,920 Speaker 1: about yourself. You have to always put your knees first, 183 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:06,400 Speaker 1: and becoming a mom and being a mother is a 184 00:09:06,440 --> 00:09:09,199 Speaker 1: complete opposite of that. You have to be so unselfish 185 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:11,400 Speaker 1: and it's all about putting someone else first. And so 186 00:09:11,880 --> 00:09:14,760 Speaker 1: I actually retired from the sport before I have my son. 187 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:17,480 Speaker 1: I retired in two thousands sixteen and then my husband 188 00:09:17,559 --> 00:09:19,920 Speaker 1: I you know, actively try to have a child, and 189 00:09:20,280 --> 00:09:22,959 Speaker 1: I had my son in twenty seventeen. So for me, 190 00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:25,280 Speaker 1: it was always you know, my desire was to finish 191 00:09:25,280 --> 00:09:28,319 Speaker 1: my career, um, get all of my goals and complished 192 00:09:28,480 --> 00:09:31,480 Speaker 1: first and then transitioned to being a mom, which has 193 00:09:31,520 --> 00:09:34,920 Speaker 1: been just the best, best, best role. And you know, 194 00:09:34,960 --> 00:09:38,240 Speaker 1: my greatest accomplishment by far, you know, it's my little boy. 195 00:09:38,800 --> 00:09:42,840 Speaker 1: That's amazing. We're speaking to the amazing uh Sonya Richards 196 00:09:42,920 --> 00:09:47,079 Speaker 1: ross Um. She's the fastest American woman in the four hundreds. 197 00:09:47,160 --> 00:09:49,000 Speaker 1: And I'm gonna just tell you that that that's one 198 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:52,520 Speaker 1: time around the track. Correct, Yes, that's one lap around. Okay, 199 00:09:52,640 --> 00:09:54,760 Speaker 1: just right there, you know, because you know, just just 200 00:09:54,840 --> 00:09:56,760 Speaker 1: trying to get around that track because you have the 201 00:09:56,760 --> 00:09:58,959 Speaker 1: the one hundred. You know, that's a sprint. The two 202 00:09:59,640 --> 00:10:01,520 Speaker 1: you may and up for that when you go that 203 00:10:01,559 --> 00:10:05,560 Speaker 1: pro budget that's two hundred twice just gives people bad 204 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:07,200 Speaker 1: with math, you know what it means. It means that 205 00:10:07,559 --> 00:10:11,760 Speaker 1: two hundred twice. But maintaining speed through two hundred twice, 206 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:13,760 Speaker 1: that's a that's a gut rich and we are we 207 00:10:13,800 --> 00:10:16,240 Speaker 1: have more. We're gonna talk to her more about momination 208 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:19,119 Speaker 1: three books. Uh, it's amazing when I talk to individuals 209 00:10:19,160 --> 00:10:22,319 Speaker 1: like her that are so natural about how they life 210 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:24,720 Speaker 1: brings them success, and then they're willing to share it 211 00:10:24,760 --> 00:10:27,000 Speaker 1: and admit that. You know, that's something I wouldn't do. 212 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:29,079 Speaker 1: That's just not me. I'm not a coach. Well, guess what. 213 00:10:29,240 --> 00:10:30,880 Speaker 1: I'm not a coach either. I'm not a track star. 214 00:10:31,040 --> 00:10:32,560 Speaker 1: But what I can do is talk. And I have 215 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:34,679 Speaker 1: a great guest on the show. We'll be right back 216 00:10:34,679 --> 00:10:38,559 Speaker 1: with more money making Conversations. I just ra Sean McDonald 217 00:10:38,559 --> 00:10:41,080 Speaker 1: and you're listening to money making conversations. Money Making Conversations 218 00:10:41,200 --> 00:10:43,800 Speaker 1: is your show? That's right. I'm pointing, but I know 219 00:10:44,040 --> 00:10:45,599 Speaker 1: no one can see me pointing. But I got a 220 00:10:45,679 --> 00:10:49,400 Speaker 1: point to emphasize my point that the show can make 221 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:51,760 Speaker 1: a difference in your life if you just listen and 222 00:10:51,840 --> 00:10:55,160 Speaker 1: you have an open mind about how you're trying, uh, 223 00:10:55,920 --> 00:10:59,400 Speaker 1: dealing with the different journeys that come before you. When 224 00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:01,560 Speaker 1: you're trying a different path, I should say, that's what 225 00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:04,000 Speaker 1: I'm trying to get, the different paths that you need 226 00:11:04,040 --> 00:11:07,360 Speaker 1: to overcome or to accomplish to be successful. She has 227 00:11:07,400 --> 00:11:10,840 Speaker 1: a Jamaican American former track and field athlete. He's a mom. 228 00:11:11,160 --> 00:11:14,280 Speaker 1: She waited till after she accomplished everything she felt in 229 00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:17,120 Speaker 1: the track field and say hey, it's time we can 230 00:11:17,240 --> 00:11:20,280 Speaker 1: do some Another great accomplished in my life. She lives 231 00:11:20,280 --> 00:11:23,400 Speaker 1: in Austin and um doing her thing, and she does. 232 00:11:23,480 --> 00:11:25,680 Speaker 1: She's written three books. But I want to talk before 233 00:11:25,679 --> 00:11:28,480 Speaker 1: we get to the three books. UM tell me about 234 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:33,480 Speaker 1: Mommy Nation of course. So Mommy Nation is a blog 235 00:11:33,559 --> 00:11:39,079 Speaker 1: platform and community focused on supporting African American moms navigate 236 00:11:39,160 --> 00:11:43,760 Speaker 1: through motherhood with more confidence. So we write incredibly honest, 237 00:11:43,920 --> 00:11:49,040 Speaker 1: raw and real blogs about our experiences as one. There's wife, entrepreneurs, 238 00:11:49,040 --> 00:11:52,560 Speaker 1: just experiences that we're having and it has been incredible. 239 00:11:53,040 --> 00:11:54,480 Speaker 1: One of the things I think you asked me on 240 00:11:54,520 --> 00:11:56,000 Speaker 1: the top of the show when you asked if I 241 00:11:56,040 --> 00:11:58,800 Speaker 1: ever stopped being an athlete, and this is one way 242 00:11:58,800 --> 00:12:00,800 Speaker 1: I feel like I haven't. I think what one of 243 00:12:00,840 --> 00:12:03,120 Speaker 1: the things that made me a great athlete was the 244 00:12:03,160 --> 00:12:06,000 Speaker 1: incredible support system I had. I had a phenomenal coach 245 00:12:06,040 --> 00:12:10,319 Speaker 1: and great sports psychologists and agents and managers. And so 246 00:12:10,440 --> 00:12:13,360 Speaker 1: when I became a mom, although of course you're bring 247 00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:15,760 Speaker 1: out the human into the world, and you have this companion. 248 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:18,960 Speaker 1: It does sometimes feel like you're alone with your experiences, 249 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:21,280 Speaker 1: and so I wanted to create a space where we 250 00:12:21,280 --> 00:12:24,800 Speaker 1: could be in community, feel supported. And every day when 251 00:12:24,800 --> 00:12:26,520 Speaker 1: I read the blog here, someone reaches on to me 252 00:12:26,600 --> 00:12:28,520 Speaker 1: and says, man, you don't know how my sisters helped me. 253 00:12:28,559 --> 00:12:30,960 Speaker 1: I feel like I'm kind of still serving that purpose 254 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:33,200 Speaker 1: of being community and supporting other people. So it's just 255 00:12:33,240 --> 00:12:36,000 Speaker 1: been amazing. Well, you're just really important. I have six sisters, 256 00:12:36,040 --> 00:12:40,719 Speaker 1: so a lot of nieces and nephews, and a lot 257 00:12:40,760 --> 00:12:45,240 Speaker 1: of people don't understand that the importance of a relationship 258 00:12:45,640 --> 00:12:49,640 Speaker 1: in uh motherhood uh a little bit because you you 259 00:12:50,040 --> 00:12:53,040 Speaker 1: just automatically. Because first of all, having a child changes 260 00:12:53,080 --> 00:12:56,560 Speaker 1: your life. There's a responsibility that only you can understand 261 00:12:56,600 --> 00:12:59,280 Speaker 1: as a as a man, I can respect it, but 262 00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:03,840 Speaker 1: it's you care that child maximum of nine months some 263 00:13:03,960 --> 00:13:06,960 Speaker 1: child to do all delivered earlier, and so that means 264 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:09,400 Speaker 1: that that's a that's a worry. You know, I know 265 00:13:09,520 --> 00:13:11,960 Speaker 1: my wife, you know, you know when she carried out y'all, 266 00:13:12,320 --> 00:13:14,160 Speaker 1: you know, it's certain things. After what she says, she 267 00:13:14,200 --> 00:13:17,160 Speaker 1: prayed every day, you know, she was worried. Worried. That's 268 00:13:17,160 --> 00:13:20,400 Speaker 1: that's a that's that's that's a lot to carry, and 269 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:22,840 Speaker 1: so I can understand why you're doing Mommy Nation. Can 270 00:13:22,880 --> 00:13:26,240 Speaker 1: you expand on that a little bit? Absolutely, Like you said, 271 00:13:26,280 --> 00:13:29,720 Speaker 1: becoming a mom change in your life. Um, you feel 272 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:32,520 Speaker 1: like things that were important before are no longer important. 273 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:35,079 Speaker 1: You talk about your wife, praying for your kids all 274 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:37,800 Speaker 1: the time. There's just so much that happens in your 275 00:13:37,800 --> 00:13:40,320 Speaker 1: life when you become a mom. And the truth is, 276 00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:43,000 Speaker 1: obviously God willing, you have your own mom who might 277 00:13:43,040 --> 00:13:45,440 Speaker 1: still be able to guide you. In my case, my 278 00:13:45,520 --> 00:13:48,319 Speaker 1: sister had also become a mom. But the truth is 279 00:13:48,320 --> 00:13:50,680 Speaker 1: is that many of us are having so many different 280 00:13:50,679 --> 00:13:53,839 Speaker 1: experiences that my sister and I could be new moms 281 00:13:53,880 --> 00:13:56,280 Speaker 1: together and our experiences are still so different. And so 282 00:13:56,720 --> 00:13:58,720 Speaker 1: with Mommy Nation. And what I love the most is 283 00:13:58,760 --> 00:14:01,920 Speaker 1: that we have moms all over We have moms who 284 00:14:02,000 --> 00:14:04,760 Speaker 1: are single moms, working mom moms of six. I have 285 00:14:05,280 --> 00:14:08,440 Speaker 1: um you know, divorced moms, newly married moms. We have 286 00:14:08,520 --> 00:14:11,679 Speaker 1: fitness moms, fashion moms, just moms who have all different 287 00:14:11,760 --> 00:14:14,559 Speaker 1: kinds of interest, who live all over the country, and 288 00:14:14,559 --> 00:14:16,600 Speaker 1: when we can, we're connected based on the fact that 289 00:14:16,640 --> 00:14:18,640 Speaker 1: we're mothers who love kids, and want to see our 290 00:14:18,720 --> 00:14:22,120 Speaker 1: kids thrive. So it's just incredible to see everything that 291 00:14:22,160 --> 00:14:25,200 Speaker 1: has come out of our community so far, and all 292 00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:27,680 Speaker 1: the things that we're excited about possibly doing in the future, 293 00:14:27,760 --> 00:14:30,200 Speaker 1: and and just being connected. We had our first events 294 00:14:30,200 --> 00:14:32,480 Speaker 1: in Atlanta last week and it was about ten of 295 00:14:32,560 --> 00:14:34,200 Speaker 1: us that were able to come to this event, and 296 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:37,280 Speaker 1: I tell you, we just had the best time, laughing 297 00:14:37,280 --> 00:14:39,920 Speaker 1: and talking about our experiences and sharing with each other, 298 00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:41,920 Speaker 1: and it just makes you feel like, you know, Okay, 299 00:14:41,920 --> 00:14:45,600 Speaker 1: this is normal, I can get through this. Wow, that's beautiful. 300 00:14:46,280 --> 00:14:49,120 Speaker 1: I'm gonna first of all, I'm very impressed with you. 301 00:14:49,680 --> 00:14:56,080 Speaker 1: Just you your range of thought. Are their plans for 302 00:14:56,160 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 1: TV expanding your participation in in front of the camera 303 00:15:00,040 --> 00:15:02,440 Speaker 1: just it just seems like the natural lane for you. 304 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:04,360 Speaker 1: Are not gonna ask that because you know, I've seen 305 00:15:04,440 --> 00:15:07,080 Speaker 1: enough talent in front of a camera to know that 306 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:09,280 Speaker 1: that's a skill that you can be, that you can 307 00:15:09,280 --> 00:15:11,840 Speaker 1: do very well. Can you expound on that opportunity, those 308 00:15:11,840 --> 00:15:15,320 Speaker 1: opportunities for us, Yes, yes, we're Sean. Thanks for asking. 309 00:15:15,400 --> 00:15:18,800 Speaker 1: So I currently do sports broadcasting for NBC, so I 310 00:15:18,880 --> 00:15:21,400 Speaker 1: call all the major track and feel me for NBC. 311 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:24,120 Speaker 1: But I'm so excited that I'm working on a new 312 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:27,240 Speaker 1: project with deep Mark Mercury and Will Packer. It's gonna 313 00:15:27,240 --> 00:15:30,280 Speaker 1: be an entertainment news show that we will be filming 314 00:15:30,280 --> 00:15:33,440 Speaker 1: in Atlanta and will air November four. We have a 315 00:15:33,440 --> 00:15:36,440 Speaker 1: five week test. Uh, it's gonna be on Fox. So 316 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:39,200 Speaker 1: God willing that goes well. I'm co hosting it with 317 00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:42,560 Speaker 1: Julisa Bermudez and if it goes well, we'll have our 318 00:15:42,600 --> 00:15:47,240 Speaker 1: own show in on TV every day. Really be calling it. 319 00:15:47,360 --> 00:15:50,680 Speaker 1: I'll be calling it, man. I take. What it really 320 00:15:50,680 --> 00:15:54,160 Speaker 1: excites me about that conversation is that is beyond track 321 00:15:54,200 --> 00:15:56,840 Speaker 1: and field, because track and field, you know, you know, 322 00:15:56,920 --> 00:15:59,880 Speaker 1: it's it's it's it's don't take anything I'm saying negative. 323 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:04,960 Speaker 1: It can limit your exposure because people say field, well, 324 00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:07,000 Speaker 1: you know and and and so it's not the big 325 00:16:07,560 --> 00:16:10,960 Speaker 1: ratings grabber for television. You know, I like basketball and 326 00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:14,400 Speaker 1: I like football and soccer. So you can like be 327 00:16:14,520 --> 00:16:17,000 Speaker 1: so talented as I see and hear that you are, 328 00:16:17,720 --> 00:16:19,400 Speaker 1: to see you getting this opportunity. Now, when are you 329 00:16:19,400 --> 00:16:21,520 Speaker 1: coming into Atlanta? So you know this is what I'm based. 330 00:16:22,040 --> 00:16:25,200 Speaker 1: I love the you know, hang out what you're going 331 00:16:25,400 --> 00:16:27,720 Speaker 1: talk and just talk about your career. You know, I'm 332 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:32,640 Speaker 1: always looking for new talent and everything you'm saying, I'll 333 00:16:32,680 --> 00:16:36,080 Speaker 1: be there in October, So we start selling November for us, 334 00:16:36,120 --> 00:16:37,960 Speaker 1: our producers want us to be there at least two 335 00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:41,880 Speaker 1: weeks before we started, like late October. I would love 336 00:16:41,920 --> 00:16:45,840 Speaker 1: to connect with you that absolutely, absolutely, because I'm just 337 00:16:45,880 --> 00:16:48,680 Speaker 1: hearing it. I'm hearing uh start potential in your voice 338 00:16:48,720 --> 00:16:50,520 Speaker 1: and the fact that you I'm telling you this, This 339 00:16:50,520 --> 00:16:52,560 Speaker 1: would always tell people that a lot of people want 340 00:16:52,560 --> 00:16:55,520 Speaker 1: to do television. A lot of people want, but it's 341 00:16:55,600 --> 00:16:58,880 Speaker 1: what life that you have lived or currently living, because 342 00:16:58,920 --> 00:17:02,720 Speaker 1: you know, you know, your your mom, you know, and 343 00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:04,760 Speaker 1: we all know. As an athlete or I have to 344 00:17:04,760 --> 00:17:07,920 Speaker 1: say it, whether it's professional or a highway trained Olympic athlete, 345 00:17:08,080 --> 00:17:09,840 Speaker 1: there's a certain amount of discipline that you gotta have 346 00:17:09,920 --> 00:17:12,440 Speaker 1: for that. Yeah, I'm sorry. On the down days, you 347 00:17:12,480 --> 00:17:14,920 Speaker 1: still gotta be up. On the updates, you gotta be up, earl. 348 00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:17,480 Speaker 1: And then the fact that you're giving back, you're giving 349 00:17:17,520 --> 00:17:19,880 Speaker 1: back even forgot where you came from and you still 350 00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:22,280 Speaker 1: want to contribute. And then the fact of vomby nation, 351 00:17:22,359 --> 00:17:25,480 Speaker 1: so that gives you like a three sixty conversation base 352 00:17:25,480 --> 00:17:28,000 Speaker 1: you're not tied to just being a track star, and 353 00:17:28,040 --> 00:17:31,240 Speaker 1: that's really important. But I forgot also your wife, and 354 00:17:31,280 --> 00:17:33,880 Speaker 1: so that experience of going back and forth and sharing 355 00:17:33,920 --> 00:17:38,040 Speaker 1: conversation and sharing responsibility always pops up to make you 356 00:17:38,200 --> 00:17:41,439 Speaker 1: a well rided person and diverse in your conversation. So 357 00:17:41,800 --> 00:17:44,760 Speaker 1: all know that this whenever you talk about who you are, 358 00:17:45,040 --> 00:17:47,480 Speaker 1: You know that when you come across very natural as 359 00:17:47,520 --> 00:17:50,399 Speaker 1: I'm hearing it is because you can speak on so 360 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:53,359 Speaker 1: many different levels. And plus you educated. You're educated, and 361 00:17:53,400 --> 00:17:56,080 Speaker 1: that's all important in all this. So I wish you 362 00:17:56,119 --> 00:17:58,760 Speaker 1: tremendous success and if and I will be shocked if 363 00:17:58,760 --> 00:18:01,919 Speaker 1: you're not successful in that production. We definitely agree with 364 00:18:01,960 --> 00:18:03,920 Speaker 1: my staff so we can connect. I know I've talked 365 00:18:03,920 --> 00:18:05,560 Speaker 1: too much. That just got off from this trans that 366 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:12,200 Speaker 1: I just heard. Just wanted to stall communicating all these 367 00:18:12,200 --> 00:18:14,040 Speaker 1: greatness on the phone. You know we were from track 368 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:19,520 Speaker 1: and Garl who man, did you you? So let's talk 369 00:18:19,520 --> 00:18:22,280 Speaker 1: about like a look limited time. But I want to 370 00:18:22,280 --> 00:18:23,800 Speaker 1: talk about three books that I want to bring you 371 00:18:23,840 --> 00:18:26,359 Speaker 1: back on the show to discuss in detail because I 372 00:18:26,359 --> 00:18:28,919 Speaker 1: want to read the because you've written three books. And 373 00:18:28,960 --> 00:18:32,199 Speaker 1: the first why did you write the books? Well, I 374 00:18:32,240 --> 00:18:34,879 Speaker 1: always wanted to write a book, um, And initially I 375 00:18:34,920 --> 00:18:37,080 Speaker 1: thought I was gonna just write one book, and the 376 00:18:37,080 --> 00:18:38,800 Speaker 1: book that was on my heart was to write a 377 00:18:38,840 --> 00:18:41,040 Speaker 1: book for young girls. I wanted to write something that 378 00:18:41,040 --> 00:18:43,520 Speaker 1: would inspire and encourage young girls to reach for their 379 00:18:43,600 --> 00:18:46,680 Speaker 1: dreams based on my own stories and my ups and 380 00:18:46,760 --> 00:18:49,760 Speaker 1: downs throughout my career. And as I was presented with 381 00:18:49,800 --> 00:18:52,040 Speaker 1: the book opportunity, they said, hey, you know, I would 382 00:18:52,040 --> 00:18:53,840 Speaker 1: love for you to write a memoir. I said, hey, 383 00:18:53,880 --> 00:18:56,679 Speaker 1: I feel like I'm too young to write a memoir. Um. 384 00:18:56,720 --> 00:18:58,840 Speaker 1: But then as as as we kind of talked to 385 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:00,879 Speaker 1: what that would look like, I felt, wow, like I'm 386 00:19:00,960 --> 00:19:03,600 Speaker 1: just closing this very important chapter in my life. I 387 00:19:03,600 --> 00:19:05,919 Speaker 1: had just retired from the from track and field, and 388 00:19:06,280 --> 00:19:07,720 Speaker 1: I don't have the best memory in the world that 389 00:19:07,840 --> 00:19:10,080 Speaker 1: God I journaled, but I thought I would say, you know, 390 00:19:10,080 --> 00:19:11,879 Speaker 1: it would be a really good time to talk about 391 00:19:11,920 --> 00:19:13,760 Speaker 1: what this time in my life has been like and 392 00:19:14,040 --> 00:19:16,640 Speaker 1: everything that I've learned, and how I feel like other 393 00:19:16,680 --> 00:19:19,119 Speaker 1: people can stand on top of their own podiums in 394 00:19:19,160 --> 00:19:21,479 Speaker 1: their own life. And so I ended up writing an 395 00:19:21,480 --> 00:19:25,640 Speaker 1: adult book, Chasing Graces. My adult book, it's very transparent, 396 00:19:25,760 --> 00:19:28,479 Speaker 1: very honest, I shared some really low times in my 397 00:19:28,560 --> 00:19:31,920 Speaker 1: life and some really awesome, incredible highs in my life. Um, 398 00:19:31,960 --> 00:19:34,119 Speaker 1: and ultimately about my faith, how my faith kind of 399 00:19:34,119 --> 00:19:36,320 Speaker 1: carried me through it all. And and then my other 400 00:19:36,359 --> 00:19:38,920 Speaker 1: two books are let's talk about the things, so let's 401 00:19:38,920 --> 00:19:41,640 Speaker 1: talk about the portants of your faith. You know, it's 402 00:19:41,680 --> 00:19:44,520 Speaker 1: really interesting though. This is a show about money making conversations, 403 00:19:45,400 --> 00:19:49,840 Speaker 1: entrepreneurship of entertainment, and faith pops up a lot and 404 00:19:49,960 --> 00:19:53,399 Speaker 1: uh and it it becomes a motivator for a lot 405 00:19:53,480 --> 00:19:55,280 Speaker 1: of people called on this show. I was in a 406 00:19:55,280 --> 00:19:57,000 Speaker 1: majority of the people come on this show. And then 407 00:19:57,000 --> 00:20:00,840 Speaker 1: you just you mentioned faith. Explain to importance of faith 408 00:20:00,920 --> 00:20:03,680 Speaker 1: in not only what you did is attract though, but 409 00:20:03,760 --> 00:20:07,360 Speaker 1: what you're trying to accomplish in the future. I mean, 410 00:20:07,600 --> 00:20:09,880 Speaker 1: my faith has meant everything to me, and I think 411 00:20:09,920 --> 00:20:12,119 Speaker 1: that my faith has been the reason that I've been 412 00:20:12,160 --> 00:20:14,720 Speaker 1: able to be resilient through sports and through everything else 413 00:20:14,720 --> 00:20:18,639 Speaker 1: in my life, because I ultimately believe that everything is 414 00:20:18,640 --> 00:20:21,359 Speaker 1: working together for my greater good. Um, and that I 415 00:20:21,440 --> 00:20:23,960 Speaker 1: serve an awesome God who as long as I honor 416 00:20:24,040 --> 00:20:26,320 Speaker 1: him and lean into him, will always take care of 417 00:20:26,359 --> 00:20:28,560 Speaker 1: me and take care of my family and will lead 418 00:20:28,560 --> 00:20:30,880 Speaker 1: me in the right direction. And so in my book 419 00:20:30,920 --> 00:20:34,040 Speaker 1: Chasing Grace, without giving away too much, I ultimately talk 420 00:20:34,119 --> 00:20:36,560 Speaker 1: about all my life, I feel like I'm chasing I'm 421 00:20:36,640 --> 00:20:39,800 Speaker 1: chasing records, I'm chasing medals and chasing all these things. 422 00:20:39,800 --> 00:20:42,359 Speaker 1: But the greatest gift that I've I was able to 423 00:20:42,440 --> 00:20:44,399 Speaker 1: run into as I was running all around the world, 424 00:20:44,440 --> 00:20:48,160 Speaker 1: was God's grace UM, and so and everything that I do, 425 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:50,600 Speaker 1: I just always know that if doors closed, they weren't 426 00:20:50,600 --> 00:20:53,520 Speaker 1: meant for me, and doors that are opening God's God 427 00:20:53,880 --> 00:20:56,119 Speaker 1: is working behind the scenes to open them for me. 428 00:20:56,160 --> 00:20:58,080 Speaker 1: And I just try to show up in the world 429 00:20:58,320 --> 00:21:01,840 Speaker 1: UM with a lot of positivity, tea and love, UM 430 00:21:01,960 --> 00:21:03,399 Speaker 1: and just try to be the best person that I 431 00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:05,440 Speaker 1: can be because I know that that's what honest Scott, Okay, 432 00:21:05,440 --> 00:21:07,400 Speaker 1: no Mommy Nation, but we'll get off their Mommy Nation. 433 00:21:07,600 --> 00:21:12,080 Speaker 1: How can individuals connect with that? So the first thing is, 434 00:21:12,160 --> 00:21:13,639 Speaker 1: and I would love for them to check out the 435 00:21:13,680 --> 00:21:16,280 Speaker 1: actual blogs. So it's mommy with an eye, not a 436 00:21:16,400 --> 00:21:20,240 Speaker 1: why mommy nation dot com where we have over three 437 00:21:20,320 --> 00:21:24,840 Speaker 1: hundred blogs on pregnancy, on life after man, after divorce, 438 00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:27,199 Speaker 1: this everything we're trying to cover. The full breath of 439 00:21:27,240 --> 00:21:29,679 Speaker 1: what motherhood UM and being a mom and being a 440 00:21:29,680 --> 00:21:31,560 Speaker 1: woman and a wife looks like. So you can connect 441 00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:34,640 Speaker 1: with the fair. We're also on Instagram and Facebook. UM 442 00:21:34,680 --> 00:21:37,160 Speaker 1: but I also would love to invite any mom who 443 00:21:37,160 --> 00:21:40,680 Speaker 1: either blogs doesn't blog if they ever want to contribute 444 00:21:40,720 --> 00:21:43,560 Speaker 1: to our platform. We're always looking for new moms to 445 00:21:43,640 --> 00:21:47,439 Speaker 1: write blogs and to share their stories and encourage other moms. 446 00:21:47,480 --> 00:21:49,520 Speaker 1: So but of course the main place to check us 447 00:21:49,520 --> 00:21:52,320 Speaker 1: out as mommy Nation dot com. Well talked to good Luck. 448 00:21:53,080 --> 00:21:54,840 Speaker 1: I would, I would they keep running, but you know 449 00:21:54,880 --> 00:22:01,239 Speaker 1: you're not running anymore, so keeping them all right? Thank you? 450 00:22:01,280 --> 00:22:03,919 Speaker 1: Someone what a tree to to connect with you and 451 00:22:04,200 --> 00:22:06,560 Speaker 1: I definitely definitely would love to connect with you in Atlanta. 452 00:22:06,920 --> 00:22:09,000 Speaker 1: This will make sure that happened. Will make sure they happened. 453 00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:09,720 Speaker 1: Good Luck, We talk so