Forging Building Blocks from Disappointments with Olympic Medalist Lauryn Williams [Episode 12]

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Lauryn Williams could beat her family dog home at age nine and raced a hologram of the legendary Florence Joyner at a museum until she won. It was no secret that she was fast. After high school she accepted an academic scholarship to the University of Miami for track and by age 20, she not only won the NCAA Championship, but posted the second fastest time 100 meter time in the world, was the fastest American woman in the event, and was catapulted into the Olympic Trials. She took silver in the 100 meter event in Athens, but a botched baton pass in the 4x100 relay left the favored American women empty handed. 

The opportunity for redemption presented itself again four years later, but the nightmare replayed itself as the baton was yet again bumbled during the hand-off. Lauryn discovered the mercilessness of the media, being smeared as a “failure” and a “let-down.” She took time off from track to discover what she had to offer beyond her speed, and returned a year later with a new mentality towards the sport. Recognizing the value of her journey, her intangible influence, and her resilience, Lauryn headed into the 2012 Olympics in London on the relay once again where the American women became a gold medal, world record team.

Her following retirement didn’t last long, as she happened upon an opportunity to pursue bobsled for the 2014 Winter Olympics. She went into the Olympic trials with only one month of practice and went on to win the silver medal in Sochi with partner Elana Meyers Taylor. History was made that day as Lauryn became the first American woman to medal in both the summer and winter Olympics. Today, Lauryn is a financial planner, author, and podcaster who focuses on helping elite athletes set goals for their future beyond sport.

Learn more here: https://www.hopesports.org/forging-building-blocks

For more about our host, visit www.laurawilkinson.com and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

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Produced by Simpler Media