“Looks are absolutely a problem…” That’s not a complaint; that’s Gabby Thomas, speaking her truth. Think about it: an Olympic medalist, a Harvard graduate, and still, people chose to judge her by her appearance. Racism, body shaming, endless criticism — none of it spared her. For years, Gabby battled self-doubt, questioning if she was enough. But track and field became more than a sport; it became her way back to herself.

It took Gabby years to build that rock-solid confidence, but she’s there now. Today, she’s strutting down the runways of NYFW, attending major events like the FNAA and CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, and even made her debut in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit right after her Olympic success. But that doesn’t mean she forgets her early struggles. She remembers them, recently sharing how she battled major issues with self-esteem before finding track and field.

Gabby Thomas’s early body image struggles as a sprinter were influenced by societal pressures and personal experiences. In her youth, she grappled with the desire to appear both strong and feminine, feeling the weight of expectations to conform to certain physical ideals. She recalled with SI.com, “I was definitely very self-aware of my body and my body type,” and mentioned, “I teetered between not wanting to look too masculine and strong and also wanting to maintain a feminine look and also be thin.”

Her journey into track and field provided a transformative outlet. The sport allowed her to focus on her body’s capabilities rather than its appearance. Thomas emphasized that embracing her athleticism helped her become more comfortable in her skin. Now, as a role model, Thomas encourages young girls to embrace their bodies and not be confined by societal standards.

Gabby Thomas advises, “What I would tell girls now is to not worry about what society thinks about your body. Don’t worry about what society tells you your body is for. That’s for you to decide, and you can do amazing things with it.” But what led her to this powerful perspective? Why did she become so conscious of it in the first place?

Gabby Thomas speaks out against racism and body image

Gabby Thomas has faced significant challenges related to racism and body image throughout her life, which have profoundly shaped her resilience and sense of identity. In January 2025, she responded to online comments questioning the authenticity of her Harvard degree, highlighting the racial biases underlying such assumptions.

She expressed her disbelief on social media, stating, “Today, on Jan 26, 2025, there are hundreds of people commenting on my Twitter page who specifically assume that, because I am Black, I must not have earned my admission into Harvard or my diploma. Is this real life?” She further added, “You’re probably right 🤷🏽‍♀️ 😂 darn my Harvard degree.” But that’s not all!

In March 2025, after posting a video of herself dancing to ‘Teach Me How to Dougie,‘ Thomas faced criticism from a user who commented, “This is a white woman… I will not elaborate.” Thomas responded succinctly with “Ew,” and when the user attempted to justify the comment, Thomas retorted, “Nah, girl, you’ve got the wrong one. Black people aren’t a monolith, and this anti-Black rhetoric isn’t it. Let Black women be silly and have fun.”

In addition to facing racism, Thomas has also dealt with body image issues, particularly concerning her appearance as a Black female athlete. In a 2025 interview, she discussed the pressures to conform to certain beauty standards, especially regarding her hair. She expressed the stress of ensuring her hair looked “perfect” before races to avoid online criticism.

Gabby Thomas shared, “As a female athlete, and especially as a Black female athlete, you have to look a certain way or else you’re susceptible to a lot of criticism, and it almost always comes back to how our hair looks.” She’s owning her natural beauty now and wants to inspire the next generation to do the same. Her experiences have lit a fire in her to challenge stereotypes and push for inclusivity. Gabby Thomas is all about telling people to be true to themselves and not let society’s rules throw them off track.