From clinching the USATF title to completing a triple crown at the Tokyo World Championships, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden remained undefeated throughout the 2025 season. Yet, her decision to skip the Athlos event may have cost her dearly, as Brittany Brown walked away with a staggering $120,000 in one night, more than the combined prize of the Diamond League and World Championships. But even amid all the commotion, she found some consolation from YouTuber MrBeast himself.

Jefferson-Wooden may have skipped Athlos, but MrBeast had other plans for her. In his latest YouTube challenge, he gathered a hundred men and offered $100,000 to anyone who could outrun Melissa Jefferson in a 100m sprint. The excitement was electric, faces lit up at the chance to beat a world champion. As the race kicked off, many tried but failed to catch her. Yet, one contender, runner No. 35, nearly stunned the crowd in the final stretch, but Jefferson’s explosive finish sealed the win.

The 2025 Athlos season wrapped up in style, with several stars walking away with hefty rewards. Among them, Brittany Brown stood tall, clinching both the 100m and 200m titles before Serena Williams. Her triumph earned her two Tiffany crowns and a staggering $120,000 in prize money, and when you factor in the value of those crowns, the total soars close to $200,000. That’s a massive payday, especially when compared to the Diamond League, where even the finale winner takes home a modest $70,000.

Jefferson’s back-to-back record-breaking performances and her dominance at the World Athletics Championships were nothing short of spectacular, as she bagged three medals and etched her name as the fourth-fastest woman ever in the 100m. But such a stellar season also comes with the risk of wear and tear.

Following her Tokyo triumph, Jefferson was set to appear at Athlos; however, she ultimately decided to withdraw, prioritizing her health and longevity over short-term glory. “After a lot of thought and consideration, my team and I have decided I won’t be competing at the ATHLOS Meet on October 10th. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right one,” she revealed in a conversation. So, what’s next for her?

“I’m not satisfied,” said Melissa Jefferson-Wooden after the World Athletics Championship

After her Tokyo triumph, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden etched her name in history as the first American woman to capture double gold at the World Athletics Championships. But she didn’t stop there; she became only the second woman ever, after Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s legendary 2013 feat in Moscow, to sweep the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay. And despite all that glory, Melissa isn’t slowing down; she’s already chasing her next conquest.

In an interview with CNN, the athlete revealed that she has much more to achieve, “If you really lock in and dial in on the things that you want to achieve, but also put in the hard work as well on top of that, the sky’s the limit for you. There are so many things out there that I’ve accomplished this year, but there are so many more things that I want to accomplish. Knowing that I left the World Championships very, very happy, but also, I’m not satisfied just means so much and gets me really, really excited for the years to come.”

So, what’s next for her? The athlete believes her performance at the upcoming LA 2028 Olympics will surpass everything she’s done so far. “I’m excited for LA, and I’m sure it’s going to be one for the books,” she said. With her talent still evolving, who knows—she might even shatter a world record. What are your thoughts on her journey so far?