Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone isn’t just a name that echoes through Olympic stadiums; she’s a force, a world-record holder in the 400-meter hurdles, and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. At 25, she’s redefined what it means to dominate track and field, with a 50.68-second world record at the 2024 Paris Games. But behind the medals and the blazing speed, there’s a story that hits deeper than her spikes on the track.

On the Ready Set Go podcast with Justin Gatlin, Sydney got real, peeling back the layers of her journey from chasing likes to finding true peace. So, what drove this superstar to rethink her entire approach to life?

Early in her career, Sydney admitted she was all in on the glitz. “I wanted all the attention, all the fame, all the money, all the things. I wanted all of it,” she said. Social media was her fuel, as she curated the perfect posts, dressed up, snapped photos, and soaked in the validation from likes and comments. “I was feeding off of that; that was my source of life,” she confessed.

But the high of external approval was fleeting. “Whether it’s social media, track and field, money, relationships—those things will never satisfy you, and they’re always changing,” she added. That constant chase left her anxious, tethered to things that shifted like sand. So, what changed everything for her?

The COVID pandemic hit pause on the world, and for Sydney, it was a divine reset. “I realized, first of all, I’m not in control of my own life, nor was I ever meant to be,” she shared. Faith became her anchor, a stark contrast to the instability of fame. “To have things like track and field or relationships or status be my source was… stealing the glory from God,” she said. Her Christian faith reframed everything, rooting her in something “steadfast, unchanging, undefiled, and unfading.” But how does this shift play out on the track?

Now, Sydney runs with a new purpose. “It gives me the freedom to be who He’s called me to be,” she said, no longer needing validation from crowds or comments. Her races, her records, they’re opportunities to honor God, not herself. From social media’s fleeting applause to faith’s lasting peace, Sydney’s story is a reminder that even champions seek something greater. What’s next for this track icon as she carries this mindset into 2025?

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone talks about going beyond the hurdles

Well, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the 400-meter hurdles phenom, has been blazing trails since she was a kid. Now 25, with two Olympic golds and a world record set at the 2024 Paris Games, she’s a track and field titan. On the Ready Set Go podcast with Justin Gatlin, Sydney got candid about her journey, reflecting on a career that began at age six. “Running in general, I started when I was six, so it’s been almost 20 years of running,” she shared. That’s two decades of sprinting, hurdling, and breaking records. But what’s it like to carry that legacy as a pro?

Now in her seventh year as a professional, Sydney’s resume sparkles, world championships, Olympic glory, and a barrier-shattering 50.68. “It’s been good so far, it’s been hefty and we’ve accomplished quite a bit,” she said with a smile in her voice. Yet, her perspective is shifting. The medals, the records, they’re not her whole world anymore. So, what’s pulling her focus?

“I think there’s still more to be done, but I do feel like track and field is not everything for me,” Sydney admitted. Her faith grounds her, giving her peace beyond the finish line. “The more time that passes, the more content I am with what the Lord has allowed us to do,” she added. As Sydney looks ahead, what new heights will she chase?