In April, Tia Jones stood in front of the media, her voice steady yet reflective, as she said: “Well, I always expect the unexpected.” A simple phrase that carried the weight of everything. Back then, she was trying to rise above the turbulence in her personal life, focusing instead on her professional comeback. With a powerful start at the inaugural Grand Slam Track meet, she had every reason to smile, securing a resounding victory in the 100m hurdles, her signature event. But just 24 hours later, reality hit hard!

A sixth-place finish in the 100m sprint denied Tia the coveted Slam Champion title and the $100,000 prize. “Unexpected,” perhaps — but Tia had learned to cope with setbacks. What she wasn’t prepared for, though, was the kind of loss that leaves no medals, no podium, and no timeline for healing.

On June 24, the track star shared a deeply emotional message on her Instagram story that left her fans heartbroken. “I just lost my best friend this hurts so bad!!! I’ll see you up there PP,” she wrote. Alongside the message was a photo — simple, quiet, and tender. It showed a small puppy resting on her lap, gently wrapped in a towel, surrounded by Tia’s love. Perhaps that explained the love shared between the athlete and her “best friend.” Still… 

While Grand Slam Track is now in the books with Tia leaving her mark through her breathtaking hurdles performances, this loss casts a long shadow. Her beloved pet, her loyal companion through the ups and downs, was more than just a pet. To Tia, PP was a sanctuary, the one being who offered unconditional love when the world felt heavy. In the silence after the cheers fade, Tia Jones is grieving, not as an athlete, but as a person who just lost a piece of her heart. However, the 24-year-old exemplifies a character who knows how to navigate, even in the dark hours. 

Tia Jones is on a mission 

The question now hanging heavy in the air is this: How will Tia Jones move on? She’s no stranger to hardship. She’s fought her way through personal storms before, but this time, she’s lost someone whom she called her best friend. And with the World Athletics Championships fast approaching, the spotlight is once again turning toward her. But will she be ready? The answer may lie in what she’s already said.

Back in May, Tia was asked what message she’d give to her 10-year-old self. Her response: “I would tell 10-year-old me to don’t be afraid to taking those hard decisions,” she said. “And the people telling you that your mindset is too strong, it’s not too strong.” Her voice was firm, her conviction unshaken. “And don’t be scared to leave the nest,” she added. 

Those aren’t just words for a younger version of herself — they’re words for right now. For the Tia who is once again standing at a crossroads between heartbreak and greatness. Between mourning a loss and chasing a world title. If history has taught us anything about Tia Jones, it’s that she doesn’t crumble. She recalibrates. And while the pain of losing PP may still be raw, the heart of a champion beats beneath it. Her mindset — the one some call “too strong” — is exactly what she’ll need to rise again.