Imagine being the fastest person in a room and having a purpose bigger than winning to be so. Julien Alfred never gets tired of breaking records on the track, but that’s not the only reason. She’s here to leave an ever-lasting impact that inspires people– and ignites their inner fire, especially the youth in Saint Lucia, her home country. With an explosive speed that has already gotten her global recognition, Alfred is now setting her sights on an even bigger goal for 2025 in a single word. Growth. But not just the kind of growth that comes with training and competing; we’re talking about mental, physical, and spiritual growth that will elevate her both as an athlete and as a person, the resolution of the year!

Born in Saint Lucia, a country where resources for elite athletes are almost nil and restricted, the 23-year-old star, Alfred, has proven that nothing can stand in her way. From NCAA championships to bagging the gold medal at the 2024 Olympics in 100m, clocking 10.72 seconds, she’s already achieved more than most athletes dream of with her ever-growing will. As she steps into 2025, she’s focused not only on athletic excellence but also on personal transformation, and that’s a queen move!

“My top three targets for 2025 are to grow as a person, mentally, physically, and spiritually,”  track and field star shares. Alfred’s New Year’s vision is engraved in the thought that success isn’t only measured by the times you clock or the titles you win. It’s about building a foundation beyond the track—one that helps her handle the pressures of competition, take care of her body, and stay grounded in her values. As an athlete, Alfred knows the importance of pushing herself, but she’s equally dedicated to nurturing her mind and spirit to achieve holistic success. 

At the heart of this ambition is Alfred’s deep commitment to her community. “I want to continue inspiring those in my country, especially the youth,” she says. Julien Alfred, as an athlete, goes beyond personal glory. She understands the power of representation and the impact it has on younger generations, who see her as a symbol of hope and possibility. Not to forget how she rose from the dirt, for which whole Stain Lucia is proud, that’s what inspires people in her country to do the same. Her message is simple yet profound: with hard work, anything is achievable, regardless of where you start. 

Julien Alfred’s holistic approach to growth with gratefulness

2025 reflects Julien Alfred’s belief that true success comes from within. “I want to do well on the track for myself, for my country, for my coach, and for those who have poured so much into me,” Alfred’s new year means dominating the track but also about maintaining clarity of mind through the ups and downs of her career. 

Alfred finds strength in grounding herself. For her, spiritual growth is essential to navigating the pressures of being a public figure and an elite athlete. Think of having 180,000 hopes connected to one. That’s too intense. After becoming Saint Lucia’s first Olympic gold medalist, she opened up, “It felt so much pressure whenever I got a chance to race, because now I thought that Saint Lucians was expecting so much from me.”

She even thought of quitting completely, that’s when her coach Flo came in, and after having a heart-to-heart conversation with him, they both cried, he finally asked, “Are you ready to be an Olympic champion?” And the world is aware of the outcome!

“He’s been like a dad, a mentor and a coach,” said Alfred, about her coach, Edrick Florèal, who since 2019 has been a constant pillar in her life; she expresses, “I think at this level sometimes there can be so much pressure and I really appreciate all that he has done not just from a coaching standpoint, but also just being a human like I am. He’s seen me as a human and not just an athlete. He’s been a great help in making me into the person that I am, and have the mindset that I have.”  

Having lost her father in 2013 and being able to find a father-like figure in her coach, she’s really grateful for that, and so she pushes herself to do even better and instills a never-giving-up attitude, no matter how rough it gets.

Physical growth has always been a highlight of Alfred’s journey. She marked her name history in 2023 by becoming the fastest collegiate woman in the indoor 60m, with a lightning time of 6.94 seconds and indoor champion with 6.98 seconds in 2024. These achievements happen with serious dedication and crossing limits. In 2025, she is hell-bent on maintaining peak performance without risking her health, ensuring she can sustain her success for years to come so that she can cater to herself and the people she loves.