Greatness Isn’t Accidental: Intentional Living with Sanya Richards-Ross

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[00:37] So whether you're picking out your first policy or just looking for something that works better for you and your family, they make it easy to see your options. [00:44] Visit com. Find a rate that works for you with the Name Your Price tool. [00:49] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and Affiliates. Price and coverage match limited by state law. [00:55] Do you want to be great? And I said, yeah, of course. Why else would I be doing this? And he says, no, baby. Do you really want to be great? And it was the first time that I realized that being great was not just going to happen because I was extremely talented.

It was only going to happen if I was intentional about doing all the things to get there. [01:24] So ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to another exciting episode of Mick Unplugged. And today I'm honored to be sitting with someone that you know [01:33] As an Olympic gold medalist, a world champion, [01:37] An amazing mother, but I know her as an amazing human being. I am talking about none other. [01:45] than the infamous, the amazing, the fabulous Miss Sonia Richards-Ross. Sonia, how are you doing today, dear? I'm amazing, Mick. Thank you so much for having me.

Thank you for that wonderful introduction. I'm just so excited for our conversation today. I'm the honored one. You know, I feel like over the last couple of months, I've really gotten to know you. I mean, I knew who you were, what you were about, your story. Again, the human that you are. [02:12] speaks volumes. I always tell people your legacy speaks when you don't have to and the legacy that you've built and that you are continuing to build as a mother, as a friend, as a business person. I'm just so excited to have you.

Thank you so much. That means a lot coming from you because I just have so much admiration and respect for what you've built as well. So it really means a lot. Amazing. Well, you know how I always start this off and I ask about your be caught. [02:42] it changes, right? Like, and I would say for you, [02:45] With motherhood, your because has probably changed. So if I were to say, Sonia, today, what's your because? Why do you keep doing the things that you do? Yeah. I know that's how you start your show, so I was really thinking about it.

And I like that you say because and not why, because everyone says your why. And I think because kind of feels a little bit different. As I was driving into your studio, I was like, what is my because? And I actually have three. I have three. [03:15] Those are the three things that I feel like are the things that excite me, that get me up every day. [03:22] I have one life and I feel very blessed to be in this life and to have this experience. And so I want to just live it to the fullest.

I want to have every experience. I want to do everything that I feel like God has called me to be. So that's my because I have one life because I'm a mom. [03:38] I think that one's self-explanatory, but my boys inspire me in ways I never thought possible, and I want for them to... [03:46] be the best that they can be. So I want them to see that example in me. I want them to feel the support, feel the love. And so they're a huge part of my because, and because I can, because I believe that anything I put my mind to, I can do it.

And so that drives me as well. [04:01] So I want to start with that last one. [04:04] Because you can. Yeah. [04:07] That's a book, by the way. I'm going to go ahead and say that that is your next thing because you can. Because I believe in that. Yeah. I know for you, you know, growing up in Jamaica and where track and field is huge. Is it is it? Yeah. Right. And it's one of those things. And I don't think people and I love Jamaica. Montego Bay is my spot. And I don't think people understand.

[04:33] The culture, the love that Jamaica has. But then also... [04:39] You know, there are certain times where it's like you see visions and you're only going to go so far. And I say the same thing in the United States, right? Like there are places you grow up and it's like, I'm only going to go so far here. Right. [04:49] At seven. Mm-hmm. [04:52] Is that where because I can started? [04:55] Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. I think, and I always say this, I feel like I got the best of both worlds being born in Jamaica, where track and field was the most popular sport, where black excellence was always all around me.

And I mean, the person that really, really instilled in me that I could and that I would and that I could and I can was my dad. Like, I remember when I was nine years old, I wrote for a great assignment that I'd be an Olympic champion. [05:25] this huge goal for my life. But as early as I can remember, I [05:30] my dad would always say, yeah, I'm going to be a world beater. You're the best. You're the best. And I think he said it so much to the point that I started to believe in myself.

And so for me, the foundation was certainly set by my environment, being in Jamaica, seeing excellence all around me, seeing it, what was possible in track and field, and then being able to migrate to the United States where I just had access to so many great resources, incredible coaches. I think the [05:56] live out that dream. And then once I did that, that spirit of I can has just never left. Yeah, yeah, you can and you did. You're going to continue to do it. And, you know, [06:07] It's that thing that I appreciate about you.

I mean, we've seen your dominance. And I know you don't like to talk about it in that sense. So this is me giving you your flowers, right? Thank you. [06:19] There's only been one you. You've accomplished things that [06:24] I can honestly say no one else has. And it's that because I can't. That attitude, that mantra. Talk to us about... [06:34] You know, now you're at the University of Texas. Yeah. And track and field. Right. Is the thing like Jamaica, Texas. Everybody thinks football now. But I can promise you track and field is the thing at Texas University as well.

Talk to us about competing at that level and finding players. [06:55] your true sense then? Yeah. Going to the University of Texas, I only competed for UT for two years before becoming professional, but they were certainly extremely important years for me when it came to seeing myself as a potential professional athlete and really understanding what it was going to take to be the best in the world. Because there are certainly levels to it, right? Like you're the best in middle school, best in high school, but to be the best in college, [07:25] took a lot of discipline because it wasn't just only the track portion.

It was the school and like managing all of those things that I think really differentiates the ones that are able to make it to the next level. And so- [07:36] Being nurtured at the University of Texas, I credit for sure with being able to transition and have a 13-year professional career because I started to understand how all the little things truly add up to make you, you know, the best in the world. And so, you know, from going in the weight room 6 m. in the morning to eating well, resting, you know, we had a nutritionist, we had a massage therapist.

Like, you know, they did a really good job of... [08:03] laying kind of the blueprint of what it takes to be a great athlete. And so, you know, coupling that with obviously I was MIS major. So my school load was also heavy. I really think all of those things prepared me for what it took to be able to build a team professionally, put the right people in place to help support me to be my best. So it was awesome. I also met the love of my life there. So, you know, to be able to go to Texas.

[08:33] and support. [08:34] All of those things happened for me at Texas, and I look back at those as two of the best years of my life. [08:41] I... [08:42] I'm pausing because I'm a New England patriot. I'm sorry, my friend. [08:48] I'm sorry. Yeah, Aaron. Bro, we got to talk. Off air. You know 17 and 0. That perfect season. You triggered me a little bit. Come back. Let's come back to you. Let's come back to you. And so this next part, I called [09:09] my unplugged truth so it'd be unplugged truth.

[09:15] And I'm going to start with this truth. And I teased it a little bit. [09:18] There's only one you. [09:20] Right. And we talk about that dominance that you had. [09:25] Here's my truth. [09:27] There's never been... [09:30] A 400 meter [09:32] Sprinter. [09:35] that has dominated track and field like you have. [09:38] Thank you. [09:39] And when you hear that, mm-hmm, [09:41] And you really take that in. Yeah. [09:44] Like what goes through your mind? [09:46] I think about all the hard work. [09:48] Hmm. [09:49] Um... [09:50] the people that really poured into me.

I think as you get older, you really, really value those things even more. Like the coaches that sacrificed to be there. My coach recently passed away, Coach Clyde Hart, who I just love so much. Thank you. He coached at Baylor for 50 years. You talk about excellence and longevity and consistency. Coach Clyde Hart embodies all of those things. And I think he is the greatest 400 meter coach of all time. [10:17] But when you think about the people who make the sacrifice to help you to live your dream, you know, I have a coach, Bruce Johnson.

He's the one that comes to mind when I think about sacrifices. I used to train between Austin, Texas and Waco. It's about an hour and a half drive. And and coach Bruce Johnson was my strength coach and he would drive to come to my training sessions on the track. [10:40] two or three times a week just to make sure that it was complementary to what we're doing in the weight room and that level of commitment and sacrifice that you just don't find people that do that. And so when I think about my.

[10:52] excellence on the track and the fact that I've run the most sub 50s ever run in history and was the thank you had the American record for 19 years and won the only the second gold medal for Team USA I think about those people and their love and their sacrifice and their commitment to helping me be great. [11:10] And my loved ones, my mom and dad, who were there for every single track meet. My dad came to every workout. [11:17] Wow. My dad moved. When I went to Texas, my family, after my sophomore season, moved to Texas as well.

And when I started work with Coach Clyde Hart after my sophomore year, my dad would drive me to Waco every day. He would stay with me in Waco. So I had someone there with me because, you know, parents understand at that age how important it is to have that kind of support. And so, you know, as a parent now, I look back on those sacrifices and I get really emotional because that takes a lot of time. [11:43] to do that for someone that you love. So I'm [11:45] I won't get too emotional, but yeah, I think about the people that poured into me and loved on me and helped me to live that very radical dream.

[11:53] Amen to that. Amen to that. And you hit on something I was actually going to talk about. [11:59] We've had a lot of great... [12:03] Success in track and field in the United States. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Yeah. And on the women's side in sprinting, we've had some really, really good success. Yeah. [12:13] But the 400 Jew, [12:15] The 400 is you. I mean, there's been what two American women who have won gold? Only two. And one of them is right here. Yeah. Multiple times. Yeah. And you talk about all the sub 50s.

Yeah. Yeah. [12:28] Like, here's the unplugged truth. I don't know if I could ride a bicycle on the 400. Like, people don't understand how daunting the 400 is and just... [12:40] I personally think it's more mental than anything. It's more mental than physical. [12:45] 200. Yeah. It's physical talent. Right. For sure. Right. But the 400 is timing. Yes. It's really you against you. Yeah. And people look at it and you've got competitors in the different lanes and all that. Yeah. [13:00] It's really you versus you and you can't get distracted, right?

Like somebody is going to come out of the gate strong and you know how that goes. Yeah. Talk about the mentality of the 400. Yeah. It's such a good question, Mick, and I don't think a lot of people really appreciate that because they look at all sprints as kind of the same, but the 400 is its own beast. And if you're inside the sport, people will say the 400 is the hardest race on the track because they appreciate that. It is mentally and physically so challenging, so taxing, and you kind of have to strike [13:30] balance perfectly in order to win.

[13:32] You know, where you're trying to have that perfect balance of speed and endurance to be able to maintain and to be able to win. So it challenges you in every single way. But I want to share the strategy that my coach actually we used to win the 400 that I also think applies to life. So we called it the four P's. OK, yeah. [13:52] And there was a fifth silent P that I'll share. So the first P is push. The second P was pace. Third P, position. And then the final P, poise.

[14:02] And also pray. There you go. You needed to pray the last hundred. Yeah. But, you know, this is the strategy that I wrote about in my book. And I also say I think it applies to life because I do feel like the 400 does mimic life when it comes to how challenging it is physically and emotionally. [14:17] in the ways that we can be challenged in life. So the first 50, you got to push out the blocks as hard as you can. You forget you're running a 400. You run it like a pure sprint because that's the only part of the race where your speed does not impact the final 400.

It doesn't dip into your systems and start to affect how you're going to feel in the final 400. So you get out as hard as you can. So I think about life when you're doing something new, there's this like, you know, energy you have, like you're pushing with all your might, you know, you're doing the new podcast, doing the new show and you're like enthusiastic and you have this push and excitement. [14:47] pace yourself. [14:48] Right. So after 50 meters for the next 150, before you get to the 200 meter mark, you've got to find your pace.

Right. And this is where you don't slow down, but you settle into a rhythm that you can maintain. [14:59] I think the same thing with life. You start this new project, then you got to start pacing yourself. Right. You got to find a rhythm because you will burn out. Right. If you try to keep that pace over and over again, a lot of times that's what why a lot of people quit or fail is because they burn out. And so you got to pace yourself and find a good rhythm. [15:16] And then the third P, Coach Hart would always say, was the most important P.

This is where you have to position yourself to win the race. So you talked about that in the 400, how a lot of times it is like mano a mano. It's just me versus me. So for the first 200, I'm not looking at anybody else. I'm just solely focused on. [15:33] getting out hard and hitting my pace, the pace that feels good to me. I don't want to get distracted and run too fast because this person's gone out too fast. I got to stay focused. But in the third hundred, now I got to start looking, where are people at?

How do I position myself to win this race? Same thing in life. I feel a lot of times when you're starting on something new, you got to position yourself for success. Sometimes that means moving to LA to get the opportunity, going to the right university, like putting yourself physically in position to [16:03] This is the part of the race where the mind is telling you, okay, we need to stop. Pull over. What's going on? Why are we running so fast for so long? Right, right. And you have to like quiet that chatter in your mind, stay poised and focus on the finish line and trust that everything that you have done is going to show up and you're going to be able to cross the finish line first.

And the same way I always say, it's like there comes a moment in your career where you're going to have to trust the process. You're going to have to show up with poise and confidence, go on camera knowing you've done it, do the interview, do the presentation. [16:33] with the poise, knowing you have done all this work. And then we always say you pray. And this is continuously throughout, you know, just trusting God, asking God for guidance. But those were the four Ps that I had to use every single time I was racing that proved successful 99% of the time when I didn't run the backstretch too fast and I maintained my pace, I was really able to be successful and to cross the finish line first.

So I love that strategy and the parallel to [17:03] It's amazing. [17:04] Because I only had one P. I ran the 400 one time and it was pass out. Because as soon as I crossed over, it was a wrap. I was out. And I said, I'll go throw the discus and do the 100. And I was good. I was good. It's funny. That's a good one. No, no, but amazing. And so we talked a lot about [17:24] what you've done in track. And I want to go to the segment I call hot tape.

[17:31] So I'm going to give you, [17:33] a hot take right now. And I'm gonna look at the camera when I do this. So you've heard a lot of Sonya's accolades. [17:39] Right. Can't be touched. Here's a hot take. As much as you think she accomplished and track. [17:45] She's even better. [17:47] Off the Track. [17:48] Um, Sonny, I told you this when I met you for your show, Beyond the Curve, by the way, go make sure you're checking that out. Yes, thank you. But, um... [17:59] Seeing you in action in the business world.

[18:02] and the team and family you've surrounded yourself with. [18:06] It's so impeccable. I don't know. [18:10] Many better leaders of people. [18:14] than you because of a few things. [18:17] And in no order. But when I think of you, [18:20] This is the truth. I think of excellence. [18:24] I think of standards. [18:26] I think of family. [18:28] And I think... [18:30] Getting it done. [18:31] Those are the four things that I think about you, right? [18:35] outside of track. How did what you did in track and the dominance that you had in the standards that you have?

How did that [18:44] work for you. [18:46] When track was done. Yeah. And it's like, [18:49] hey, I still have more things I want to accomplish. Right. And I would say, [18:56] recognizing you, [18:57] For me personally, for the things you've done [19:01] Off. [19:02] The track? [19:03] is what I'm most proud of for you. Thank you so much. I really appreciate that. I also truly appreciate, um, [19:10] I remember when I had a mentor years ago and he said to me, [19:15] You have to think of like three or four pillars of your brand.

I was still running when he was telling me this. And he was like, you know, what are the things that are important to you? And so I had those things in my mind. And then he says, okay, those are the things you want to present to the world and everything that you're doing. Everything that you're doing, you want to show that. So the fact that you literally said four things of which three of those things were on my list. Really? Yes, excellence, family. [19:37] So when I did this a few years ago, I wanted to show people I was excellent, family, and not get it done.

My word in my head was like, I think it was completion or one of those words. And so for you to be able to regurgitate to me the very same things that I hoped to put out there, it just means so much to me because it means that I've done a pretty good job of really trying to set those standards. Yeah. [20:02] For me, Mick, I remember when I was in high school, my dad said to me, as I was like [20:08] My career was... [20:10] going great. I was the high school athlete of the year.

[20:13] Broke the high school national record that still stands today in the 400. I mean, things were going really well for me on the track. And my dad said, Santa, I never want you to be one dimensional. I want you to always see yourself beyond being a track and field athlete. And so ever as early as that, I remember always thinking to myself, [20:30] How will these skills that I am developing and honing, how will I be able to use them post-track and field? How will these skills serve me in whatever I choose to do next?

And so in my final year of my career in 2016, I remember being extremely intentional about my transition because I knew I was going to retire that year because I had had three surgeries on my right big toe after London. So I won the Olympics effectively on a broken big toe. My doctor had wanted me to have surgery prior to the Olympics. And I was like, no, I'm not taking that risk. [21:00] because my first surgery was not successful. I was out all of 2013. [21:04] I think a super long story short, I had three surgeries before the 2016 Olympics.

And so I felt to myself, my quality of life is equally important to me. I don't want to keep doing this thing that could potentially cause me even further damage. So I knew I was going to retire in 2016. And so that entire year, I was really intentional. I said this prayer the entire year. I said, God, thank you so much for this incredible gift that has allowed me to see the entire world. But I know that every blessing is not meant to last a lifetime. And so I'm [21:32] God, as I give this gift back to you, I pray that you leave all the good stuff with me, all the memories, all the lessons as I begin to see myself as more than an athlete.

And so that whole year I'm like, you know, OK, what do I love to do? I knew I love television. I knew that I love business. I knew I loved, you know, bringing people together. And so when the commentator, who is my now colleague, Lewis Johnson, interviewed me after my final race, he said to me, what will you do next? You dominated on the track. What can we see you do next? And Mick, I had thought about it for a whole year. [22:02] write a book and I want to start commentating.

And I literally wrote three books. I was in the commentating booth three days after that interview and I got three boys. So I was able to check that full list. But [22:14] to make a long answer very short, make, I think it was my intentionality. You know, I didn't wait for life to happen. I didn't wait for the retirement and then start thinking, okay, what will I do next? I was intentional two years prior to retirement and especially the last year about, okay, how do I parlay all of these things?

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It's truckers. Who unites baristas with coffee beans? Truckers. [23:45] Who unites dogs with their favorite shoe toy? Truckers. That's why Progressive offers truckers even more protection with Cargo Plus coverage to keep truckers moving right along. Quote truck insurance today in as little as eight minutes at com. [23:59] progressive casualty insurance company and affiliates coverage subject to policy terms, limits and conditions not yet available in California, New York and Virginia. I tell you, everything that I learned in track and field has a place in business. I have, you know, the resiliency, the hard work, the determination, the focus, the delayed gratification, all of it, you know, it shows up in my business world.

And I'm just so grateful. I'm so grateful for the experiences. I love all of that. And, you know, I kind of talked about beyond the curve at [24:28] a moment ago. Talk to us about starting that show and why you wanted to do it and what you see happening with that going into the future. Yeah. So I was very, very fortunate to have Mick on my show. This is going to be the first season of the show. And once again, this show is an answered prayer. I asked God, I really wanted to have my own show and I wasn't sure if it would be a podcast or a TV show, but I knew that I wanted to have conversations like this with great [24:58] talk about things that felt really authentic to me.

And so the show is called Beyond the Curve because I talk to people who have pushed beyond that first curve in their life, which means to me, they have done this incredible thing that they loved, but yet they continue to push beyond and continue to do great things. And so- [25:15] The show is slated to start this fall. I got a call, make a random call from Scripps Network, and they were like, hey, we want to put together this show. Would you be interested? And what I loved was that they allowed me to have a lot of creative input.

So I'm executive producer on the show. So the show starts with I open up the show, tell them who my guests are, have wonderful guests. And I have this moment at the end where I share some insights and inspirations based on what I've learned or what the kind of the theme of the show was. [25:40] And so it's everything I would have wanted. And I'm so excited about it. And I feel like it's just going to continue to grow and grow and get better and better. But thank you for being a guest on my show and bringing your insights.

It was phenomenal. I'm really excited about it. No, I love it. And I can't wait for it to come out again. Beyond the Curve, everybody make sure that you're going to go view that. Thank you. Leave, send some great comments, reach out like you're going to love it. Just trust me, I'm not going to give too much away. I promise you're going to love it. Yeah, it's going to be great. Thank you. [26:10] So saying this fourth [26:12] segment called The Room. [26:17] For every great person that I know, [26:20] There was a room, a meeting, a dinner, a conversation.

Yeah. Yeah. [26:25] That really changed their outlook on their business, their career, their profession. Was there a room or a moment that you can look back at and say it was that? [26:38] introduction it was that dinner it was that conversation yeah that catapulted whether it was your athletic career your business career whatever [26:46] Such a good question. The first one that comes to mind, once again, was a conversation with my father. So I was it was after my junior year in high school. And I had been, you know, running really well my whole life, won almost every race I ran in.

But my junior year, I suffered my first like really like major injury. I had pulled my hamstring muscle at the state championship and didn't compete as well. [27:16] but I didn't run well because I wasn't healthy. And so I remember, I'll never forget, I was in the car with my dad. We were driving home from one of our final summer trainings. And he says, San, do you want to be great? [27:25] And I said, yeah, of course. Why else would I be doing this? And he says, no, baby, do you really want to be great?

[27:31] And it was the first time, Mick, that I realized that being great was not just going to happen because I was extremely talented. It was only going to happen if I was intentional about doing all the things to get there. And I remember my senior year, I mean, I was doing a thousand sit-ups every day, five days a week. I started doing stadium stairs before practice. It was the first time I started to watch other athletes who had competed, the Mary-José Parex in the 400 from France who had won, Kathy Freeman, like all the greats in my event.

[28:01] okay, this is what it's really going to take. It's not just going to happen by chance. And so I'm [28:06] I would say for me, that was... [28:09] a room, my dad's car, you know, where we had this conversation that really opened my eyes to what it really took to be great and to be excellent. And I would say that's the first one. I would also say [28:21] The second one in my kind of business and career, there's this woman that I just have so much admiration for. Her name is Bozema St.

John. Yeah. And I had a wonderful opportunity to meet her many years ago. I want to say I was probably like maybe two or three years out of retirement. And we had this conversation and it wasn't anything so much that she said. It was just her presence. [28:45] And I remember saying to myself, wow, like this woman has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world. And what I loved so much was how she showed up so authentically. You know, I feel like. [28:56] especially sometimes as black women, we feel this need to conform a bit, you know, to show up to be more, um, [29:04] you know, [29:05] I guess I don't say manageable, but just where people can take us.

Right. Like we I don't know if I'm expressing that to you well, but, you know, it's like you're constantly trying to fit in or to. And one thing that Bo showed me was. [29:17] you can show up fully authentically in these rooms and they need you there. [29:21] They need you there. And I feel like she just gave me permission to do that, you know, just being in her presence. And so now when I go to rooms or when I have experiences, I'm, [29:31] I show up fully myself, my hair the way I want it, outfits the way I want it, my big hoops, fully showing up as who I am.

And I feel like that has served me so much as well in my career. And it was because of her. It was just being with her and seeing her and seeing how she moved that really inspired me. And she still inspires me to this day. She's one of my mentors and really good friends. And I just – [29:51] I really appreciate her for the way she shows up. I love that a lot. And here again, I'm going to give you [29:57] A lot of credit on things you don't talk about But the world needs to understand I want everybody to really understand [30:04] Come close on this one.

You do so much. [30:08] For others. [30:10] That goes unrecognized. [30:12] Because you don't do it for recognition. And... [30:16] Again, I applaud you for that because... [30:19] I'm just going to be honest. These are the words of Mick and Mick only. So don't take it any other way. But there are people who, [30:25] That every time they do something, there's a camera there. There's an article written about it. [30:30] that's not you and and where i want to go with this [30:33] is here. [30:35] You also are creating rooms.

[30:38] in moments and conversations for others. Thank you. [30:41] What's the criteria? [30:44] to get in a room with sand and and by that i mean where do you look for [30:49] When you want to mentor someone. Yeah. Yeah. When you're doing things again that people don't know about with with mothers and single parents out in the community or you're doing things to activate youth. Right. Or you're doing things to get people into track and field. Yeah. Again, the things that you do that you don't. [31:06] ask credit for. I want the world to know that those things are happening.

What does it take to be a mentee of Sam? So, you know, another great question. So there are two things that I'm really passionate about that I get to do. One is, like you said, with mothers. So I have, I founded an organization called Mommy Nation about eight years ago that specifically supports Black moms on their motherhood journey. And about four years ago, we started our nonprofit [31:36] homeless moms. We've also tried to do our part with the Black maternal mortality crisis and help families who've been affected by that as well.

And so in that space, when I think about [31:46] the women I like to be in rooms with, they're just, I love being around moms, especially single moms, because I just can't imagine how hard it is to be a single mom and to continue to be the best version of yourself while also showing up for this little human that you love so much. And so I'm [32:05] I love being around moms and trying to help them and to inspire them and to connect them and give them resources. That's something that I truly, truly enjoy.

And then I love, love, love young people, especially young girls. There's a statistic that between the age of seven and 14, that young girls fall out of sports. [32:24] twice as more, you know, as 50 times more than, 50% more than boys do. And so I'm [32:31] A lot of times that's because I think young girls are like trying to find their identity and they don't always feel like their femininity necessarily fits inside of sports. I think women have done a much better job of showing them that you can be all of those things, but it still happens at a much higher rate than for young for boys.

And so my desire is always to inspire young girls to stay in sports. I don't care how talented you are. I just think sports is such a great life teacher. [33:01] how to set goals, all of those things. And so I love being around young women. And so everything that I can do, whether there is through they DM me and we connect or I have a mom who has a friend who has a daughter, I'm on FaceTime all the time talking to young girls and just, you know, trying to do everything that I can to inspire them.

And also through my content, like I really try to do, you know, the best that I can to stay very positive and to encourage people in that way. But I am a people person. I love being around people. So it's very easy to connect with me. [33:31] inspired about and you think that there is synergies, it's not very hard to get in a room with me because I just love connecting with people. Yeah. So the latest foundation or nonprofit, [33:45] Let's give the name of that again. Yes. And I'm going to make sure that it's scrolling here.

We'll have links in our show notes and descriptions. Awesome. But what's the name? It's Mommy Nation Gives. So M-O-M-M-I Nation Gives. We've raised over $300,000 towards supporting homeless moms in our community. And like I said, also mentioning helping the black mortality crisis. So we've helped a couple of families who've lost the moms during childbirth and the dads are with [34:15] moms on that. But ultimately, the goal is to just continue to help the community by helping moms who have different needs to be able to keep thriving. And so, yeah, so that's a huge passion of mine.

Nike has been a great supporter of our organization. And some of my other sponsors, Crunchmaster, Superfeet, they really help us out a lot. So it's been really great. [34:36] This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever think about switching insurance companies to see if you could save some cash? Progressive makes it easy to see if you could save when you bundle your home and auto policies. [34:48] Try it at com. [34:50] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and Affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states. [34:59] I'll be honest, shopping for clothes is not my favorite thing.

I just want to look good without overthinking it. Stitch Fix makes it easy. You take a quick style quiz, your size, your vibe, your budget, and a real human stylist sends a box with clothes that actually fit your life. [35:15] Try it on at home. Keep what works. Send back the rest. Shipping's free. No subscription required. Get $20 off at com slash podcast. [35:26] Cool. So I have a challenge. [35:28] For everybody that's watching or listening to this episode, [35:32] Um... [35:36] For me, I want you to support. [35:38] The Foundation.

[35:40] Um, [35:42] And here's what I'm going to do. [35:46] the whole month of July. [35:49] Whatever's collected, I'm going to match. [35:52] But I need you to... [35:56] If you're watching, if you're listening, [35:59] Send San and I a message on LinkedIn or Instagram, sorry, on Instagram. [36:06] Tag us both. [36:09] So that I can confirm it. And then I'm going to match whatever you give. [36:15] Because it's that important and hold me accountable. Yeah. [36:19] I know you will. Yes. Um, [36:21] Because here's why. When people think of nonprofits and foundations, you know, they think that it's got to be huge numbers.

[36:29] Every... [36:30] Dollar matters. [36:33] Where's the foundation? Where are you located? Here in Atlanta. So the foundation is located here. If you're in the Atlanta area, and I know that we have 100,000 viewers and listeners in Atlanta. Wow. [36:44] You can donate your time. Yeah. [36:47] Because that is just as important as dollars. [36:52] being available, being present, [36:55] matters the most. And again, I'm only a couple of hours from here. I'm going to come down to, I'll have my sister, my mom, and we're going to do that because, [37:06] It's moments like these that truly...

[37:09] impact lives yeah not even just change lives but i'm all about impacting lives yeah [37:14] And you impact by action. And there's no one that does more action than you. And I want to make sure you're getting the love that you deserve for that. And so we want to support. Oh, my goodness. Thank you so much. That means so, so much to us. And like you said, the lives of the women, make some of these moms that we have had in our community. [37:33] I don't want to get emotional about it, but it just sometimes takes just a little bit of love, a little bit of support to completely change their lives.

And the most incredible thing about when you impact the life of a mom is that you're impacting the life of a family. Correct. And so it's just it's really been beautiful. And that truly means a lot to us. Thank you so, so very much. I got you. And I mean, hold me accountable to it. I know you will. I said it on film, so I'm going to do it. You are a man of integrity, so I know. Thank you so much. No, it means that much to me. [38:03] story in my past.

And so like, I, yeah, [38:05] That touches me and I want to support and do my part to make sure that it's thriving and that lives can be impacted. Absolutely. Thank you so much. Cool. So I'm going to get you out of here. [38:15] On my unplugged five. [38:19] Rapid fire. Okay. [38:21] Gotta go. Okay. Ready? I'm ready. Who's the better cook you were in? [38:27] oh depends on it's on the meal but my husband will throw down now i'm gonna give him the love yep i'm gonna give it to my husband yeah i'm coming over coming over hey i'm coming over excuse me excuse me so sorry [38:41] Nope.

[38:41] I'm coming over. Coming over for a meal. All right. [38:46] Who was your personal nemesis in the 400? Ah, I would have to say Christina Arugu from Great Britain. So in 2008, when I lost the gold medal, she won gold. And then I won gold in London and she got the silver. So, yeah, that was definitely my big nemesis in the 400. Good stuff. Good stuff. If you did not do the 400, Mm hmm. [39:13] What event would you have done? Definitely the hundred. Really? Yeah. And I was actually really make the plan was for me to go.

I was supposed to run the 400 once my senior year after all of the research and go back to the one to broke all the records. My dad was like, I think we should stay here. I was like, no, but I always said the 400 found me, but yes, I would have definitely been a short sprinter. There you go. I love it. I love it. What's one thing that motherhood taught you about you? [39:39] Because for me, fatherhood taught me patience. I had to learn that way. Yes, that is very true.

It's taught me unconditional love. [39:47] unconditional love I mean I just I can't imagine how much God loves us because the love I have for my boys it's just there's nothing they can do I just love them to death so I would say truly truly unconditional love okay so last one [40:02] As the story of sand continues to be written. [40:07] And we're on the last page, the last paragraph, the last sentence. [40:12] What's one word you want to make sure is there to define you? [40:17] Oh my goodness, Meg.

That is a good one. I'm sorry. Oh my goodness. What is one word that I hope is there to describe me? [40:28] I would say... [40:33] Hmm. [40:36] The word that just keeps coming in my head is just love. [40:39] Like, I hope that people would have always felt loved around me, supported. They felt God's love in me. So, yeah, I think that word would be love. There we go. There we go. Sam, I'm so honored to have you here. It means the world that you were here. [40:55] You know, I'm a huge fan of you.

Again, you know, [40:57] Everything you're on the track, amazing. But what you have done off and what you're continuing to do, [41:03] Just makes my heart smile. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And to all the viewers and listeners, remember, your because is your superpower. Go Unleashed. [41:22] There's nothing like my American Express Platinum card. I love that I can earn hotel credits when I travel. I can also earn resi credits, so you know I'm hitting the restaurants everyone's talking about. Plus, with the digital entertainment credit, I'm even more excited to catch my favorite shows.

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