Britton Wilsons journey is a captivating transformation rewriting the narrative.
Her journey began in eighth grade, and she has evolved into a record-breaking high school athlete.
Witness these two trailblazers discuss life, sports, and the future in this exclusive feature.
Individual image: Jamison Michael / Team Image: Kirby Lee / Design by Channing Smith
Allyson Felix: Britton, congratulations on everything!
What sparked your interest in track?
Was it a childhood dream or something that evolved over time?
Britton Wilson:Track was not always a childhood dream.
My older sister was the one into track and basketball.
I was more focused on dance, gymnastics, and cheerleading.
My family had a strong tradition of dance and cheer, so I wanted to follow in their footsteps.
Competitive cheer became a big part of my lifewith my mom by my sideduring middle and high school.
It was tough to give up cheer, but I eventually did.
Thats such a unique journey, especially for professionals and Olympians.
And I love that you were able to transition and find passion.
Do you still have a love for dance?
Does it continue to be a part of your life?
I adore dance and cheer.
I always catch every dance competition on TV or the cheerleading world on ESPN.
I often say I hope my future child wants to be a cheerleader before considering track and field.
Whats it been like finding harmony between all your responsibilities?
Its challenging, especially in the world of track and field.
But over time Ive come to appreciate the balance.
Ive developed a deep passion for my sport and education, striving to improve myself.
I realized that these sacrifices were necessary for my goals, and it doesnt feel negative anymore.
Its crucial to highlight what you mentioned.
What motivated you to pursue this challenging goal, and how did you overcome adversity?
It definitely had its challenges, especially with all the doubts and noise from the outside.
But my coach and I had faith in my abilities, which really fueled my ambition.
The fact that its not something everyone in the sport attempts was a big motivator for me.
I just went out there to give it my all.
I went into it with pure determination and excitement, without feeling nervous or pressured.
My ambition simply came from wanting to take on a unique and challenging aspect of the sport.
Achieving it has been a truly thrilling experience.
Dealing with outside opinions and all that noise can be a real struggle, especially for many women.
Its like everyones got an opinion, and sometimes it feels impossible to tune it all out.
How did you handle it?
Oh, I totally get what youre saying!
Social media, like Instagram and TwitterI was on those platforms way too much.
But my coach had a heart-to-heart with me.
He said, You dont need all that noise.
He pointed out that even when you get the good stuff, its often accompanied by negativity.
I even ended up deleting Twitter.
It was hard, but it was a game changer.
Just shutting out the noise and focusing on my goals alongside my coachs guidance made all the difference.
Its great to see you have those healthy boundaries and support.
We all know ourselves best, what we can handle, and when we need help navigating it all.
Oh, its been a journey for sure.
That mindset stayed with me until last year or this past season.
Its a double-edged sword, you know?
I faced quite a lot during that time, and it made me realize the importance of celebrating myself.
So this year Ive truly found joy in celebrating myself.
Its great to see your resilience, even when faced with challenges.
Can you tell us more about the difficulties youve encountered this year?
Its been a mix of physical and mental challenges, and they ended up feeding into each other.
I tried to push through the pain, but sometimes it became unbearable.
Honestly, I didnt even realize the extent of my suffering until it became too much.
What surprised me most was how it impacted me mentally.
I had to cross-train, swim, and bike, but I wasnt finding joy in those activities.
Feeling left out and falling behind, even though I knew I wasnt truly behind, was disheartening.
Well, its clear that you deserve this rest right now.
Your openness about the struggles you faced, both physically and mentally, is really important.
It can inspire others to prioritize their mental health, happiness, and joy.
My family and my best friends have been my biggest support.
I tend to isolate myself during tough times and struggle to reach out for help.
So having people who pushed help onto me when I was hesitant to ask was exactly what I needed.
I also received tremendous support from our athletic trainers.
Just having someone consistently check in made a world of difference.
And my sisters were there for me at outdoor Nationals when I wasnt performing well due to pain.
I was really disappointed, and they both cried with me.
Their presence validated my emotions, and knowing I had that kind of support meant everything to me.
What would you say to them?
Id say, Be ready for the challenges, but dont shy away from them.
Itll test you mentally and push you physically.
However, its also incredibly rewarding.
Youll learn, grow, meet amazing people, and have experiences you’ll cherish.
Embrace the struggle, and you might just discover joy in it.
Its clear youre in a great place, confident and empowered.
Im curious, where does that sense of empowerment come from, both on and off the field?
Id say my empowerment stems from the hardships and struggles Ive faced.
It makes me feel hopeful for what lies ahead.
This sense of empowerment comes from knowing I can handle whatever life throws at me.
Im always looking at those who have accomplished what I aspire to do one day.
They inspire me to become a better and stronger version of myself.
Its really inspiring to see how youre learning and growing through all the challenges and hardships.
Its clear that these experiences will only make you stronger and take you further.
Id call it the era of growth.
So its definitely an era of growth for me.
