"I felt like I had to protect my emotions" - Sha'Carri Richardson on achieving emotional stability through faith & spirituality

Sha'Carri Richardson revealed that she had to learn to protect herself from emotions to understand and achieve emotional stability. The American sprinter competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, winning a maiden Olympic gold medal.

Richardson graced the January-February issue of Essence magazine following the Games, stealing the limelight in a series of stylish dresses and eye-catching poses. The 24-year-old spoke about her spiritual elevation in an interview with the publication afterward, claiming that she had grown closer to her family and her feminine side.

“I feel like in my spirituality, I’m aligning myself with keeping my faith. When it comes to my family, I’ve grown closer to them. I love the fact that in areas of my feminine side, I’m thriving. Connecting with my family, with my relationship, just different things that—I know if I wasn’t an athlete, these things would still make me me," she explained

The world champion added that she had to protect her emotions to understand and achieve emotional stability.

"I felt like I had to protect my emotions, because I had to protect everything else around me first. And so I definitely feel like now, emotional stability is not a defense. Emotional stability is understanding myself—and expressing myself in a way that it can be received," Sha'Carri Richardson added

Richardson dealt with a major blow early on in her career at the 2021 U.S. Olympics Trials. Less than a week after qualifying for her maiden Olympics, she was announced to have tested positive for THC (cannabis) and was awarded a one-month suspension.

Over the next few years, she was dragged down with dopping questions before the 24-year-old redeemed herself at the 2023 World Championships and the 2024 Paris Olympics, winning gold medals at each of the global competitions.

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What to expect from Sha'Carri Richardson’s 2025 track and field season?

Athletics - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 14 - Source: Getty

Sha'Carri Richardson was at her best in the first half of the 2024 season, running the world’s fastest time of the year, 10.71s at the U.S. Olympic Trials in June. The 24-year-old struggled with her blocks through the rest of the season, costing her a gold medal in the women's 100m at the Paris Olympics and the 100m Diamond League title.

Richardson lost both of the coveted titles to Julien Alfred, who has emerged as the American’s toughest opponent so far. The two are expected to face each other several times in the 2025 season, and Richardson would hope to avenge the losses by vying for a win at the 100m title in the World Championships in Tokyo.

In contrast to most of the American sprinters, Sha'Carri Richardson hasn't signed with any professional league yet. While she is expected to compete in Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track, at least as a challenger if she doesn't sign as a racer, the 24-year-old’s participation in Athlos NYC remains doubtful after missing the inaugural season in September 2024.