"I got so addicted to that feeling"- Gabby Thomas reveals how she felt a sense of belonging among 'extraordinary' people

Gabby Thomas won three gold medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics and took the track and field by storm. Thomas, who specialized in 100m and 200m races, discussed several things on “2 Miles with Olympic Sprinter Gabby Thomas” with Mackz, influencer and YouTuber.

In one of the segments, Thomas revealed how she felt the challenges and overcame them with consistent hard work.

“Being at Harvard and being at a D1 program, I mean, I was exposed to people who were just all around better than me," Thomas said. "They were people in the rooms that are smarter than me; they were more athletic than me and so I just felt so defeated a lot of the time.

"So I think it was just being in those spaces with such extraordinary people and then realizing that putting my head down and through hard work, I also belong in those spaces and I proved that to myself. I just—I got so addicted to that feeling and I just want to show everyone else that they can also do that.” [7:55 onwards]

Gabby Thomas was named the Ivy League's Most Outstanding Track Performer twice in a row and competed at two World Championships. She won one gold and one silver medal at Budapest, Hungary, in 2023.

Gabby Thomas shares the role of support in her “empowering” journey

Gabby Thomas at The Olympic Games-Paris 2024 - Source: Getty

The two-time Olympian and five-time Olympic medallist, Gabby Thomas shared her mantra. Thomas reflected that having a support system helps one in attaining goals.

“For me being surrounded by people that are uplifting and supportive and empowering really fuels me and it definitely has gotten to me where I am today," Thomas said via NBC Sports. "I've always been surrounded by that kind of energy and that type of support system, especially in Cambridge and especially here in Austin.” [0:15 onwards]

Thomas not only shines on track but also when it comes to education. She has graduated from Harvard University. Thomas studied neurobiology and global health. She did her Master of Public Health in epidemiology from the University of Texas.

While at Harvard, Thomas successfully took multiple conference titles, school records and Ivy League records under her name. Emerging as a prominent athlete, she aims to “run a healthcare facility” that is benevolent to provide healthcare facilities to all areas.