"I got terrified when I didn’t get enough sleep"- Gabby Thomas explains how Harvard's neurobiology course made her more appreciative of her body

Gabby Thomas claimed that studying neurobiology made her more appreciative of her body, helping her understand the importance of small daily routines such as sleeping. The Olympic champion studied the subject while pursuing her undergraduate degree at Harvard University.

Thomas arguably had the best season of her professional career in 2024, winning three gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She made her Olympic debut at the Tokyo Olympics and while she took home two medals in 2021, a gold was missing from her tally.

The 27-year-old was the favorite for the 200m gold and won it nearly unchallenged in 21.83s. She competed in the 4x100m and 4x400m women's relays as well, running third legs for Team USA in both finals. Thomas was at her usual best and left Paris with three gold medals shining around her neck.

She was recently announced as the Grand Marshal for the 2024 New York City Marathon, and speaking ahead of the competition day on November 3, Thomas opened up about the importance of her neurobiology degree on the podcast 'Set Your Pace'.

"I took this Neuro course on the power of meditation and found what actually changed neuro pathways in your brain and how it made a difference. I took a course and did a project on neuroplasticity, so I understood how different muscle movements that you practice and use routinely can actually just make it easier when you go to training every day and want to do it," she said [10:10 onwards].

Thomas added that after learning about her body, she became appreciative to the point of freaking out if she hadn't slept the night before her practice.

"I did have that appreciation and I started to study sleep a lot more and I got terrified if I didn't get enough sleep the night before practice what was gonna happen because I understood it so deeply. I took those things very very seriously and I do think those small things made such a difference," Gabby Thomas added.

---

"My foundation for success" - Gabby Thomas credits education for her success on the track

The Olympic Games-Paris 2024 - Gabby Thomas in action (Source: Getty)

Gabby Thomas didn't have any idea she was going to be an Olympic sprinter when she took the neurobiology course at Harvard University. However, she eventually became one in the coming years, a highly successful one, and has now credited her success to education.

"I always say education has been my foundation for success- it opens doors and empowers us to chase our dreams. Stay curious, stay driven, and never stop learning!!" she recently posted on X

Thomas was one of the most well-educated athletes among the current sprinters and after finishing her master's degree at the University of Texas last year, she has a PhD in her plans as well.