"I just learned so much from my boyfriend, people on my team"- Masai Russell shares how life at the University of Kentucky broadened her perspective

Masai Russell recently shared how the support from her boyfriend and the people at her university helped shape her perspective towards things. She believed that having college experience was crucial to achieving success in life.

Masai Russell rose to fame following her gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the 100m hurdles, where she won by a margin of 0.01 seconds. In her early career, Russell won a bronze medal at the Pan American U20 Championships in 2019 in San José, Costa Rica. She said she was inspired to become an athlete by seeing her brother.

In an episode of the Sport Xposure podcast From Hurdles to Height, Russell discussed her struggles to reach the level she is at today and the importance of mental strength, discipline, and resilience to competing in Olympic-like events.

Moreover, she shared how her college experience helped her achieve personal and athletic level growth.

In the podcast, the interviewer asked (via Sports Xposure Podcast on YouTube):

"Growing up now, going to college, you kind of see people from different backgrounds, what did that do for you, specifically growing up?" (at 5:10)

In response, the 24-year-old urged everyone to attend college as it had personally helped her broaden her perspectives.

"Everyone should experience going to college at least for one year. I just learned so much from my boyfriend. Like other people on my team, like being from just all over the world, sometimes like being from across the country or across the world. You're going to learn something; you're going to pick up certain things that you wouldn't learn or have known or have seen if you didn't go to school," Masai said (at 5:19).

During an earlier podcast in October, Masai Russell opened up on how she received support from her boyfriend during mentally challenging times. She also mentioned how her coaches and teammates taught her the importance of self-improvement and disregarding external pressures.

---

Masai Russell gets honored by University of Kentucky fans after 2024 Paris Olympics success

Masai Russell at Athletics event - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 15 - Source: Getty

In September, the University of Kentucky, from which Russell graduated in 2022, celebrated her win at Olympic 2024. The University's sports fans, also known as 'Big Blue Nation,' honored her at the Kroger Field following her sensational Olympics campaign.

Speaking to Michelle Knezovic of Republic Bank, Russell expressed her feelings about being back in Kentucky and said (via UK Sports Network on X, formerly Twitter):

"It means everything. It's just, the stadium is so electric, the fans are electric, everyone is just showing me so much love. I just feel so happy, so grateful to be back, especially in a place where all started," Masai Russell said (at: 0:09).

The Big Blue Nation was formed to celebrate the achievements of the University of Kentucky athletes, most prominently football and basketball players. It is a fan base that grew its popularity among fans from across the states to support their team.