"When I retire, I want to stay in that space"- Gabby Thomas opens up about her plans after bidding goodbye to track in the future

Gabby Thomas said that she wanted to continue her work in healthcare following retirement from track and field. Thomas is currently headed to the 2025 track season after a successful 2024 season in which she won Olympic gold medals.

Gabby Thomas, who graduated with neurobiology and global health from Harvard University, pursued a master's in public health degree in epidemiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Besides running on the track and competing in collegiate competitions, Thomas ensured proper time investment in studies.

While training for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Thomas worked at an Austin volunteer healthcare clinic for people without insurance. In Paris, she won three gold medals in the 200m, 4x100m, and 4x400m relay events, followed by fashionable exploits and award show appearances besides brand campaigns.

In a recent candid conversation with Kate Mackz, she expressed her wish to continue working in hospitals or running a hospital after she retires from her sport.

"I currently volunteer at a healthcare clinic in Austin, Texas, and it gives healthcare to people who otherwise wouldn't have access. So, people who don't have health insurance or people who really struggle to just go and get primary healthcare. When I retire, I'd love to stay in that space, whether that's working in hospitals, running a hospital or like staying in the nonprofit space."

Thomas ended her 2024 track season at the Athlos NYC. She competed in the 200m, finishing with silver behind fellow US athlete Brittany Brown.

Gabby Thomas once stated that her additional interest in healthcare helped her shine in the track domain

Gabby Thomas relieved at the Paris Olympics (Image Source: Getty)

Thomas competed in track events in high school, but success came to her when she was a student at Harvard. Across her three years of athletics, she won 22 conference titles, including Ivy League and school records.

Balancing healthcare duties alongside competing in track events, Thomas shared how her additional interest helps her succeed on the track.

"The way I became successful in track and field was basically running track part time. And I think for me that’s really important for my mental health, just having other things in my life that helped fulfill, you know, my goals and make me feel fulfilled," she said to NBC. (June 28, 2024)

Gabby Thomas recently received the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Female of the Year award from USATF for her success at the 2024 Paris Games. She was presented the honor at the 2024 Night of Legends ceremony in Orlando.