"Pinned my entire sense of self-worth on being a winner" - When Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone opened up on how Olympics left her susceptible to fear

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, in her memoir 'Far Beyond Gold,' shared her younger self's understanding of the connection between her self-worth and her success on the track. She revealed that from an early age, she viewed winning not merely as an achievement but as a definition of her identity and value.

The 25-year-old recalled watching the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics as an eight-year-old and getting captivated by the spectacle. Envisioning herself as a future gold medalist, she imagined running alongside icons like Allyson Felix and Sanya Richards-Ross. That moment sparked a belief in her young mind that victory wasn't just a goal but a necessary affirmation of her worth.

As years passed, the pressures of change and self-discovery enhanced the mindset. Success on the track became a source of stability, cementing her narrative that winning was essential to prove her value to herself and others. Early victories in the youth competitions reinforced the idea. Reflecting on the balance between Olympic success and self-identity, she wrote in her book (published in January 2024):

"Since the competitive track scene is relatively small, I had raced against most of them before. It was all controllable and seemingly guaranteed to give me the outcome that would affirm my value. I'd pinned my entire sense of self-worth on being a winner. I had no idea at the time that there was another way to live. And that left me susceptible to fear."

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone clinched two gold medals in the 400m hurdles and the 4x400m relay. She also set a world record (50.37 seconds) in the 400m hurdles.

Reflecting on her journey, she recently shared insights into her evolution from her debut at the Rio Games to her success in Paris.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone reflects on her journey from her debut at 2016 Rio Olympics to 2024 Paris Olympics

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone at World Athletics Awards 2024 - Source: Getty

Appearing on 'The Jennifer Hudson Show' in September 2024, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone reflected on her journey from her debut at the 2016 Rio Olympics to her triumph at the 2024 Paris Games. She talked about her evolution as an athlete.

She recalled being merely 17 years old at the Rio Olympics when she entered the global stage, with little experience and no clear understanding of its challenges. The 25-year-old described her first Olympic experience as overwhelming and challenging.

However, she highlighted how competing in Tokyo and her overall career growth had provided invaluable lessons, shaping her into a more seasoned and prepared athlete.

During the interview, Jennifer Hudson asked her (via The Jennifer Hudson Show's official Instagram handle):

"You wrote you had a hard time at the Rio Olympics. How's the first compare with your third in the Paris Olympics?" (0:01 onwards)

"At Rio, I was 17 years old. And was thrown into the world stage, not knowing what to expect. I think I've learned so much since then that now I can understand what it takes to compete at this level. And so I think that experience and that in Tokyo as well, just kind of prepared me for Paris, and this was my first full Rio Olympics," the world record holder responded.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone highlighted that her third Olympics appearance (2024 Paris Games) was a turning point as she competed with greater experience and confidence.