ATLANTA — Sanya Richards-Ross is a decorated athlete whose career has seen many forms.
An Olympic gold medalist, sports analyst, reality TV star, and a businesswoman - Richards-Ross said the roles that shine brightest are being a wife and mother.
She shared what her journey has looked liked and why other women shouldn't be intimidated in following their hearts.
Becoming a track star
Born in Jamaica, Richards-Ross' love for track and field began at a young age. Determined to become an Olympic champion, she pursued her passion relentlessly. Her dedication paid off as she went on to win four Olympic gold medals, competing in the 4x400 meter relays in Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
"I fell in love with track when I was 7," she explained. "When I was 9, I told my teacher I'd be an Olympic champion - and the rest is kind of history."
It took a pivotal moment at 16 years old to turn her after-school hobby into a career.
"My dad was like, 'do you want to be great?' and I was like, 'of course,'" she recalled. "But I realized that in that moment that he was challenging me, that it wasn't to just happen because I was naturally talented. If I want to be great, I have to really commit to it and be intentional about it."
From that point forward, she embodied a champion's mentality.
"I did a thousand sit ups every day," she described. "I started watching films - like I was fully committed to this sport."
Winning for women
Richards-Ross said her success is a win for all women.
"One of my biggest goals and desires and aspirations as I was competing and beyond is to inspire, especially young women to see greatness in themselves," she emphasized.
She said her career represents the beauty of Black excellence. On and off the track, she champions authenticity and self-expression, breaking free from societal expectations.
"It's nice to see for Black women who are embracing themselves authentically and showing up with all of who they are," she said. "They're not like conforming to what they think they should say or should do - should look like and I feel that was a burden that we carried when I was in sports."
A gold medalist's take on motherhood
While her Olympic titles are significant, the elite athlete cherishes her roles as a wife and mother above all else. Parenting a 6-year-old son and a newborn, she said motherhood is it's own journey but not separate to who she is as a competitor.
"I think I have set a great precedent for young women to not have to choose, like there was always this burden of like, you got to do this first or do that," she explained. "And now they've made space for you. You can do both. You know, if you're halfway through your career, Naomi Osaka, and you want to have a baby, go for it, and you can come back."
She wants other mothers to feel supported to make space for their passions and their family. Driven by her values, the Olympian founded MommiNation, a virtual community providing support and solidarity for Black mothers.
"I wanted to create this space where moms could come, where they could feel safe, where they could feel seen, they could feel heard," she said.
An Olympian's message to young women
Richards-Ross' story is one of resilience, determination, and unwavering belief in oneself. She doesn't want other women to be intimidated by the success they could achieve.
"I think you just need permission to fail. A lot of people are more afraid of failing than they are afraid of winning," she said. "And I think that's what holds the majority of people back. And so I think that when people understand it's OK to fail, it's okay to try something, and it doesn't work for you to learn from that and to fail forward."
She added that goals can change and to not be nervous about a change in trajectory.
Richards-Ross is now celebrating another major victory.
She recently launched a loungewear line that has become an official partner with TEAM USA, further solidifying her influence both on and off the track.