In May, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone reflected on her relentless pursuit of improvement, saying, “There’s always something I can be doing better. There’s always someone striving to be where you are.” Even with six world records in the 400m hurdles and four Olympic gold medals to her name, she admits the journey isn’t always easy. “There’s days where I’m more motivated than others. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut or it can become monotonous, but I get to do what I love every day and I get to quite literally race a clock,” she shared. Despite her achievements, Sydney shows no signs of easing up, aiming to push her limits even further. So what fuels this unwavering drive? A deeper look into her family background might hold the answer.
Hailing from New Jersey, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone undoubtedly owes a word of thanks to the University of Kentucky for supporting her during a pivotal stage in her track journey. But beyond that, several other factors played a key role in helping her discover her true ‘calling’ in the sport — and stay committed to it. Can you guess what they might be?
In the latest episode of Ready Set Go podcast, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone opened up about her sense of ‘calling’ in sports and offered a revealing glimpse into her family’s influence. The topic came up when host Rodney Green asked her directly about how her family shaped her journey. Anticipating a potentially tricky question, Sydney opted for a lighthearted, diplomatic response. “I’m not trying to cause no issues at home right now. We’re in Philly, so we’re too close to Jersey,” she joked. “Somebody might drive down.” Still, she gave credit where it was due: “But I think, honestly, I think the speed is from my dad, but the stamina is from my mom.” Though she kept her tone playful, both Rodney and co-host Justin Gatlin weren’t ready to let it go—they wanted her to dig a little deeper.
Paris 2024 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s 400m Hurdles Final – Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France – August 08, 2024. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of United States celebrates after winning gold and setting a new world record. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
Sydney didn’t leave the track legends hanging. She elaborated, saying, “My dad was a 400, 200 sprinter. My mom ran the eighth. So, I think it really was a perfect mixture of 400 hurdles. You got that speed, you got that sprint ballistic, but you also have that stamina to jump over 10 barriers while you’re doing it. So I’m not going to pick one or the other. I think they both contributed equally to where we are.” Though her response struck a diplomatic tone, Rodney and Justin accepted it. After all, both of Sydney’s parents came from a track and field background. But that still leaves the bigger question — where did her true calling for the sport come from?
During the conversation, Sydney reflected on her early experiences in track, sharing that she never really struggled in competitions as a child. “I was a freshman, and I was like, ‘Okay, I think there’s something here. You run AAU and you’re like, yeah, you know, ‘your kid’s fast,’ but like seeing it materialize and continue to grow going into high school, I was like, I think this is something like I could really do if I trained for it and really pursued it,” she said. Her confidence and clarity at such a young age left Justin Gatlin visibly surprised — how could someone be so dominant so early on? But Sydney wasn’t done — she went on to explain further.
The four-time Olympic gold medalist eventually admitted, “I think even just seeing how much minimal training I had at that point and how that materialized so quickly, I was like, if I continue to train, I can only imagine where this goes.” Was that the moment she recognized her true ‘calling’ in the sport? Sydney nodded in agreement. And through it all, it was her parents’ unwavering love and support that kept her grounded and helped her stay the course.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s parents went through tests for their daughter
In her memoir Far Beyond Gold: Running From Fear to Faith, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone offers an intimate look into one of the most pivotal moments of her life — her move to Los Angeles in 2018. It wasn’t a leap she took alone. Her mother, Mary McLaughlin, left behind her job at Rutgers University and made the cross-country journey with her, all to ensure Sydney could launch her professional career on solid ground.
Credit: Instagram/ Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
It was a major sacrifice — living apart from her husband, splitting the family between coasts — but Mary chose to prioritize her daughter’s future. And what followed was nothing short of a joy ride. “We were like two kids on vacation. We went to the beach,” Sydney writes. “Checked off some tourist attractions. Bought my mom a new car.”
They moved into a cozy two-bedroom apartment, becoming not just closer as a family but roommates. It was a season of fresh beginnings, shared laughter, and a sense of freedom. For Sydney, it was more than just a career move — it was a moment when life felt brand new, full of promise. Together, mother and daughter embraced the unknown, chasing dreams with a renewed sense of purpose — and a whole lot of heart.
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