← Mick Unplugged
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- [00:02]
Progressive Commercial Announcer
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- [00:28]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Do you want to be great? And I said, yeah, of course. Why else would I be doing this? And he says, no, baby, do you really want to be great? And it was the first time that I realized that being great was not just going to happen because I was extremely talented. It was only going to happen if I was intentional about doing all the things to get there.
- [00:58]
Mick (Interviewer)
So. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to another. Another exciting episode of Myth Unplugged. And today, I'm honored to be sitting with someone that you know as an Olympic gold medalist, a world champion, an amazing mother, but I know her as an amazing human being. I'm talking about none other than the infamous, the Amazing, the fabulous Ms. Sonya Richards. Ross. Sonya, how you doing today, dear?
- [01:25]
Sanya Richards-Ross
I'm amazing. Mick. Thank you so much for having me. Thank you for that wonderful introduction. I'm just so excited for our conversation today.
- [01:32]
Mick (Interviewer)
I'm the honored one. You know, I feel like over the last couple of months, I've really gotten to know you. I mean, I knew who you were, what you were about. Your story. Again, the human that you are speaks volumes. I always tell people your legacy speaks when you don't have to, and the legacy that you've built and that you are continuing to build.
- [01:53]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Thank you.
- [01:53]
Mick (Interviewer)
As a mother, as a friend, as a business person, I'm just so excited to have you here.
- [01:59]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Thank you so much. That means a lot coming from you, because I just have so much admiration and respect for what you've built us. So it really means a lot.
- [02:05]
Mick (Interviewer)
Amazing. Well, you know how I always start this off and I ask about your because, that thing that's deeper than your why, and it changes.
- [02:16]
Progressive Commercial Announcer
Right?
- [02:16]
Mick (Interviewer)
And I would say for you, with motherhood, your because has probably changed. So if I were to say, Sonya, today, what's your because? Why do you keep doing the things that you do?
- [02:26]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Yeah, I know. That's how you start your show. So I was really thinking about it, and I like that you say because and not why. Because everyone says you're why. And I think because kind of feels a little bit different. As I was driving into your studio, I was like, what is my because? And I actually have three. I have three. So my because is because I have one life, because I'm a mom, and because I can. Those are the three things that I feel like are the things that excite me, that get me up every day. I have one life, and I feel very blessed to be in this life and to have this experience. And so I want to just live it to the fullest. I want to have every experience. I want to do everything that I feel like God has called me to be. So that's my because. I have one life because I'm a mom. I think that one's self explanatory. But, you know, my boys inspire me in ways I never thought possible. And I want for them to be the best that they can be. So I want them to see that example in me. I want them to feel the support, feel the love. And so they're a huge part of my because. And because I can. Because I believe that anything I put my mind to, I can do it. And so that drives me as well.
- [03:34]
Mick (Interviewer)
So I want to start with that last one. Because you can. That's a book, by the way. I'm going to go ahead and say that that is your next thing. Because you can. Because I believe in that. I know for you growing up in Jamaica and where track and field is
- [03:54]
Sanya Richards-Ross
it huge is in.
- [03:55]
Mick (Interviewer)
Is it Right. And it's one of those things. And I don't think people. And I love Jamaica. Montego Bay is my spot. Right. And I don't think people understand the culture, the love that Jamaica has. But then also there are certain times where it's like, you see visions and you're only gonna go so far. And I say the same thing in the United States, right? Like, there are places you grow up, and it's like, I'm only gonna go so far here, right. At seven. Is that where Because I can. Started?
- [04:29]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. I think. And I always say this, I feel like I got the best of both worlds. Being born in Jamaica, where track and field was the most popular sport, where black excellence was always all around me. And I mean, the person that really, really instilled in me that I could and that I would and that I could and I can was my dad. Like, I remember when I was nine years old, I wrote for a great assignment that I'd be an Olympic champion.
- [04:56]
Mick (Interviewer)
Okay?
- [04:57]
Sanya Richards-Ross
And I had no idea at the time I had set this huge goal for my life. But as early As I can remember, my dad would always say, you're gonna be a world beater. You are the best. You are the best. And I think he said it so much to the point that I started to believe in myself. And so for me, the foundation was certainly set by my environment. Being in Jamaica, seeing excellence all around me, seeing it what was possible in track and field, and then being able to migrate to the United States, where I just had access to so many great resources, incredible coaches, and, you know, I think the combination truly allowed me to live out that dream. And then once I did that, that spirit of I can has just never left.
- [05:34]
Mick (Interviewer)
Yeah, yeah, you can and you did, and you're gonna continue to do. And, you know, it's that thing that I appreciate about you. I mean, we've seen your dominance and I know you don't like to talk about it in that sense. So this is me giving you your flowers. Right? Thank you. Like, there's only been one you, right? You've accomplished things that I can honestly say no one else has. And it's that. Because I can't. That. That attitude, that mantra talk to us about, you know, now you're at the University of Texas and track and field, right, is the thing. Like Jamaica, Texas, everybody thinks football now, but I can promise you track and field is the thing at Texas University as well. Talk to us about competing at that level and finding your true sense then.
- [06:31]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Yeah, going to the University of Texas. I only competed for UT for two years before becoming professional, but they were certainly extremely important years for me when it came to seeing myself as a potential professional athlete and really understanding what it was gonna take to be the best in the. Because there are certainly levels to it, right? Like you're the best in middle school, best in high school, but to be the best in college, it really took a lot of discipline because it wasn't just only the track portion, it was the school and like managing all of those things that I think really differentiates the ones that are able to make it to the next level. And so being nurtured at the University of Texas, I credit for sure with being able to transition and have a 13 year professional career, because I started to understand how all the little things truly add up to make you, you know, the best in the world. And so, you know, from going in the weight room 6am in the morning to eating well, resting, you know, we had a nutritionist, we had massage therapists. Like, you know, they did a really good job of laying kind of the. The blueprint of what it takes to be a great athlete. And so, you know, coupling that with, obviously I was a MIS major, so my school load was also heavy. I really think all of those things prepared me for what it took to be able to build a team professional, put the right people in place to help support me, to be my best. So it was awesome. I also met the love of my life there. So, you know, to be able to
- [07:57]
Mick (Interviewer)
go to Texas, Mr. Aaron.
- [07:59]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Yes. My husband, Aaron Ross, two time Super bowl champ for the Giants. So also being able to find that kind of partnership, that kind of love and support, you know, all of those things happened for me at Texas and I look back at those as two of the best years of my life.
- [08:14]
Mick (Interviewer)
I. You know, I'm pausing because I'm a New England patriot.
- [08:19]
Sanya Richards-Ross
I'm sorry, my friend. I'm sorry.
- [08:22]
Mick (Interviewer)
Yeah. Aaron, I'm sorry, bro. We gotta talk off air. Off air. You know, 17 and 0, that perfect season you got. Okay, you triggered me a little bit. It's all right.
- [08:34]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Come back, Nick.
- [08:34]
Mick (Interviewer)
Let's come back to you. Let's come back to you. And so this next part, I called my unplugged truths, or the unplugged truth. And I'm gonna start with this truth. And I teased it a little bit. There's only one you, right? And we talk about that dominance that you had. Here's my truth. There's never been a 400 meter sprinter that has dominated track and field like you have.
- [09:11]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Thank you.
- [09:12]
Mick (Interviewer)
And when you hear that and you really take that in.
- [09:16]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Yeah.
- [09:17]
Mick (Interviewer)
Like what goes through your mind?
- [09:19]
Sanya Richards-Ross
I think about all the hard work, the people that really poured into me. I think as you get older, you really, really value those things even more. Like the coaches that sacrificed to be there. My coach recently passed away, Coach Clyde Hart, who I just love so much, thank. He coached at Baylor for 50 years. You talk about excellence and longevity and consistency. Coach Clyde Hart embodies all of those things. And I think he is the greatest 400 meter coach of all time. But when you think about the people who make the sacrifice to help you to live your dream, you know, I have a coach, Bruce Johnson. He's the one that comes to mind when I think about sacrifices. I used to train between Austin, Texas and Waco. It's about an hour and a half drive and coach Bruce Johnson was my strength coach. And he would drive to come to my training sessions on the track two or three times a week just to make sure that it was complementary to what we're doing in the Weight room and that level of commitment and sacrifice, you just don't find people that do that. And so when I think about my excellence on the track and the fact that I've run the most sub-50s ever run in history and was the. Thank you. Had the American record for 19 years and won only the second gold medal for Team USA I think about those people and their love and their sacrifice and their commitment to helping me be great, you know, and my loved ones, my mom and dad, who were there for every single track meet. My dad came to every workout.
- [10:50]
Mick (Interviewer)
Wow.
- [10:50]
Sanya Richards-Ross
My dad moved when I went to Texas. My family after my sophomore season moved to Texas as well. And when I started working with coach Clyde Hart after my sophomore year, my dad would drive me to Waco every day. He would stay with me in Waco, so I had someone there with me because, you know, parents understand at that age how important it is to have that kind of support. And so, you know, as a parent now, I look back on those sacrifices and I get really emotional because that takes a lot to do that for someone that you love. So I won't get too emotional. But, yeah, I think about the people that poured into me and loved on me and helped me to live that very radical dream.
- [11:27]
Mick (Interviewer)
Amen to that. Amen to that. And you hit on something I was actually gonna talk about. You know, we've had a lot of great success in track and field in the United States.
- [11:39]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah.
- [11:40]
Mick (Interviewer)
And on the women's side in sprinting, we've had some really, really good success with the 400U. The 400s. You. I mean, there's been, what, two American women who have won gold?
- [11:54]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Only two.
- [11:54]
Mick (Interviewer)
And one of them is right here, multiple times. And you talk about all the sub-50s.
- [12:00]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Yeah.
- [12:01]
Mick (Interviewer)
Like, here's the unplugged truth. I don't know if I could ride a bicycle. Sub 50 on the 400. Like, people don't understand how daunting the 400 is. And just the. I think. I personally think it's more mental than anything because. More mental than physical 200?
- [12:19]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Yeah.
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Mick (Interviewer)
It's physical talent, for sure. But the 400 is timing.
- [12:24]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Yes.
- [12:26]
Mick (Interviewer)
It's really you against you. And people look at it, and you've got competitors in the different lanes and all that, but it's really you versus you. And you can't get distracted. Right. Like, somebody's going to come out of the gate strong. And you know how that goes. Right. Talk about the mentality of the 400.
- [12:44]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Yeah. It's such a good question. Mick. And I don't think a lot of people really appreciate that because they look at all sprints as kind of the same. But the 400 is its own beast. And if you're inside the sport where people say the 400 is the hardest race on the track because they appreciate that it is mentally and physically so challenging, so taxing, and you kind of have to strike the balance perfectly in order to win. You know, where you're trying to have that perfect balance of speed and endurance to be able to maintain and to be able to win. So it challenges you in every single way. But I want to share the strategy that my coach actually, we used to win the 400 that I also think applies to life. So we called it the four P's.
- [13:24]
Mick (Interviewer)
Okay.
- [13:25]
Sanya Richards-Ross
And there was a fifth silent P that I'll share. So the first P is push. The second P was pace, third P position, and then the final P, poise, and also pray. You needed to pray the last hundred.
- [13:39]
Mick (Interviewer)
Yeah.
- [13:39]
Sanya Richards-Ross
But, you know, this is the strategy that I wrote about in my book. And I also say I think it applies to life, because I do feel like the 400 does mimic life when it comes to how challenging it is physically and emotionally in the ways that we can be challenged in life. So the first 50, you gotta push out the blocks as hard as you can. You forget you're running a 400. You run it like a pure sprint because that's the only part of the race where your speed does not impact the final 400. It doesn't dip into your systems and start to affect how you're gonna feel in the final 400. So you get out as hard as you can. So I think about life. When you're doing something new, there's this, like, you know, energy you have. Like, you're pushing with all your might. You know, you're doing the new podcast, doing the new show, and you're, like, enthusiastic, and you have this push and excitement, but then you got to pace yourself, right? So after 50 meters, for the next 150, before you get to the 200 meter mark, you've got to find your pace, right? And this is where you don't slow down, but you settle into a rhythm that you can maintain. I think the same thing with life. You start this new project, then you got to start pacing yourself, right? You got to find a rhythm, because you will burn out, right? If you try to keep that pace over and over again. A lot of times, that's what why a lot of people quit or fail is because they burn out. And so you got to pace yourself and find a good rhythm. And then the third P, Coach Hart would always say was the most important P. This is where you have to position yourself to win the race. So you talked about that in the 400, how a lot of times it is like mano a mano. It's just me versus me. So for the first 200, I'm not looking at anybody else. I'm just solely focused on getting out hard and hitting my pace, the pace that feels good to me. I don't want to get distracted and run too fast because this person's gone out too fast. I got to stay focused. But in the third hundred, now I gotta start looking. Where are people at? How do I position myself to win this race? Same thing in life. I feel a lot of times when you're starting on something new, you gotta position yourself for success. Sometimes that means moving to LA to get the opportunity, going to the right university, like putting yourself physically in position to be successful. And then the final hundred was all about poise. So this is the part of the race where the mind is telling you, okay, we need to stop, pull over. What's going on? Why are we running so fast for so long?
- [15:43]
Mick (Interviewer)
Right, right.
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Sanya Richards-Ross
And you have to, like quiet that chatter in your mind, stay poised and focus on the finish line and trust that everything that you have done is going to show up and you're going to be able to cross the finish line first. In the same way I always say, it's like there comes a moment in your career where you're going to have to trust the process. You're going to have to show up with poise and confidence. Go on camera knowing you've done it, do the interview, do the presentation with the poise, knowing you have done all this work. And then we always say you pray and this is continuously throughout, you know, just trusting God, asking God for guidance. But those were the four P's that I had to use every single time I was racing. That proved successful 99% of the time. When I didn't run the back stretch too fast and I maintained my pace, I was really able to be successful and to cross the finish line first.
- [16:28]
Mick (Interviewer)
So that strategy and the parallel to life, and I'm thinking business and leadership outside of that, like, that's amazing because I only had one PE. I ran the 401 time and it was pass out because as soon as I crossed over, it was a wrap, I was out. And I said, I'll go throw the Discus and do the 100. And I was good. I was good.
- [16:52]
Sanya Richards-Ross
That's funny. That's a good one.
- [16:53]
Mick (Interviewer)
No, no, but amazing. And so we talked a lot about what you've done in track, and I want to go to the segment I call Hot take. So I'm going to give you a hot take right now, and I'm going to look at the camera when I do this. So you've heard a lot of Sonya's accolades, right? Can't be touched. Here's the hot take. As much as you think she accomplished in track, she's even better off the track. Sonia, I told you this when I met you for your show beyond the Curve, by the way. Go make sure you're checking that out.
- [17:28]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Yes, thank you.
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Mick (Interviewer)
But seeing you in action in the business world and the team and family you've surrounded yourself with is so impeccable.
- [17:40]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Thank you.
- [17:41]
Mick (Interviewer)
I don't know many better leaders of people than you because of a few things, and in no order, but when I think of you, this is the truth. I think of excellence, I think of standards, I think of family, and I think getting it done. Those are the four things that I think about you outside of track. How did what you did in track and the dominance that you had and the standards that you have, how did that work for you when track was done? And it's like, hey, I still have more things I want to accomplish.
- [18:26]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Absolutely right.
- [18:27]
Mick (Interviewer)
And I would say recognizing you, for me personally, for the things you've done off the track is what I'm most proud of for you.
- [18:38]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Thank you so much. I really appreciate that. I also truly appreciate. I remember when I had a mentor years ago, and he said to me, you have to think of like, three or four pillars of your brand. I was still running when he was telling me this, and he was like, you know, what are the things that are important to you? And then. So I had those things in my mind, and then he says, okay, those are the things you want to present to the world. And everything that you're doing, everything that you're doing, you want to show that. So the fact that you literally said four things, of which three of those things were on my list, really? Of how? Yes. Excellence, family. So my. My. When I did this a few years ago, I wanted to have show people I was excellence, family, and not. Not get it done. My word in my head was like, I think it was completion or one of those words. And so for you to be able to regurgitate to me the very same things that I hoped to put out there. It just means so much to me because it means that I've done a pretty good job of really trying to set those standards. And so for me, Mick, I remember when I was in high school, my dad said to me as I was like, my career was going great. I was the high school athlete of the year, broke the high school national record that still stands today in the 400. I mean, things were going really well for me on the track. And my dad said, santa, I never want you to be one dimensional. I want you to always see yourself beyond being a track and field athlete. And so, ever as early as that, I remember always thinking to myself, how will these skills that I am developing and honing, how will I be able to use them post track and field? How will these skills serve me in whatever I choose to do next? And so in my final year of my career in 2016, I remember being extremely intentional about my transition because I knew I was going to retire that year because I had had three surgeries on my right big toe after London. So I won the Olympics effectively on a broken big toe. My doctor had wanted me to have surgery prior to the Olympics. And I was like, no, I'm not taking that risk. Thank God I didn't, because my first surgery was not successful. I was out all of 2013. Make a super long story short, I had three surgeries before the 2016 Olympics. And so I felt to myself, my quality of life is equally important to me. And I don't want to keep doing this thing that could potentially cause me even further damage. So I knew I was going to retire in 2016. And so that entire year, I was really intentional. I said this prayer the entire year. I said, God, thank you so much for this incredible gift that has allowed me to see the entire world. But I know that every blessing is not meant to last a lifetime. And so, God, as I give this gift back to you, I pray that you leave all the good stuff with me, all the memories, all the lessons as I begin to see myself as more than an athlete. And so that whole year I'm like, you know, okay, what do I love to do? I knew I love television. I knew that I love business. I knew I loved bringing people together. And so when the commentator, who is my now colleague, Louis Johnson, interviewed me after my final race, he said to me, what will you do next? You dominated on the track. What can we see you do next? And, Mick, I had thought about it for a whole year. So I said, I want to start a family. And I want to write a book, and I want to start commentating. And I literally wrote three books. I was in the commentating booth three days after that interview, and I got three boys. So I was able to, you know, check that full list. But to make a long answer very short, Mick, I think it was my intentionality. You know, I didn't wait for life to happen. I didn't wait for the retirement and then start thinking, okay, what will I do next? I was intentional two years prior to retirement and especially the last year, about, okay, how do I parlay all of these things?
- [22:04]
Progressive Commercial Announcer
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- [23:01]
Sanya Richards-Ross
I tell you, everything that I learned in track and field has a place in business. I have, you know, the resiliency, the hard work, the determination, the focus, the delayed gratification, all of it. You know, it shows up in my business world. And I'm just so grateful. I'm so grateful for the experiences.
- [23:16]
Mick (Interviewer)
I love all of that. And, you know, I kind of talked about beyond the curve a moment ago. Talk to us about starting that show and why you wanted to do it and what you see happening with that going into the future.
- [23:31]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Yeah. So I was very, very fortunate to have Mick on my show. This is gonna be the first season of the show. And once again, this show is an answered prayer. I asked God, I really wanted to have my own show, and I wasn't sure if it would be a podcast or a TV show, but I knew that I wanted to have conversations like this with great people who I admired. And I wanted to talk about things that felt really authentic to me. And so the show is called beyond the Curve, because I talk to people who have pushed beyond that first curve in their life, which means to me, they have done this incredible thing that they loved, but yet they continue to push beyond and continue to do great things. And so the show is slated to start this fall. I got a call, make a random call from Scripps Network, and they were like, hey, we want to put together this show. Would you be interested? And what I loved was that they allowed me to have a lot of creative input.
- [24:20]
Mick (Interviewer)
Yeah.
- [24:20]
Sanya Richards-Ross
So I'm executive producer on the show. So the show, you know, starts with I open up the show, tell them who my guests are, have wonderful guests, and I have this moment at the end where I share some insights and inspirations based on what I've learned or what the kind of the theme of the show was. And so it's everything I would have wanted. And I'm so excited about it, and I feel like it's just going to continue to grow and grow and get better and better. But thank you for being a guest on my show and bringing your insights. It was phenomenal. I'm really excited about it.
- [24:46]
Mick (Interviewer)
No, I love it, and I can't wait for it to come out again. Beyond the Curve. Everybody make sure that you're going to go view that.
- [24:54]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Thank you.
- [24:55]
Mick (Interviewer)
Leave san some great comments.
- [24:57]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Thank you.
- [24:57]
Mick (Interviewer)
Just reach out like you're gonna love it. Just trust me. I'm not gonna give too much away, but I promise you're gonna love it.
- [25:02]
Sanya Richards-Ross
You're gonna love it. Yeah, it's gonna be great. Thank you.
- [25:04]
Mick (Interviewer)
So, Sam, this fourth segment I call the Room. For every great person that I know, there was a room, a meeting, a dinner, a conversation that really changed their outlook on their business, their career, their profession. Was there a room or a moment that you can look back at and say, it was that introduction, it was that dinner, it was that conversation that catapulted whether it was your athletic career, your business career, whatever.
- [25:40]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Such a good question. The first one that comes to mind once again was a conversation with my father. So it was after my junior year in high school, and I had been running really well my whole life, won almost every race I ran in. But my junior year, I suffered my first really major injury. I had pulled my hamstring muscle at the state championship and didn't compete as well. And in the summer, we always have these huge summer competitions. I still went and competed, but I didn't run well because I wasn't healthy. And so I remember, I'll never forget, I was in the car with my dad. We were driving home from one of our final summer trainings. And he said, sam, do you want to be great? And I said, yeah, of course. Like, why else would I be doing this? And he says, no, baby, do you really want to be great? And it was the first time, Mick, that I realized that being great was not just going to happen because I was extremely talented. It was only going to happen if I was intentional about doing all the things to get there. And I remember my senior year, I mean, I was doing a thousand sit ups every day, five days a week. I started doing stadium stairs before practice. It was the first time I started to watch other athletes who had competed. The Mary Jose Perex in the 400 from France, who had won Kathy Freeman's like, all the greats in my event. And I was like, okay, this is what it's really gonna take. It's not just going to happen by chance. And so I would say for me, that was a room, my dad's car, you know, where we had this conversation that really opened my eyes to what it really took to be great and to be excellent.
- [27:10]
Progressive Commercial Announcer
And.
- [27:11]
Sanya Richards-Ross
And I would say that's the first one. I would also say the second one. In my kind of business and career, there's this woman that I just have so much admiration for. Her name is Bozma St. John.
- [27:23]
Mick (Interviewer)
Yeah.
- [27:24]
Sanya Richards-Ross
And I had a wonderful opportunity to meet her many years ago. I want to say I was probably like maybe two or three years out of retirement and we had this conversation and it wasn't anything so much that she said, it was just her presence. And I remember saying to myself, wow, like, this woman has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world. And what I loved so much was how she showed up so authentically. You know, I feel like, especially sometimes as black women, we feel this need to conform a bit, you know, to show up to be more, you know, I guess I don't want to say manageable, but just where people can take us, right? Like we. I don't know if I'm expressing that to you well, but, you know, it's like you're constantly trying to fit in or to. And one thing that Beau showed me was you can show up fully, authentically in these rooms and they need you there. They need you there. And I feel like she just gave me permission to do that, you know, just being in her presence. And so now when I go to rooms or when I have Experiences. I show up, you know, fully myself, my hair the way I want it, outfits the way I want it, my big hoops, like, fully showing up as who I am. And I feel like that has served me so much as well in my career. And it was because of her. It was just being with her and seeing her and seeing how she moved that really inspired me, and she still inspires me to this day. She's one of my mentors and really good friends, and I just. I really appreciate her for the way she shows up.
- [28:47]
Mick (Interviewer)
I love that a lot. And here, again, I'm gonna give you a lot of credit on things you don't talk about, but the world needs to understand. And I want everybody to really come close on this one. You do so much for others that goes unrecognized because you don't do it for recognition. And again, I applaud you for that, because I'm just gonna be honest. These are the words of Mick and Mick only. So don't take it any other way. But there are people that every time they do something, there's a camera there, there's an article written about it. That's not you. And where I want to go with this is here. You also are creating rooms and moments and conversations for others.
- [29:34]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Thank you.
- [29:35]
Mick (Interviewer)
What's the criteria to get in a room with Sam? And by that I mean, what do you look for when you want to mentor someone? When you're doing things, again, that people don't know about, with mothers and single parents out in the community, or you're doing things to activate youths, or you're doing things to get people into track and field again, the things that you do that you don't ask credit for, I want the world to know that those things are happening. What does it take to be a mentee of Sam?
- [30:09]
Sanya Richards-Ross
So another great question. So there are two things that I'm really passionate about that I get to do. One is, like you said, with mothers. So I founded an organization called Mommy Nation about eight years ago that specifically supports black moms on their motherhood journey. And about four years ago, we started our nonprofit where we help. Mostly, we've helped homeless moms. We've also tried to do our part with the black maternal mortality crisis and help families who've been affected by that as well. And so in that space, when I think about the women I like to be in rooms with, they're just. I love being around moms, especially single moms, because I just can't imagine how hard it is to be a single mom, and to continue to be the best version of yourself while also showing up for this little human that you love so much. And so I love being around moms and trying to help them and to inspire them and to connect them and give them resources. That's something that I truly, truly enjoy. And then I love, love, love young people, especially young girls. There's a statistic that between the age of 7 and 14 that young girls fall out of sports twice as more, you know, as 50 times more than 50% more than boys do. And so a lot of times that's because I think young girls are, like, trying to find their identity, and they don't always feel like their femininity necessarily fits inside of sports. I think women have done a much better job of showing them that you can be all of those things, but it still happens at a much higher rate than for young, for boys. And so my desire is always to inspire young girls to stay in sports. I don't care how talented you are.
- [31:47]
Mick (Interviewer)
There you go.
- [31:48]
Sanya Richards-Ross
I just think sports is such a great life teacher. And if you get those experiences, you understand how to win, how to lose gracefully, how to set goals, all of those things. And so I love being around young women. And so everything that I can do, whether it's through they DM me and we connect, or I have a mom who has a friend who has a daughter. I'm on FaceTime all the time talking to young girls and just, you know, trying to do everything that I can to inspire them. And also through my content, like, I really try to do, you know, the best that I can to stay very positive and to encourage people in that way. But I am a people person. I love being around people. So it's very easy to connect with me. If you have something that you're inspired about and you think that there is synergies, it's not very hard to get in a room with me because I just love connecting with people.
- [32:34]
Mick (Interviewer)
Yeah. So the latest foundation or nonprofit. Let's give the name of that again.
- [32:40]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Yes.
- [32:41]
Mick (Interviewer)
And I'm gonna make sure that it's scrolling here and we'll have links in our show notes and descriptions.
- [32:46]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Awesome.
- [32:46]
Mick (Interviewer)
But what's the name?
- [32:47]
Sanya Richards-Ross
It's Mommy Nation Gives. So M O M M I Nation gives. We've raised over $300,000 towards supporting homeless moms in our community. And like I said, also mentioning helping the black mortality crisis. So we've helped a couple families who've lost the moms during childbirth, and the dads are with the kids by themselves. I also work with four CURE or four MOMS on that. But ultimately the goal is to just continue to help the community by helping moms who have different needs to be able to, you know, keep thriving. And so, yeah, so that's a huge passion of mine. Nike has been a great supporter of our organization and some of my other sponsors, Crunchmaster, Superfeet, they really help us out a lot. So it's been really great.
- [33:30]
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- [34:09]
Sanya Richards-Ross
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- [34:38]
Progressive Commercial Announcer
Cool.
- [34:38]
Mick (Interviewer)
So I have a challenge for everybody that's watching or listening to this episode. For me, I want you to support the foundation. And here's what I'm going to do. The whole month of July, whatever's collected, I'm gonna match. But I need you to, if you're watching, if you're listening, send San and I a message on LinkedIn or Instagram. Sorry, on Instagram, tag us both so that I can confirm it. And then I'm gonna match whatever you give because it's that important. And hold me accountable. I know you will.
- [35:31]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Yes.
- [35:33]
Mick (Interviewer)
Because here's why. When people think of nonprofits and foundations, you know, they think that it's gotta be huge numbers. Every dollar matters. Where's the foundation? Where are you located?
- [35:47]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Here in Atlanta.
- [35:48]
Mick (Interviewer)
So the foundation is located here. If you're in the Atlanta area, and I know that we have 100,000 viewers and listeners in Atlanta, you can donate your time.
- [35:57]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Yeah.
- [35:58]
Mick (Interviewer)
Because that is just as important as dollars being available, being Present matters the most. And again, I'm only a couple of hours from here. I'm going to come down, too, and I'll have my sister and my mom, and we're going to do that, because it's moments like these that truly impact lives. Not even just change lives, but I'm all about impacting lives, and you impact by action, and there's no one that does more action than you. And I want to make sure you're getting the love that you deserve for that. And so we want to support.
- [36:34]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Oh, my goodness. Thank you so much, Mick. That means so, so much to us. And like you said, the lives of the women, Mick, Some of these moms that we have had in our community, I don't want to get emotional about it, but it just sometimes takes just a little bit of love, a little bit of support to completely change their lives. And the most incredible thing about when you impact the life of a mom is that you're impacting the life of a family.
- [36:56]
Mick (Interviewer)
Correct.
- [36:57]
Sanya Richards-Ross
And so it's just. It's really been beautiful, and that truly means a lot to us. Thank you so, so very much.
- [37:02]
Mick (Interviewer)
I got you, and I mean it. Hold me accountable to it. I know you said it on film, so I'm gonna do it, but you
- [37:08]
Sanya Richards-Ross
are a man of integrity, so. I know. Thank you so much.
- [37:10]
Mick (Interviewer)
No, it means that much to me. I mean, you've heard a little bit of my story in my past, and so, like, I. Yeah, that touches me, and I want to support and do my part to. To make sure that it's thriving and that lives can be impacted.
- [37:23]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Absolutely. Thank you so much.
- [37:25]
Mick (Interviewer)
Cool. So I'm gonna get you out of here on my unplugged 5 rapid fire. Okay, gotta go.
- [37:34]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Okay. Okay.
- [37:35]
Mick (Interviewer)
Ready?
- [37:35]
Sanya Richards-Ross
I'm ready.
- [37:37]
Mick (Interviewer)
Who's the better cook? You were airing.
- [37:39]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Ooh. Depends on the meal, but my husband will throw down now. I'm giving him the love. Yep. I'm give it to my husband. Yeah.
- [37:46]
Mick (Interviewer)
All right, I'm coming over. I'm coming over. Ay. I'm coming over.
- [37:49]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Excuse me. Excuse me. So sorry.
- [37:52]
Mick (Interviewer)
Nope. I'm coming over. Coming over for a meal. All right. Who was your personal nemesis in the 400?
- [38:03]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Ah, I would have to stay. Christina Arugu from Great Britain. So in 2008, when I lost the gold medal, she won gold, and then I won gold in London, and she got the silver. So, yeah, that was definitely my big nemesis in the 400.
- [38:20]
Mick (Interviewer)
Good stuff. Good stuff. If you did not do the 400, what event would you have done definitely the hundred. Really?
- [38:28]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Yeah. And I was actually really. The plan was for me to go. I was supposed to run the 400 once my senior year after all of the research and go back to the one two. Broke all the records. My dad was like, I think we should stay here. I was like, no, But I always had the 400 found me. But, yes, I would have definitely been a short sprinter.
- [38:43]
Mick (Interviewer)
There you go. I love it. I love it. What's one thing that motherhood taught you about you? Because for me, fatherhood taught me patience. I had to learn that way.
- [38:55]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Yes, that is very true. It's taught me unconditional love. Unconditional love. I mean, I just. I can't imagine how much God loves us. Because the love I have for my boys, it's just. There's nothing they can do. There's just. I just love them to death. So I would say truly, truly unconditional love.
- [39:11]
Mick (Interviewer)
Okay. Okay, so, last one. As the story of sand continues to be written and we're on the last page, the last paragraph, the last sentence. What's one word you want to make sure is there to define you?
- [39:29]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Oh, my goodness, Meg, that is a good one.
- [39:31]
Mick (Interviewer)
I'm sorry.
- [39:32]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Oh, my goodness. What is one word that I hope is there to describe me? I would say. The word that just keeps coming in my head is just love. Like, I hope that people would have always felt loved around me, supported. They felt God's love in me. So, yeah, I think that word would be love.
- [39:59]
Mick (Interviewer)
There we go. There we go. Sam, I'm so honored to have you here. Yay. Like, it means the world that you were here. You know, I'm a huge fan of you again, everything you do on the track, amazing. But what you have done off and what you're continuing to do just makes my heart smile.
- [40:16]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Thank you so much.
- [40:17]
Mick (Interviewer)
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. And to all the viewers and listeners, remember your because is your superpower. Go unleash it. There's nothing like my American Express platinum card. I love that I can earn hotel
- [40:38]
Sanya Richards-Ross
credits when I travel.
- [40:39]
Mick (Interviewer)
I can also earn resi credits, so, you know, I'm hitting the restaurants everyone's talking about. Plus, with the digital entertainment credit, I'm
- [40:45]
Sanya Richards-Ross
even more excited to catch my favorite show.
- [40:48]
Mick (Interviewer)
All in all, I can access over
- [40:50]
Sanya Richards-Ross
$3,500 in annual value with benefits and
- [40:52]
Mick (Interviewer)
eligible purchases across travel, entertainment, and more.
- [40:56]
Sanya Richards-Ross
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- [41:25]
Mick (Interviewer)
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- [41:26]
Sanya Richards-Ross
Call 1-800-GRAINGER click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.