Scroll

Olympic Gold Medalist

Morolake Akinosun

Woman

of the

Month

FROM

A TEEN’S

POINT OF VIEW

By Miya Schaffner

Emmy Award Winner

  • Background

    Morolake never chose running, it chose her. As a child she played soccer but when a track coach recommended that she try running she never looked back. Morolake is the second woman in history to score in four events at an NCAA Outdoor Championships in consecutive seasons. In 2016 she won gold in the 4 x 100m relay at the Rio Olympics, gold in the 4x100m relay at the 2017 World Championships, and bronze in the 4x100m relay at the 2019 World Championships. Off the track, she also produced a short film called “Uncomfortable Conversations with a black Man” in 24 hours and received an Emmy Award for it.

  • What inspires you?

    "I believe that we were all put on earth with gifts and talents, and we should use those gifts with a purpose. So I’m inspired to keep going because I want to make sure I’m using all my gifts and talents to the best of my ability, and to help other people.”

  • How do you mentally and physically come back from an injury?

    "I had to learn to lean on people and my community, and be okay with asking for and receiving help. I also learned to be very patient because injuries and the recovery process take time to come back from. I learned how to ask for help, lean on other people, and be patient. All of the hard work that was needed was already instilled in me as an athlete. But the harder part was doing things I’m not used to as a track and field athlete. It’s an individual sport so I’m not used to asking for help or lean on other people.”

  • Advice for younger female generations?

    "Biggest piece of advice for teenage girls, is that your parents are right. As much as you think your parents are wrong, they’re right. I didn’t understand this till I was around 21 or 22 but they have always been right. You don’t have to admit this to them, but they understand how to help you.”

  • Fun facts?

    "I love being creative and bringing conversations to. Life.”

    “I also enjoy traveling, and want to visit Australia and Greece!”

    “I have a small knack for interior design, but I don’t advertise it because people start to ask for things!!”

  • Another passion!

    "I love to read. I used to collect books, but now I keep everything on my kindle. I don’t have a favorite book author, but my three favorite books are; Outliars by Malcom Gladwell, The Sports Gene by David Epstein, and lastly, Everybody Always by Bob Goff.”

Newsletter

Sign up and get inspired with me!