Alaysha Johnson: US Track & Field Olympian on qualifying for Paris Olympics in the 100meters Hurdles, having no sponsorships, underdog journey & goals to Gold

“I did it with no sponsorships. I did it with a black designer on my chest. I did it with a long weave and nails and lashes and everything that everyone told me was going to hold me back. I did it!” 

Alaysha Johnson was always counted out and overlooked. But after an epic performance beating her personal-best time and capturing the silver medal at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials in the 100meter Hurdles…she did it.

This conversation on The Pivot platform resonates with the hosts and listeners to understand some stories are bigger than headlines and about making an impact, in ways that can only be felt through purpose. And on a new episode of the Pivot in partnership with Fanatics, “Lay” Johnson chats with Ryan, Channing, and Fred to uncover the Olympian’s long journey to Paris, revealing this strong woman behind the inspirational athlete.

Lay ran a 12.31-second 100-meter hurdles in Oregon to qualify for the Paris Olympics, but she describes how her path to Team USA is different from most of her teammates. She talks about the financial struggles of running track without sponsors, without access to gear, and how she had to work several jobs while training at same time before finally committing full-time to the sport. Although the road has been had and full of tears, Lay’s decision has paid off, and the guys ask about how she overcame that type of pressure and underdog mentality.

Four years ago Lay wasn’t even running track, and she talks with the guys about her range of emotions when she finally got to put Olympian next to her name. She suffers from hypothyroidism, preventing her muscles from growing back at an average rate, and describes the mentality she must have to keep working despite these physical problems. 

Discussing the lack of money in the sport, and trying to explain the feeling of having one 12-second race dictate whether she can afford rent and pay her bills. Lay is extremely independent and without a sponsor every race matters for her since there is no guaranteed money. Yet coming from working two jobs bartending late nights and early morning work outs, Lay touches on how she doesn’t fear the normal life like her competitors do since she has always had to work for what she wants, following in the footsteps of her mother.

Lay shares with the guys that it’s usually her against the world, but in Paris she will be repping Team USA ready to show why she is the best in the world. And in an emotional moment, Lay gets a surprise phone call to make her Olympic Experience full circle as she finds out financial help is on the way to get her mom there to watch her compete, a dream come true.

New episodes drop on Tuesdays at 12 p.m. ET and Fridays at 3:30 p.m ET on YouTube, with audio available on all streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Amazon.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices