Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the reigning Olympic and World Champion in the 400m hurdles, has opened up about a transformative shift in her life and mindset, revealing that fame and money no longer define her sense of success. Once fueled by the thrill of attention and validation, McLaughlin-Levrone now walks a different path one grounded in her Christian faith.
The turning point came during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period marked by isolation and uncertainty. It was during this time that she rediscovered her faith and began to reassess what truly mattered. The quiet and stillness of that season forced her to confront the instability of a life driven by ever-changing metrics like social media popularity, financial gain, and public approval.
“I wanted all of it attention, fame, money. I fed off it. That was my peace,” she recalled. But as those worldly rewards failed to provide lasting contentment, she turned inward and upward, finding strength and stability in her spiritual beliefs.
Now, McLaughlin-Levrone says her life is centered on a deeper purpose. “The beauty of Christ is that the freedom is actually to live the life He’s called us to live. He’s protected us from things for our own good. I’m truly free because He set me free from those pressures.”
Her journey hasn’t come without sacrifice. Choosing a faith-based life led to some relationships drifting away. Yet she remains grateful for those who stayed her husband, her faith community, and her inner circle, including her coach all of whom continue to support and uplift her.
Since bursting onto the world stage at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021), McLaughlin-Levrone has redefined excellence in track and field. She captured Olympic gold in the 400m hurdles with a world record of 51.46 seconds and contributed to the U.S. team’s victory in the 4x400m relay. At the 2022 World Championships, she shattered her own record, clocking 50.68 seconds, and again helped the relay team clinch gold.
Her dominance only grew in the following seasons. She took on the flat 400 meters, collecting major wins in the Diamond League and sealing her legacy with an emphatic performance at the 2024 Olympics where she struck gold in both the 400m hurdles (breaking the world record for a sixth time) and the 4x400m relay.
As Tokyo 2025 approaches, McLaughlin-Levrone is expected to compete in both the 400m hurdles and flat 400m. But this time, her motivation is not rooted in trophies or global recognition. It is fueled by faith, purpose, and a profound sense of freedom from the need for external validation.
