Fred Kerley Track and Field Olympic Medalist, how track saved his life, extreme confidence, calls out Noah Lyles, how being a father changed him, addresses police incident in Miami, preparation, mission to become fastest man in world

Apr 4, 2025

Fred Kerley, an Olympic medalist and world champion in track and field, shares his remarkable journey from aspiring football and basketball player to one of the fastest sprinters on the planet. He discusses how overcoming challenges, including a life-changing decision to leave Texas, shaped his resilience. Kerley reflects on the pressures of high-stakes races and the dedication to preparation that defines his success. He also opens up about the transformative impact of fatherhood and his mission to elevate the respect track and field deserves in the sports world.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Track to Triumph: A Journey of Resilience

01:47 • 10min

Athletic Journeys and Personal Growth

12:12 • 12min

The Olympic Mindset: Reflections on Success and Failure

24:37 • 2min

Overshadowed Achievements in Track

26:12 • 12min

Navigating the Competitive Landscape of Track and Field

38:19 • 2min

The Transformative Power of Fatherhood

40:13 • 2min

Grounded Growth and Confronting Challenges

41:44 • 2min

Navigating Parenthood and Athletic Aspirations

43:26 • 15min

“I became world champion in a year and a half. People ain't been on my level. I’m more than special.” Fred Kerley

Fred Kerley’s speed on the track is matched only by the intensity of his mindset and the strength of his journey. Sitting with Ryan, Channing and Fred- the guys are taking back by his serious demeanor and no-play attitude.

From a football and basketball hopeful to one of the fastest men in the universe, the Olympic medalist and world champion sits down with The Pivot crew to talk about the twists, turns, and challenges that shaped his career.

Kerley doesn’t hold back as he reflects on the defining moments of his life, Growing up in a tough environment, being adopted, and making a life-changing decision to leave Texas to pursue a professional contract, which he credits to helping him mature faster and avoiding the pitfalls that trapped so many around him.

Kerley opens up about handling various pressures of being an elite sprinter and how hundreds of hours of preparation comes down to less than a minute and how your whole life and career can change in 9 seconds. Building up mental resilience to stay focused and achieve success is the goal every second of the day.

While Fred dominates the track, he shares his thoughts on life beyond racing—his love for farming, his dedication to his kids, and why he believes track and field doesn’t get the respect it deserves compared to the NBA and NFL.

Of course, Kerley doesn’t shy away from the rivalries that fuel his competitive fire, taking direct aim at Noah Lyles: “Go look at the record books, look who got more wins.”

Whether it’s lining up against the best in the world or proving his critics wrong, Kerley is confident in his abilities and unapologetic in his approach. With high expectations swirling around the 2028 LA Olympics, he’s determined to go out on top and spend his next 2 years regaining his title as fastest man in the world.

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