379. ‘I Never Fail’: How To Trust The Timing Of Your Life & Make Every Second Count With Olympic Champion Masai Russell

Today’s episode's incredibly special. Not only is it the Season 20 premiere of Hurdle, but we're bringing you my conversation with the American Record Holder and Olympic Champion in the 100-meter hurdles, Masai Russell.

Fresh off her win at Athlos in New York City, Russell joins us to peel back the curtain on the mindset that allowed her to make the U.S. Olympic team, emerge victorious on the world stage, and break records in the process. This conversation was filmed live at Nike’s New York headquarters in front of an incredible audience, many of whom were gearing up for the New York City Marathon. It’s a motivational pre-game for any big moment, whether we’re talking about sport—or beyond.

In the episode, Masai is incredibly candid about the struggles she faced in her first professional year, the adversity she had to overcome, and the mental shift she made to change her entire career trajectory. She also shares why, in her mind, she never fails, and how that perspective helps her turn every setback into a blessing.

I've also got a big announcement: Today, Hurdle joins iHeart Women's Sports Network! A massive milestone years in the making, thanks so much for being a part of this community and following along for the ride. 

IN THIS EPISODE

• The competitive fire Masai developed by growing up with older brothers.
• Why Masai made the surprising choice to follow her coach and transfer to the University of Kentucky.
• The essential self-belief required to succeed at an elite level.
• Her mindset in the starting blocks for the 100m hurdles.
• Why showing up for yourself, even on bad days, is crucial to building success.
• The adversity and mental challenges she faced during her first professional year.
• The daily journaling and self-talk practices that shape her mindset.
• Why her tough finish (4th place) at the World Championships was ultimately the best thing for her.
• Her advice for dealing with the pressure and expectations of social media fame.
• Her big goals: from buying a house at 24 to breaking the World Record and winning in Los Angeles in 2028.

QUOTABLE MOMENTS

On the power of belief:
"I just told myself when I got out there on the line, whatever's going to happen is going to happen, and I think once I kind of let the my ego go and let what I thought I should be or what the expectations of what people put on to me, once I let all that go out the door, I just felt free."

On why she never fails:
"I'll never fail because it's always a lesson to turn me into what the world will see. And that's always my mindset."

On her mindset in the starting blocks:
"There's nothing more that's going to change or the outcome isn't going to change. Literally just show up and be, and whatever that outcome is going to be, that's just what it is, and you have to be okay with it."

On her mental tools:
"It's literally just about like what I feel in that moment at that time, at that day. It could be like, 'Go out there, kill it, lock in, zone out, be you!' ... or it could be just like whatever is literally on my heart and mind."

SOCIAL
@masai_russell
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
@iheartwomenssports

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