By Stig Editor ‘Regret That It Didn’t Come from a Genuine Place’: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Opens Up About the Pain of Being a Role Model on a Pedestal
When you’re crowned a world champion, an Olympic gold medalist, and a record-breaking athlete, the world often assumes you have it all figured out. For Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, however, that glossy image came at a cost one that left her feeling burdened rather than celebrated.
In a rare and vulnerable interview, McLaughlin-Levrone peeled back the polished layers of her public image to reveal the inner conflict that came with being seen as a role model too soon, and perhaps for the wrong reasons.
> “There was a time when I was being put on this pedestal, and I regret that it didn’t come from a genuine place not from me, and maybe not even from others,” she admitted.
The 400m hurdles star, known for her fierce focus and grace under pressure, confessed that the pressure to be perfect sometimes made her feel more like a product than a person. While her athletic performance stunned the world, the expectations that came with fame felt heavy.
> “People wanted me to be something they could look up to, and I tried to be that,” McLaughlin-Levrone said. “But it wasn’t always authentic. I was still figuring out who I was.”
It’s a stunning confession from one of track and field’s brightest stars. At just 24, Sydney has already reshaped the history books and inspired millions. But as she grew in the sport, she also grew in faith and with that growth came clarity.
Now, she’s reframing what it means to be a role model not as someone flawless, but as someone faithful.
> “I had to learn that it’s okay not to meet everyone’s expectations,” she said. “Being a role model should come from living in truth, not performing for approval.”
Her words are a reminder that behind every medal, every record, and every headline, there is a human being still navigating life’s complexities.
And as she prepares for more championships ahead, McLaughlin-Levrone isn’t just running for gold anymore. She’s running with purpose, passion, and the freedom to be real.