Tag: Athletics Retirement

What Traveling to the Olympics Alone Taught Me: The Transformative Power of Solo Travel

August 16, 2024

Last week, I traveled Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games to support my sister Cindy as she competed in the 100-meter hurdles. Being that I’m a retired professional athlete who spent her 20s basically living on a plane, I’m no stranger to travel, and I’m certainly not scared to travel alone. Once I got over … More What Traveling to the Olympics Alone Taught Me: The Transformative Power of Solo Travel

Five Shocking things my husband said about coaching me to the Olympics

April 5, 2024

In 2021, I attended my third and final Olympic Games with my husband by my side and with him wearing the very important hat of coach. I’ve talked about our athlete/coach relationship from my perspective in this blog: But I decided it would be insightful to hear Jeff’s take on this dynamic. We recently recorded … More Five Shocking things my husband said about coaching me to the Olympics

Why It’s Important To Stop And Reflect On Your Journey

November 9, 2023

This past weekend I was inducted into the University of Michigan’s Athletics Hall of Honor and it truly meant the world to me. To go back to the state where my love for athletics was born and the University where it was nurtured is one thing. But to receive the highest sports honor offered by … More Why It’s Important To Stop And Reflect On Your Journey

Twenty Things They Don’t Tell You About Sports Retirement

September 28, 2023

As an athlete who thoroughly enjoyed  competing and is now enjoying retirement, I hope to show athletes that walking into a new phase in life doesn’t need to be met with fear or anxiety. Here are twenty lessons I’ve learned in retirement that no one really told me: 1) Nothing can quite compare to the … More Twenty Things They Don’t Tell You About Sports Retirement

Five Ways I’m Safely Losing Postpartum Weight While Nursing

August 30, 2023

August is National Breastfeeding Month where we celebrate, protect, promote, and encourage mothers along their breastfeeding journeys. Specifically, August 25-31 is Black Breastfeeding Week which is dedicated to addressing the breastfeeding disparities faced by Black mothers and promoting the health benefits of breastfeeding Black infants. I am passionate about breastfeeding and raising awareness of its … More Five Ways I’m Safely Losing Postpartum Weight While Nursing

ANNOUNCEMENT: I’ll be Inducted Into U of M’s Hall of Honor! 3 Useful Lessons

July 19, 2023

I was in my living room cuddling my newborn and conversing with my mom when I got the call from the University of Michigan’s athletic director Warde Manuel that something pretty cool will be happening. He informed me that I, along with five other incredible men and women, will be inducted into the University of … More ANNOUNCEMENT: I’ll be Inducted Into U of M’s Hall of Honor! 3 Useful Lessons

Five Truths to Help Navigate Life’s Inevitable Transitions

June 7, 2023

As a 35 year old woman who has worn the hat of student-athlete, pharmacist, Olympian entrepreneur, mom, and wife, I have been through several life transitions along the way. With each shift comes useful lessons and a greater ease of approaching these transitions. Our family is adapting to our new normal of having two children, … More Five Truths to Help Navigate Life’s Inevitable Transitions

Five Ways Being An Athlete Prepared Me For Motherhood

May 24, 2023

There is a saying amongst folks tied to the Olympic movement that goes: “once an Olympian always an Olympian; never former, never past” and this resonates with me so much now that I’ve retired. Sure, I’ve hung up my track spikes and no longer dedicate several hours a day to training, but the heart, mindset, … More Five Ways Being An Athlete Prepared Me For Motherhood

The Porter Family Has Moved Again! Why & Lessons Learned

March 7, 2023

Imagine packing up the life you’ve known for 33 years in Michigan and moving to Ohio shortly after competing at the Olympics for an amazing job opportunity your husband recieved. Despite your reservations at first, you get there, fall in love with the city, the home you created, and the community you’ve built. You get … More The Porter Family Has Moved Again! Why & Lessons Learned

The Reasons For My Smooth Sports Retirement and Tips to Help Ease The Transition

January 31, 2023

I talk a lot about easing the transition to retirement after sport because I have many friends and former colleagues who struggled to do so. I’m a firm believer in learning from the experiences & wisdom of others to better position yourself on your journey. As an elite athlete, now very happily on the other … More The Reasons For My Smooth Sports Retirement and Tips to Help Ease The Transition

Four Lessons From Track & Field That Are True in Retirement

December 20, 2022

I’m coming up on one year since I made my official retirement announcement from Track & Field and life on the other side of competing has been quite the ride. In a peculiar way, so much has changed, but yet a lot has truly stayed the same. Here are four lessons that I took from … More Four Lessons From Track & Field That Are True in Retirement