Gabby Thomas discussed her life as a track and field athlete and why medals don’t excite her, despite ranking among the top athletes globally. She also highlighted the healthy balance between her sport and other aspects of her life, as well as her pursuit of becoming a better athlete holistically.
Thomas had taken a step away from track for most of 2025, only competing in the US Nationals and the Grand Slam Track League stops.
Gabby Thomas Reveals What Really Matters For Her Beyond Medals
Thomas broke into the elite scene following her academic and track success at Harvard University. She also earned a master’s degree in public health with a focus on epidemiology and has served as a volunteer at a healthcare clinic, all while balancing her career in sports.
She won a silver and a bronze in the Tokyo Olympics, and walked home with three golds from the Paris Games, etching her name as one of the most prominent in the US. In 2025, she got engaged to her longtime lover, never missed a day at practice, but was not much seen on the competitive track.
In a recent conversation with Emily Abbate on a podcast, the 29-year-old shared that she has always had a healthy relationship with her sport, never over-identifying with it. Instead, she has maintained a mindset focused on growing as an athlete and embracing the lifestyle that comes with it. She also emphasized that her purpose is to take things one day at a time, focus on everyday nutrition and sleep, and trust that those habits will set her up for success, without chasing big wins.
Thomas further said that medals don’t motivate her, but some external validation is always enjoyable. She said:
“Exactly, it’s true. And even when hearing that, like the idea of getting medals doesn’t excite me. It’s really, it’s fun. It’s really fun. And look, I love the external validation. I love it.”
The sprinter won the Jackie Joyner-Kersee award for her success in the Olympic year.
Gabby Thomas Reveals Her Track Goals for 2026 Season
Thomas has been a mainstay in the individual 200m, but racked up wins in the 4x400m relay at both the national and global levels. In an interview with Marathon Handbook, the five-time Olympic medalist shared that she wishes to focus more on the 400m in the upcoming season, considering the opportunities to see what she can achieve.
She also talked about having a longer career and how the one-lap event will pave the way for that. She has also won the gold medal in the 4x400m relay at the 2024 World Relays in Nassau.
