The Olympic champion reflects on her off-season, training reset, and mindset as she prepares for a new chapter on the track.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has stepped back onto the track with renewed energy and clarity after what she describes as a thoroughly enjoyable—and much-needed—off-season.
The Olympic gold medalist, who dazzled fans throughout 2025 with her remarkable range across sprint events, is now easing into preparations for the upcoming season with a balanced mindset shaped by both rest and reflection.
The American star wrapped up her 2025 campaign at the World Athletics Championships, where she reinforced her status as one of the sport’s most versatile talents.
Recently inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame, McLaughlin-Levrone reflected on her return to training in an interview with Fox 5 New York. It was here that she admitted just how enjoyable—and indulgent—her downtime had been.
“You know I enjoyed my off-season a little too much, so I am going to slowly get back to training now. I’ve been eating a little too much, but you have to rest,” she said, illustrating the delicate balance that athletes must strike between performance and personal well-being.
Her pride in representing New Jersey on the world stage remains a defining element of her identity, something she carries with her wherever she competes. “People are like New Jersey? Where is that even on the map? I’m like, trust me, we have a lot of power, we have a lot of strength, there’s a lot behind us, and I just feel like we are determined in whatever we do. So, I try to carry that with me even when I’m travelling the world.”
Renewed Focus and Resilience Ahead of the New Season
McLaughlin-Levrone is not only rebuilding her physical form but also leaning on the mental resilience she has developed over years of competing at the highest level as she settles into preseason training.
In a candid conversation with Harper’s Bazaar, she opened up about the inevitable difficulties that accompany a life on the track. “There are definitely moments that are harder than others. Injuries, losses, or just the monotony of running around the oval every day. But those challenges are what make you a better athlete. I’ve learned to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Pushing through what looks like a very challenging situation is often how we get the most growth out of ourselves,” she articulated. This reflection underscores the mental fortitude that is as crucial as physical training.
A Look Ahead: Growth, Balance, and Determination
McLaughlin-Levrone appears poised to build on the lessons of her varied 2025 campaign as the new season approaches. With a renewed focus and appreciation for both her craft and her personal well-being, she enters training with a mindset shaped by rest, gratitude, and determination.
The challenges of elite competition, she believes, are not roadblocks but stepping stones—each contributing to the evolution of an athlete. This mindset enables her to approach each day and each training session with the enthusiasm and intent required to forge ahead in her athletic journey.