hello everybody before I start I’m going to answer the two questions that I get
to answer the two questions that I get
to answer the two questions that I get most yes I met Usain Bolt and yes I am
most yes I met Usain Bolt and yes I am
most yes I met Usain Bolt and yes I am the guy that fell at the Olympic Games
the guy that fell at the Olympic Games
the guy that fell at the Olympic Games this summer if you guys don’t know and
this summer if you guys don’t know and
this summer if you guys don’t know and the question that everybody had hurt yes
the question that everybody had hurt yes
the question that everybody had hurt yes it hurt really bad but I’m not here to
it hurt really bad but I’m not here to
it hurt really bad but I’m not here to talk about the fall I’m here to talk
talk about the fall I’m here to talk
talk about the fall I’m here to talk about my lessons the lessons I’ve
about my lessons the lessons I’ve
about my lessons the lessons I’ve learned through making it to the Olympic
learned through making it to the Olympic
learned through making it to the Olympic Games this summer 16 games was not my
Games this summer 16 games was not my
Games this summer 16 games was not my first it was actually my second Olympic
first it was actually my second Olympic
first it was actually my second Olympic Games
Games
Games I made it also in 2012 in London but
I made it also in 2012 in London but
I made it also in 2012 in London but that didn’t go so well
that didn’t go so well
that didn’t go so well it was first time jitters and I was a
it was first time jitters and I was a
it was first time jitters and I was a little bit nervous so I didn’t make the
little bit nervous so I didn’t make the
little bit nervous so I didn’t make the semis but this time I actually didn’t
semis but this time I actually didn’t
semis but this time I actually didn’t make the semis and in the event of
make the semis and in the event of
make the semis and in the event of making the semis I fell at the first
making the semis I fell at the first
making the semis I fell at the first hurdle what I want to talk about most is
hurdle what I want to talk about most is
hurdle what I want to talk about most is perseverance I’m pretty sure all of you
perseverance I’m pretty sure all of you
perseverance I’m pretty sure all of you of heard the term or the cliche phrase
of heard the term or the cliche phrase
of heard the term or the cliche phrase you can do whatever you want as long as
you can do whatever you want as long as
you can do whatever you want as long as you put your mind to it I think for
you put your mind to it I think for
you put your mind to it I think for throughout my whole life and water your
throughout my whole life and water your
throughout my whole life and water your lives as well we take for granted of the
lives as well we take for granted of the
lives as well we take for granted of the word cliche we hear it and were like ah
word cliche we hear it and were like ah
word cliche we hear it and were like ah everybody talks about that everybody
everybody talks about that everybody
everybody talks about that everybody says you can make it anywhere if you
says you can make it anywhere if you
says you can make it anywhere if you want to but it’s the truth sometimes I
want to but it’s the truth sometimes I
want to but it’s the truth sometimes I think we need to take the word cliche
think we need to take the word cliche
think we need to take the word cliche and accept it and say what am I going to
and accept it and say what am I going to
and accept it and say what am I going to take the time to actually say hmm maybe
take the time to actually say hmm maybe
take the time to actually say hmm maybe it’s true if everybody’s saying it then
it’s true if everybody’s saying it then
it’s true if everybody’s saying it then I actually can do it and I had to go
I actually can do it and I had to go
I actually can do it and I had to go through those experiences my Road wasn’t
through those experiences my Road wasn’t
through those experiences my Road wasn’t easy growing up I was the bad kid I was
easy growing up I was the bad kid I was
easy growing up I was the bad kid I was the kid that you know didn’t go to class
the kid that you know didn’t go to class
the kid that you know didn’t go to class all the time got detentions got
all the time got detentions got
all the time got detentions got suspended and I never would have thought
suspended and I never would have thought
suspended and I never would have thought that you know I would grown up and get
that you know I would grown up and get
that you know I would grown up and get grown through all those bad experiences
grown through all those bad experiences
grown through all those bad experiences I never would have thought that I would
I never would have thought that I would
I never would have thought that I would have made it Olympic Games but as a
have made it Olympic Games but as a
have made it Olympic Games but as a child when you’re competing or when
child when you’re competing or when
child when you’re competing or when you’re outside playing everybody wants
you’re outside playing everybody wants
you’re outside playing everybody wants to make it to the highest level whether
to make it to the highest level whether
to make it to the highest level whether it’s a basketball player they want to
it’s a basketball player they want to
it’s a basketball player they want to make it to the NBA football players they
make it to the NBA football players they
make it to the NBA football players they want to make it to the NFL for me I was
want to make it to the NFL for me I was
want to make it to the NFL for me I was always fast and I was always racing
always fast and I was always racing
always fast and I was always racing people so for me I always wanted to
people so for me I always wanted to
people so for me I always wanted to compete at the Olympic Games but growing
compete at the Olympic Games but growing
compete at the Olympic Games but growing up of course like I just said I was bad
up of course like I just said I was bad
up of course like I just said I was bad and you know getting suspended here and
and you know getting suspended here and
and you know getting suspended here and there a lot of people didn’t think I
there a lot of people didn’t think I
there a lot of people didn’t think I would make it and I thrive on proving
would make it and I thrive on proving
would make it and I thrive on proving people wrong which is perseverance um
people wrong which is perseverance um
people wrong which is perseverance um I’ve had people tell me I wasn’t going
I’ve had people tell me I wasn’t going
I’ve had people tell me I wasn’t going to make it I’ve had people
to make it I’ve had people
to make it I’ve had people whoo I’ve actually had a counselor in
whoo I’ve actually had a counselor in
whoo I’ve actually had a counselor in high school and this is may sound crazy
high school and this is may sound crazy
high school and this is may sound crazy to you guys but um I had a counselor in
to you guys but um I had a counselor in
to you guys but um I had a counselor in high school tell my mom that she should
high school tell my mom that she should
high school tell my mom that she should withdraw me from school because I was
withdraw me from school because I was
withdraw me from school because I was amount to nothing in life she told she
amount to nothing in life she told she
amount to nothing in life she told she should’ve brought me from school give me
should’ve brought me from school give me
should’ve brought me from school give me a job at McDonald’s because I was amount
a job at McDonald’s because I was amount
a job at McDonald’s because I was amount to nothing in life from that point on I
to nothing in life from that point on I
to nothing in life from that point on I changed my life I was like first of all
changed my life I was like first of all
changed my life I was like first of all you’re not going to tell my mom or me
you’re not going to tell my mom or me
you’re not going to tell my mom or me that I’m not going to be anything in
that I’m not going to be anything in
that I’m not going to be anything in life and I took it upon myself to move
life and I took it upon myself to move
life and I took it upon myself to move draw myself out of high school I don’t
draw myself out of high school I don’t
draw myself out of high school I don’t know if you guys are familiar with
know if you guys are familiar with
know if you guys are familiar with wooden Rogers Education Center but I
wooden Rogers Education Center but I
wooden Rogers Education Center but I went to the wooden wafters Education
went to the wooden wafters Education
went to the wooden wafters Education Center and it’s a place where I’m hoping
Center and it’s a place where I’m hoping
Center and it’s a place where I’m hoping that you guys end up or go that’s where
that you guys end up or go that’s where
that you guys end up or go that’s where all the kids that get kicked out of
all the kids that get kicked out of
all the kids that get kicked out of school go the kids that fight kids that
school go the kids that fight kids that
school go the kids that fight kids that go to jail and can’t stay in school
go to jail and can’t stay in school
go to jail and can’t stay in school those are the kids that go to this type
those are the kids that go to this type
those are the kids that go to this type of school and I didn’t belong
of school and I didn’t belong
of school and I didn’t belong tuff I had to force myself to go to
tuff I had to force myself to go to
tuff I had to force myself to go to school every day because it’s work at
school every day because it’s work at
school every day because it’s work at your own pace you don’t have a teacher
your own pace you don’t have a teacher
your own pace you don’t have a teacher telling you hey do your work they give
telling you hey do your work they give
telling you hey do your work they give you a packet they say when you’re done
you a packet they say when you’re done
you a packet they say when you’re done with this you’re done with the class so
with this you’re done with the class so
with this you’re done with the class so if you don’t finish it you don’t finish
if you don’t finish it you don’t finish
if you don’t finish it you don’t finish the class and those were the experiences
the class and those were the experiences
the class and those were the experiences I had in high school watching fights
I had in high school watching fights
I had in high school watching fights every day watching riots and I had to
every day watching riots and I had to
every day watching riots and I had to tell myself every day listen I want to
tell myself every day listen I want to
tell myself every day listen I want to run track and I got to make it to the
run track and I got to make it to the
run track and I got to make it to the next level which at the time was college
next level which at the time was college
next level which at the time was college I eventually got my grades and my senior
I eventually got my grades and my senior
I eventually got my grades and my senior year of high school which is the last
year of high school which is the last
year of high school which is the last year of course I ran track and it was
year of course I ran track and it was
year of course I ran track and it was the only year that I had run track and I
the only year that I had run track and I
the only year that I had run track and I had been talented to a my whole life so
had been talented to a my whole life so
had been talented to a my whole life so I had to persevere through the you will
I had to persevere through the you will
I had to persevere through the you will amount to nothing in life nobody makes
amount to nothing in life nobody makes
amount to nothing in life nobody makes it out of wooden Rogers if you come out
it out of wooden Rogers if you come out
it out of wooden Rogers if you come out here it’s going to be you’re going to
here it’s going to be you’re going to
here it’s going to be you’re going to end up like everybody else which is
end up like everybody else which is
end up like everybody else which is which is what they do is nothing I did
which is what they do is nothing I did
which is what they do is nothing I did my work I got my grades and I ended up
my work I got my grades and I ended up
my work I got my grades and I ended up competing when you’re at an alternative
competing when you’re at an alternative
competing when you’re at an alternative school you can compete for your high
school you can compete for your high
school you can compete for your high school and which is what I did I
school and which is what I did I
school and which is what I did I competed for 400 ha and I eventually
competed for 400 ha and I eventually
competed for 400 ha and I eventually ended up landing a scholarship to a
ended up landing a scholarship to a
ended up landing a scholarship to a junior college at in Concordia Kansas in
junior college at in Concordia Kansas in
junior college at in Concordia Kansas in the middle of nowhere and the reason why
the middle of nowhere and the reason why
the middle of nowhere and the reason why I had to go to junior college is because
I had to go to junior college is because
I had to go to junior college is because I didn’t take the regular path of high
I didn’t take the regular path of high
I didn’t take the regular path of high school then get had good grades and had
school then get had good grades and had
school then get had good grades and had good test scores much
good test scores much
good test scores much he was low so therefore my test scores
he was low so therefore my test scores
he was low so therefore my test scores had to be really high and they weren’t
had to be really high and they weren’t
had to be really high and they weren’t they were average so I had to go to the
they were average so I had to go to the
they were average so I had to go to the junior college route at junior college
junior college route at junior college
junior college route at junior college more perseverance
more perseverance
more perseverance I’m culture shock I’m from Fort
I’m culture shock I’m from Fort
I’m culture shock I’m from Fort Lauderdale Florida City is 2.3 almost 3
Lauderdale Florida City is 2.3 almost 3
Lauderdale Florida City is 2.3 almost 3 million people and the population of
million people and the population of
million people and the population of Kansas is 2 million people the
Kansas is 2 million people the
Kansas is 2 million people the population of my town was fifteen
population of my town was fifteen
population of my town was fifteen hundred people and seven hundred people
hundred people and seven hundred people
hundred people and seven hundred people in the school that’s a graduating class
in the school that’s a graduating class
in the school that’s a graduating class in the state of Florida and at any high
in the state of Florida and at any high
in the state of Florida and at any high school so you guys can understand the
school so you guys can understand the
school so you guys can understand the culture went through of seeing buildings
culture went through of seeing buildings
culture went through of seeing buildings seeing roads and going to see dirt roads
seeing roads and going to see dirt roads
seeing roads and going to see dirt roads cows and cornfields it was culture shock
cows and cornfields it was culture shock
cows and cornfields it was culture shock I didn’t want to be there I didn’t want
I didn’t want to be there I didn’t want
I didn’t want to be there I didn’t want to I didn’t want to go the journey the
to I didn’t want to go the journey the
to I didn’t want to go the journey the journey college Rob to begin with
journey college Rob to begin with
journey college Rob to begin with because at that time I felt like I was
because at that time I felt like I was
because at that time I felt like I was too good for junior college not
too good for junior college not
too good for junior college not realizing that that was a path that I
realizing that that was a path that I
realizing that that was a path that I had to get that had to persevere from to
had to get that had to persevere from to
had to get that had to persevere from to get to the next level which is d1 and
get to the next level which is d1 and
get to the next level which is d1 and then eventually the Olympic Games
then eventually the Olympic Games
then eventually the Olympic Games through cloud I learned a lot I’ve met a
through cloud I learned a lot I’ve met a
through cloud I learned a lot I’ve met a lot of great people and I ended up
lot of great people and I ended up
lot of great people and I ended up loving it but I had to persevere through
loving it but I had to persevere through
loving it but I had to persevere through some things like getting in trouble and
some things like getting in trouble and
some things like getting in trouble and realizing that I’m in a small town so
realizing that I’m in a small town so
realizing that I’m in a small town so everything is my career everything is a
everything is my career everything is a
everything is my career everything is a microscope on you and everything you do
microscope on you and everything you do
microscope on you and everything you do and everybody in town knows if you speak
and everybody in town knows if you speak
and everybody in town knows if you speak the wrong way somebody will know I’m
the wrong way somebody will know I’m
the wrong way somebody will know I’m pretty sure here at well probably not in
pretty sure here at well probably not in
pretty sure here at well probably not in st. Thomas but in my high school
st. Thomas but in my high school
st. Thomas but in my high school if you skip class there’s a chance that
if you skip class there’s a chance that
if you skip class there’s a chance that you might get away with it that’s not
you might get away with it that’s not
you might get away with it that’s not happening at a school where there’s K
happening at a school where there’s K
happening at a school where there’s K through 12 and the most graduating class
through 12 and the most graduating class
through 12 and the most graduating class they have is a class of 20 so you’re not
they have is a class of 20 so you’re not
they have is a class of 20 so you’re not getting away with anything and it’s the
getting away with anything and it’s the
getting away with anything and it’s the same way that it was for me and cloud
same way that it was for me and cloud
same way that it was for me and cloud county but fast forwarding I left cloud
county but fast forwarding I left cloud
county but fast forwarding I left cloud County and eventually ended up at Kansas
County and eventually ended up at Kansas
County and eventually ended up at Kansas State University on a full scholarship
State University on a full scholarship
State University on a full scholarship and I was told that I wasn’t going to
and I was told that I wasn’t going to
and I was told that I wasn’t going to make anything out of my life
make anything out of my life
make anything out of my life I wish I could find a lady right now but
I wish I could find a lady right now but
I wish I could find a lady right now but I’ve yet to find her but I think those
I’ve yet to find her but I think those
I’ve yet to find her but I think those words of telling me that I can’t do it
words of telling me that I can’t do it
words of telling me that I can’t do it or that I wasn’t going to be something
or that I wasn’t going to be something
or that I wasn’t going to be something is what drove me to be the person that I
is what drove me to be the person that I
is what drove me to be the person that I am and making it to the Olympic Games
am and making it to the Olympic Games
am and making it to the Olympic Games because I was the next
because I was the next
because I was the next that was the next perseverance was
that was the next perseverance was
that was the next perseverance was coaches telling me ah you’re not good
coaches telling me ah you’re not good
coaches telling me ah you’re not good enough you’re okay but you’re not that
enough you’re okay but you’re not that
enough you’re okay but you’re not that good I told you guys before I raced a
good I told you guys before I raced a
good I told you guys before I raced a lot as a kid nobody was going to tell me
lot as a kid nobody was going to tell me
lot as a kid nobody was going to tell me that they were faster than me coming out
that they were faster than me coming out
that they were faster than me coming out of junior college I was ranked to number
of junior college I was ranked to number
of junior college I was ranked to number two in the nation and going into
two in the nation and going into
two in the nation and going into division one I was probably in the top
division one I was probably in the top
division one I was probably in the top twenty which is okay and I was at a
twenty which is okay and I was at a
twenty which is okay and I was at a school where it wasn’t known to be a
school where it wasn’t known to be a
school where it wasn’t known to be a hurdle school it was a jumps and
hurdle school it was a jumps and
hurdle school it was a jumps and decathlon for those who run track like a
decathlon for those who run track like a
decathlon for those who run track like a decathlete school my coach believed in
decathlete school my coach believed in
decathlete school my coach believed in me and if anybody here knows what I mean
me and if anybody here knows what I mean
me and if anybody here knows what I mean what it feels like when someone believes
what it feels like when someone believes
what it feels like when someone believes in you that that’s all it took to drive
in you that that’s all it took to drive
in you that that’s all it took to drive me my coach said look we’re going to
me my coach said look we’re going to
me my coach said look we’re going to prove everybody wrong and that was
prove everybody wrong and that was
prove everybody wrong and that was already my thoughts was proven everybody
already my thoughts was proven everybody
already my thoughts was proven everybody wrong which is another experience that I
wrong which is another experience that I
wrong which is another experience that I would like you guys to take in you can
would like you guys to take in you can
would like you guys to take in you can make it through whatever as long as you
make it through whatever as long as you
make it through whatever as long as you put your mind to it again cliche my
put your mind to it again cliche my
put your mind to it again cliche my coach told me he believed in my
coach told me he believed in my
coach told me he believed in my abilities I persevered through two knee
abilities I persevered through two knee
abilities I persevered through two knee surgeries on my left knee one knee
surgeries on my left knee one knee
surgeries on my left knee one knee surgery on my right I had a blood clot
surgery on my right I had a blood clot
surgery on my right I had a blood clot in college I couldn’t compete for the
in college I couldn’t compete for the
in college I couldn’t compete for the whole indoor season and when I got back
whole indoor season and when I got back
whole indoor season and when I got back I was trash I mean I was getting beat
I was trash I mean I was getting beat
I was trash I mean I was getting beat every every meet I was running um for
every every meet I was running um for
every every meet I was running um for those who do for those who don’t know
those who do for those who don’t know
those who do for those who don’t know time I was running about eight seconds
time I was running about eight seconds
time I was running about eight seconds which is like really slow my personal
which is like really slow my personal
which is like really slow my personal best is 772 and I remember getting on
best is 772 and I remember getting on
best is 772 and I remember getting on the bus the meat before conference and
the bus the meat before conference and
the bus the meat before conference and confidence conference that um and the
confidence conference that um and the
confidence conference that um and the Nationals for indoors I remember getting
Nationals for indoors I remember getting
Nationals for indoors I remember getting on the bus after running eight seconds
on the bus after running eight seconds
on the bus after running eight seconds and I said look I’m winning conference
and I said look I’m winning conference
and I said look I’m winning conference next week and everybody looked at me
next week and everybody looked at me
next week and everybody looked at me like are here we go Jeff talking all
like are here we go Jeff talking all
like are here we go Jeff talking all that talking about what he’s going to do
that talking about what he’s going to do
that talking about what he’s going to do and he’s not going to do it and I heard
and he’s not going to do it and I heard
and he’s not going to do it and I heard somebody say yeah whatever Jeff you got
somebody say yeah whatever Jeff you got
somebody say yeah whatever Jeff you got it and I was like alright so the next
it and I was like alright so the next
it and I was like alright so the next week of course here comes conference I
week of course here comes conference I
week of course here comes conference I told you guys I had been losing every
told you guys I had been losing every
told you guys I had been losing every week I had been running slow nobody
week I had been running slow nobody
week I had been running slow nobody believed in me but me and my coach right
believed in me but me and my coach right
believed in me but me and my coach right before the meet you know my coach comes
before the meet you know my coach comes
before the meet you know my coach comes up to me and he says hey how you feeling
up to me and he says hey how you feeling
up to me and he says hey how you feeling I was like Coach I feel like I’m
I was like Coach I feel like I’m
I was like Coach I feel like I’m gonna win he’s like all right let’s get
gonna win he’s like all right let’s get
gonna win he’s like all right let’s get it and one of my other coaches he was
it and one of my other coaches he was
it and one of my other coaches he was like look I don’t know what you’re
like look I don’t know what you’re
like look I don’t know what you’re feeling right now but I hope you know
feeling right now but I hope you know
feeling right now but I hope you know what victory you should know what
what victory you should know what
what victory you should know what victory feels like now before you step
victory feels like now before you step
victory feels like now before you step on the track you should know that you’re
on the track you should know that you’re
on the track you should know that you’re gonna win before you get out on this
gonna win before you get out on this
gonna win before you get out on this track and get in the blocks you should
track and get in the blocks you should
track and get in the blocks you should know that you already won and I thought
know that you already won and I thought
know that you already won and I thought about I was like wow that sounds good
about I was like wow that sounds good
about I was like wow that sounds good you might be right
you might be right
you might be right oh yeah it’s all for all these guys I’m
oh yeah it’s all for all these guys I’m
oh yeah it’s all for all these guys I’m I’m a witness today and of course
I’m a witness today and of course
I’m a witness today and of course perseverance again warmed up they took
perseverance again warmed up they took
perseverance again warmed up they took us out to the track and in the middle of
us out to the track and in the middle of
us out to the track and in the middle of us warming up to go run they said hey
us warming up to go run they said hey
us warming up to go run they said hey Tom systems not working we got to bring
Tom systems not working we got to bring
Tom systems not working we got to bring you guys back so now we’re sitting down
you guys back so now we’re sitting down
you guys back so now we’re sitting down and we’re cold we warm up they don’t
and we’re cold we warm up they don’t
and we’re cold we warm up they don’t want us to do anything and then as soon
want us to do anything and then as soon
want us to do anything and then as soon as I’m taking off my shoes of course to
as I’m taking off my shoes of course to
as I’m taking off my shoes of course to walk away they’re like hey the system’s
walk away they’re like hey the system’s
walk away they’re like hey the system’s working again it’s time to go back on
working again it’s time to go back on
working again it’s time to go back on the track so now I got a rush put on my
the track so now I got a rush put on my
the track so now I got a rush put on my shoes all the stuff is running through
shoes all the stuff is running through
shoes all the stuff is running through my mind and then I got on a track I was
my mind and then I got on a track I was
my mind and then I got on a track I was like hey I need a run through it was
like hey I need a run through it was
like hey I need a run through it was like no run throughs just get on a track
like no run throughs just get on a track
like no run throughs just get on a track I’m gonna build the gun let’s go all
I’m gonna build the gun let’s go all
I’m gonna build the gun let’s go all right
right
right runners take your mark set gun blows I’m
runners take your mark set gun blows I’m
runners take your mark set gun blows I’m neck and neck with my competitors from
neck and neck with my competitors from
neck and neck with my competitors from hurdle 1 to hurtle 5 I come off the last
hurdle 1 to hurtle 5 I come off the last
hurdle 1 to hurtle 5 I come off the last hurdle and I like a hare and my coaches
hurdle and I like a hare and my coaches
hurdle and I like a hare and my coaches heading saying you should know how it
heading saying you should know how it
heading saying you should know how it feels to win and I won conference the
feels to win and I won conference the
feels to win and I won conference the only person in my school history to ever
only person in my school history to ever
only person in my school history to ever win a 60 meter hurdle champion um so
win a 60 meter hurdle champion um so
win a 60 meter hurdle champion um so again perseverance people saying that
again perseverance people saying that
again perseverance people saying that you can’t do it and I ended up doing it
you can’t do it and I ended up doing it
you can’t do it and I ended up doing it that summer I ran 13:51 and the
that summer I ran 13:51 and the
that summer I ran 13:51 and the qualifying time was 1355 I get a phone
qualifying time was 1355 I get a phone
qualifying time was 1355 I get a phone call from a high school coach and he
call from a high school coach and he
call from a high school coach and he says hey hey T once you hate he wants
says hey hey T once you hate he wants
says hey hey T once you hate he wants you to compete for them in Olympic Games
you to compete for them in Olympic Games
you to compete for them in Olympic Games I can’t tell you the joy I had at that
I can’t tell you the joy I had at that
I can’t tell you the joy I had at that moment I was crying in laughing I didn’t
moment I was crying in laughing I didn’t
moment I was crying in laughing I didn’t know what to do with myself it was it
know what to do with myself it was it
know what to do with myself it was it was just a great all my gosh I can’t
was just a great all my gosh I can’t
was just a great all my gosh I can’t believe that this is really happening
believe that this is really happening
believe that this is really happening I made it but and this is another this
I made it but and this is another this
I made it but and this is another this is another lesson that I also wanted you
is another lesson that I also wanted you
is another lesson that I also wanted you guys to learn is thinking past your
guys to learn is thinking past your
guys to learn is thinking past your goals because at that time my goal was
goals because at that time my goal was
goals because at that time my goal was to make it to the Olympic Games
to make it to the Olympic Games
to make it to the Olympic Games I made it now what I didn’t think I want
I made it now what I didn’t think I want
I made it now what I didn’t think I want to make it to the Olympic Games in medal
to make it to the Olympic Games in medal
to make it to the Olympic Games in medal I just
I just
I just thought I want to make it to the Olympic
thought I want to make it to the Olympic
thought I want to make it to the Olympic Games so now that I got I got there and
Games so now that I got I got there and
Games so now that I got I got there and of course meeting all the bolts you know
of course meeting all the bolts you know
of course meeting all the bolts you know the guys on the USA team it was great
the guys on the USA team it was great
the guys on the USA team it was great but then I forgot the main goal which is
but then I forgot the main goal which is
but then I forgot the main goal which is trying to win a medal so when I got to
trying to win a medal so when I got to
trying to win a medal so when I got to the big stage the same lights that are
the big stage the same lights that are
the big stage the same lights that are shining on me now that’s how I felt
shining on me now that’s how I felt
shining on me now that’s how I felt standing in front of I think it was like
standing in front of I think it was like
standing in front of I think it was like a hundred or 120,000 people and my coach
a hundred or 120,000 people and my coach
a hundred or 120,000 people and my coach told me when you go out there don’t look
told me when you go out there don’t look
told me when you go out there don’t look left don’t look right don’t look up just
left don’t look right don’t look up just
left don’t look right don’t look up just go out there set your blocks and you’ll
go out there set your blocks and you’ll
go out there set your blocks and you’ll be fine and of course the first thing I
be fine and of course the first thing I
be fine and of course the first thing I do not listen it is walk out of the
do not listen it is walk out of the
do not listen it is walk out of the tunnel and I looked up and I’m and
tunnel and I looked up and I’m and
tunnel and I looked up and I’m and there’s a video I wish I could show you
there’s a video I wish I could show you
there’s a video I wish I could show you guys but I’m the only person that’s like
guys but I’m the only person that’s like
guys but I’m the only person that’s like this oh my god everybody else to send
this oh my god everybody else to send
this oh my god everybody else to send their blocks and I’m the only person oh
their blocks and I’m the only person oh
their blocks and I’m the only person oh my gosh I can’t believe that I’m really
my gosh I can’t believe that I’m really
my gosh I can’t believe that I’m really here that’s what my heart that’s what my
here that’s what my heart that’s what my
here that’s what my heart that’s what my heart starts to feel like and now I get
heart starts to feel like and now I get
heart starts to feel like and now I get in the race and my mind is not on racing
in the race and my mind is not on racing
in the race and my mind is not on racing I’m looking I’m focused on oh my gosh
I’m looking I’m focused on oh my gosh
I’m looking I’m focused on oh my gosh everybody’s here and later looking at me
everybody’s here and later looking at me
everybody’s here and later looking at me and I didn’t make the semifinals fast
and I didn’t make the semifinals fast
and I didn’t make the semifinals fast for 2016 throughout those years a lot of
for 2016 throughout those years a lot of
for 2016 throughout those years a lot of people think that the Olympic Games is
people think that the Olympic Games is
people think that the Olympic Games is our biggest stage well it is our biggest
our biggest stage well it is our biggest
our biggest stage well it is our biggest stage but people think that’s the only
stage but people think that’s the only
stage but people think that’s the only thing that we do but there are World
thing that we do but there are World
thing that we do but there are World Championships and many of the track
Championships and many of the track
Championships and many of the track meets in between those so from 2012 to
meets in between those so from 2012 to
meets in between those so from 2012 to 2016 I had nothing I had made a world
2016 I had nothing I had made a world
2016 I had nothing I had made a world team I didn’t make any CAC games for my
team I didn’t make any CAC games for my
team I didn’t make any CAC games for my country I didn’t win any medals during
country I didn’t win any medals during
country I didn’t win any medals during that time everything was out of whack
that time everything was out of whack
that time everything was out of whack and everybody thought alright maybe it’s
and everybody thought alright maybe it’s
and everybody thought alright maybe it’s over for Jeff I promised myself that I
over for Jeff I promised myself that I
over for Jeff I promised myself that I would make it back to the Olympic Games
would make it back to the Olympic Games
would make it back to the Olympic Games and this time I’m going to make it
and this time I’m going to make it
and this time I’m going to make it further than the preliminary rounds fast
further than the preliminary rounds fast
further than the preliminary rounds fast forward to 2016 I qualified how did I
forward to 2016 I qualified how did I
forward to 2016 I qualified how did I qualify I can’t tell you guys I just
qualify I can’t tell you guys I just
qualify I can’t tell you guys I just know whenever it’s time for me to step
know whenever it’s time for me to step
know whenever it’s time for me to step up and do something that I said I’m
up and do something that I said I’m
up and do something that I said I’m going to do it just happens because I
going to do it just happens because I
going to do it just happens because I think it I talk it into existence and I
think it I talk it into existence and I
think it I talk it into existence and I remember the track to me last summer it
remember the track to me last summer it
remember the track to me last summer it was that I was in Clermont and I hadn’t
was that I was in Clermont and I hadn’t
was that I was in Clermont and I hadn’t been running hot just like it was in
been running hot just like it was in
been running hot just like it was in 2020
2020
2020 of hadn’t been running too hot and I get
of hadn’t been running too hot and I get
of hadn’t been running too hot and I get to the meat and I see a coach
to the meat and I see a coach
to the meat and I see a coach I’m qualifying today he was like alright
I’m qualifying today he was like alright
I’m qualifying today he was like alright Jeff let’s get it I coach we get in a
Jeff let’s get it I coach we get in a
Jeff let’s get it I coach we get in a race
race
race I run the exact qualifying time which is
I run the exact qualifying time which is
I run the exact qualifying time which is thirty to forty seven the exact
thirty to forty seven the exact
thirty to forty seven the exact qualifying time that it took to make it
qualifying time that it took to make it
qualifying time that it took to make it to the Olympic Games now all cylinders
to the Olympic Games now all cylinders
to the Olympic Games now all cylinders are popping it’s time to get order track
are popping it’s time to get order track
are popping it’s time to get order track it’s time to go to work and I went to
it’s time to go to work and I went to
it’s time to go to work and I went to work and I was ready to run fast but
work and I was ready to run fast but
work and I was ready to run fast but then I fell I made it past the
then I fell I made it past the
then I fell I made it past the preliminary rounds and got to the semis
preliminary rounds and got to the semis
preliminary rounds and got to the semis and I fell now most people would think
and I fell now most people would think
and I fell now most people would think when you fall it’s over I knew that
when you fall it’s over I knew that
when you fall it’s over I knew that there was a bigger picture perseverance
there was a bigger picture perseverance
there was a bigger picture perseverance I had to make it I had to finish that
I had to make it I had to finish that
I had to make it I had to finish that race I fell the hurdle fell on top of me
race I fell the hurdle fell on top of me
race I fell the hurdle fell on top of me it hurt everything was going on I’m like
it hurt everything was going on I’m like
it hurt everything was going on I’m like oh my gosh I just fell in front of
oh my gosh I just fell in front of
oh my gosh I just fell in front of millions of people watching and people
millions of people watching and people
millions of people watching and people that are at the actual games but I got
that are at the actual games but I got
that are at the actual games but I got up and I knew that there were people
up and I knew that there were people
up and I knew that there were people that said I was never going to make it
that said I was never going to make it
that said I was never going to make it this far there were people that thought
this far there were people that thought
this far there were people that thought I shouldn’t I didn’t even belong within
I shouldn’t I didn’t even belong within
I shouldn’t I didn’t even belong within the with what the caliber of Ashley said
the with what the caliber of Ashley said
the with what the caliber of Ashley said I was with so I said you know what I
I was with so I said you know what I
I was with so I said you know what I need to get up and finish this race race
need to get up and finish this race race
need to get up and finish this race race and not only that I had kids watching me
and not only that I had kids watching me
and not only that I had kids watching me I coach at Cardinal Gibbons high school
I coach at Cardinal Gibbons high school
I coach at Cardinal Gibbons high school as an assistant track coach I know all
as an assistant track coach I know all
as an assistant track coach I know all of my kids were watching what type of
of my kids were watching what type of
of my kids were watching what type of example would I be and this is all the
example would I be and this is all the
example would I be and this is all the thoughts that run through my mind within
thoughts that run through my mind within
thoughts that run through my mind within a split second what type of example
a split second what type of example
a split second what type of example would I be if I gave up at this very
would I be if I gave up at this very
would I be if I gave up at this very moment what type of example would I be
moment what type of example would I be
moment what type of example would I be to anybody to fall and just give up well
to anybody to fall and just give up well
to anybody to fall and just give up well I got up I finished race I was probably
I got up I finished race I was probably
I got up I finished race I was probably probably took ten minutes to get from
probably took ten minutes to get from
probably took ten minutes to get from the woman well not maybe like 20 because
the woman well not maybe like 20 because
the woman well not maybe like 20 because I had a whole bunch of interviews but
I had a whole bunch of interviews but
I had a whole bunch of interviews but our time I got from the warmup I’m at
our time I got from the warmup I’m at
our time I got from the warmup I’m at the actual track back to the warm-up
the actual track back to the warm-up
the actual track back to the warm-up track I had to be the biggest mean of
track I had to be the biggest mean of
track I had to be the biggest mean of 2016 everybody had jokes my Instagram
2016 everybody had jokes my Instagram
2016 everybody had jokes my Instagram went crazy my Twitter went crazy means
went crazy my Twitter went crazy means
went crazy my Twitter went crazy means jokes and everybody was laughing and you
jokes and everybody was laughing and you
jokes and everybody was laughing and you know growing up I was a jokester so I
know growing up I was a jokester so I
know growing up I was a jokester so I didn’t take it hard you know it was like
didn’t take it hard you know it was like
didn’t take it hard you know it was like alright if it was me and I watched
alright if it was me and I watched
alright if it was me and I watched somebody fall I probably would’ve
somebody fall I probably would’ve
somebody fall I probably would’ve laughed too I probably wouldn’t make it
laughed too I probably wouldn’t make it
laughed too I probably wouldn’t make it mean but I probably would have laughed
mean but I probably would have laughed
mean but I probably would have laughed at it too but outside of the laughing
at it too but outside of the laughing
at it too but outside of the laughing I got more you know praise for finishing
I got more you know praise for finishing
I got more you know praise for finishing the race than anything else and that
the race than anything else and that
the race than anything else and that night when I got back to my room I got a
night when I got back to my room I got a
night when I got back to my room I got a message on facebook from uh from
message on facebook from uh from
message on facebook from uh from actually three people but one lady in
actually three people but one lady in
actually three people but one lady in particular because other two are like
particular because other two are like
particular because other two are like days later a fat forgot about all that
days later a fat forgot about all that
days later a fat forgot about all that laughter when I tell you guys this story
laughter when I tell you guys this story
laughter when I tell you guys this story I opened up the message and it was a
I opened up the message and it was a
I opened up the message and it was a lady saying she was just flipping
lady saying she was just flipping
lady saying she was just flipping through the channels and she had just
through the channels and she had just
through the channels and she had just stopped at my race now live they lied
stopped at my race now live they lied
stopped at my race now live they lied they didn’t show the race they didn’t
they didn’t show the race they didn’t
they didn’t show the race they didn’t show the finish but I guess at her time
show the finish but I guess at her time
show the finish but I guess at her time wherever she was they actually showed me
wherever she was they actually showed me
wherever she was they actually showed me finishing and she told me she was having
finishing and she told me she was having
finishing and she told me she was having suicidal thoughts the whole day she went
suicidal thoughts the whole day she went
suicidal thoughts the whole day she went from having suicidal thoughts to see me
from having suicidal thoughts to see me
from having suicidal thoughts to see me finish and she realized I don’t have to
finish and she realized I don’t have to
finish and she realized I don’t have to give up because I seen you because I’ve
give up because I seen you because I’ve
give up because I seen you because I’ve seen you finish it drove me to finish
seen you finish it drove me to finish
seen you finish it drove me to finish and not give up and not myself who only
and not give up and not myself who only
and not give up and not myself who only if only you guys can imagine what I was
if only you guys can imagine what I was
if only you guys can imagine what I was going through at that moment tears
going through at that moment tears
going through at that moment tears rolling down my eyes I was like oh my
rolling down my eyes I was like oh my
rolling down my eyes I was like oh my goodness
goodness
goodness I can’t believe I motivated somebody to
I can’t believe I motivated somebody to
I can’t believe I motivated somebody to this extent now I remember when I told
this extent now I remember when I told
this extent now I remember when I told you guys when I fell when I was running
you guys when I fell when I was running
you guys when I fell when I was running to my mind was oh my gosh there’s so
to my mind was oh my gosh there’s so
to my mind was oh my gosh there’s so much going through my mind
much going through my mind
much going through my mind I should finish I just fell oh my gosh
I should finish I just fell oh my gosh
I should finish I just fell oh my gosh in a split second but that lady seen me
in a split second but that lady seen me
in a split second but that lady seen me and she she chose to go on so again me
and she she chose to go on so again me
and she she chose to go on so again me persevering through falling make it well
persevering through falling make it well
persevering through falling make it well making it to the actual Olympic Games
making it to the actual Olympic Games
making it to the actual Olympic Games then getting there falling then getting
then getting there falling then getting
then getting there falling then getting up and finishing let’s you guys know you
up and finishing let’s you guys know you
up and finishing let’s you guys know you don’t ever give up on your dreams I know
don’t ever give up on your dreams I know
don’t ever give up on your dreams I know it’s cliche I know you hear it a whole
it’s cliche I know you hear it a whole
it’s cliche I know you hear it a whole lot I know you’ve heard everybody say it
lot I know you’ve heard everybody say it
lot I know you’ve heard everybody say it but it’s the truth
but it’s the truth
but it’s the truth whatever you put your mind to you can do
whatever you put your mind to you can do
whatever you put your mind to you can do they’ll never don’t ever ever let
they’ll never don’t ever ever let
they’ll never don’t ever ever let anybody limit what you have going on in
anybody limit what you have going on in
anybody limit what you have going on in your life let that be your friends and
your life let that be your friends and
your life let that be your friends and if it’s your friends they’re not your
if it’s your friends they’re not your
if it’s your friends they’re not your friends if anybody telling you you can’t
friends if anybody telling you you can’t
friends if anybody telling you you can’t do something you don’t want that person
do something you don’t want that person
do something you don’t want that person around you because that negativity grows
around you because that negativity grows
around you because that negativity grows and the thoughts in your head matters if
and the thoughts in your head matters if
and the thoughts in your head matters if you think I can’t you you won’t I tell
you think I can’t you you won’t I tell
you think I can’t you you won’t I tell my students that my assets that all the
my students that my assets that all the
my students that my assets that all the time I don’t want to hear the word can’t
time I don’t want to hear the word can’t
time I don’t want to hear the word can’t because if you say then that’s what’s
because if you say then that’s what’s
because if you say then that’s what’s going to happen if you tell yourself
going to happen if you tell yourself
going to happen if you tell yourself you’re going to make it you will make it
you’re going to make it you will make it
you’re going to make it you will make it so if you guys don’t get anything out of
so if you guys don’t get anything out of
so if you guys don’t get anything out of anything that I said
anything that I said
anything that I said a I hope you guys you know took away
a I hope you guys you know took away
a I hope you guys you know took away that you can persevere through anything
that you can persevere through anything
that you can persevere through anything and you can put you can do anything that
and you can put you can do anything that
and you can put you can do anything that you put your mind to thank you
you put your mind to thank you
you put your mind to thank you [Applause]
”
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