Page 24 - Inspire Health January/February 2016
P. 24
cover story
Lolo JonesTRAVELS IN THE FAST LANE
H By Patricia Danflous
urdles and bobsleds go sees all the things I struggled through
together like ice cream and to get there,” Jones says. “Yeah, I didn’t
jalapeños. The combination walk away with a medal or run away
may be inconceivable to some but with a medal, but I think there’s lessons
appealing to others. to be learned when you win and lessons
Ask Lolo Jones. The Olympic athlete to be learned when you lose.”
moves quite comfortably between hurdling While her achievements and
and bobsledding. One of the few female enthusiastic outlook position her as the
athletes to compete in both the Winter girl with everything going for her, Jones
and Summer Olympics, she’s earned knows what it is like to come from
a reputation as a fierce competitor, a behind to cross life’s finish line. Her
faith‑based woman and an expert in fourth‑place win in the 2012 Olympics,
balancing life’s challenges and pleasures. for example, came a year after spinal
Jones is also recognized as one of the surgery. It’s her formative years,
most attractive athletes to hit the track however, that may have given her the
or the ice. Her athletic achievements, competitive edge.
creamy skin, fit physique and charming The Iowa native grew up as one of
personality make her ideal for product five children raised by a single mother.
endorsements and sponsorships with Growing up poor, she moved frequently
brands like Asics. with her family, living in a church
Although an Olympic medal has yet basement for a time and changing
to come her way, the 33‑year‑old is schools each year until high school.
one of the fastest women in the world. She pursued her love of track at
She owns World Championships in Theodore Roosevelt High School in
hurdle and bobsledding events and an Des Moines, Iowa and made the difficult
impressive NCAA record. decision to live with four “surrogate”
A two‑time World Champion in families throughout high school so that
the 60‑meter hurdles, she came in she could participate in athletics.
fourth place in the 2012 Olympics and “Running was like the friend that never
seventh place in the 2008 Olympics left. It was just always there,” she says.
in 100‑meter hurdles. She finished Her sacrifices paid off: She won
11th in the 2014 Winter Olympics in the Gatorade Iowa Track and Field
bobsledding following the 2013 gold Athlete of the Year and Gatorade
medals at the World Championship. Midwest Athlete of the Year awards,
“Maybe there’s a little girl who thinks beginning her journey toward
she can be an Olympic athlete, and she recognition in the field.
– continued on page 26 –
24 INSPIRE HEALTH January § February 2016
Lolo JonesTRAVELS IN THE FAST LANE
H By Patricia Danflous
urdles and bobsleds go sees all the things I struggled through
together like ice cream and to get there,” Jones says. “Yeah, I didn’t
jalapeños. The combination walk away with a medal or run away
may be inconceivable to some but with a medal, but I think there’s lessons
appealing to others. to be learned when you win and lessons
Ask Lolo Jones. The Olympic athlete to be learned when you lose.”
moves quite comfortably between hurdling While her achievements and
and bobsledding. One of the few female enthusiastic outlook position her as the
athletes to compete in both the Winter girl with everything going for her, Jones
and Summer Olympics, she’s earned knows what it is like to come from
a reputation as a fierce competitor, a behind to cross life’s finish line. Her
faith‑based woman and an expert in fourth‑place win in the 2012 Olympics,
balancing life’s challenges and pleasures. for example, came a year after spinal
Jones is also recognized as one of the surgery. It’s her formative years,
most attractive athletes to hit the track however, that may have given her the
or the ice. Her athletic achievements, competitive edge.
creamy skin, fit physique and charming The Iowa native grew up as one of
personality make her ideal for product five children raised by a single mother.
endorsements and sponsorships with Growing up poor, she moved frequently
brands like Asics. with her family, living in a church
Although an Olympic medal has yet basement for a time and changing
to come her way, the 33‑year‑old is schools each year until high school.
one of the fastest women in the world. She pursued her love of track at
She owns World Championships in Theodore Roosevelt High School in
hurdle and bobsledding events and an Des Moines, Iowa and made the difficult
impressive NCAA record. decision to live with four “surrogate”
A two‑time World Champion in families throughout high school so that
the 60‑meter hurdles, she came in she could participate in athletics.
fourth place in the 2012 Olympics and “Running was like the friend that never
seventh place in the 2008 Olympics left. It was just always there,” she says.
in 100‑meter hurdles. She finished Her sacrifices paid off: She won
11th in the 2014 Winter Olympics in the Gatorade Iowa Track and Field
bobsledding following the 2013 gold Athlete of the Year and Gatorade
medals at the World Championship. Midwest Athlete of the Year awards,
“Maybe there’s a little girl who thinks beginning her journey toward
she can be an Olympic athlete, and she recognition in the field.
– continued on page 26 –
24 INSPIRE HEALTH January § February 2016
