'Do things that fill your cup' - Gabby Thomas advices young athletes on secret to longevity and avoiding burnout

Gabby Thomas Photo: Grand Slam Track

'Do things that fill your cup' - Gabby Thomas advices young athletes on secret to longevity and avoiding burnout

Funmilayo Fameso 20:24 - 01.10.2025

Gabby Thomas insightfully revealed that Longevity > burnout in her advice to young athletes, and the need to do other things so as to keep showing up.

In a sport where longevity and consistency are essential for remaining relevant, Olympic champion Gabby Thomas has shared her advice for young athletes on how to achieve an iconic career.

The American sprint queen who has had a successful track career so far while combining it with being a medical personnel, is one of the most respected sports personalities and a role model to several young athletes.

Gabby Thomas during the Paris Olympics 4x400m relay final. Photo. Imago.

While speaking on the @unfilteredwaterpodcast, Thomas advised younger athletes on the importance of longevity and doing other things outside the sport, so as to avoid burnout and keep showing up.

"I say this all the time with younger athletes who want to go into track or any other type of sport, even though you're on, it's like making sure that you have that balance while you're also competing while you're training.

"So when I go back to track and field, it's not like one lane. It doesn't matter, like you're doing other things that fill your cup so that you can have long careers, you can have longevity, and you can feel not burnt out," she said.

Thomas memorably won three gold medals at the Paris Olympic Games last summer, bringing her total number of Olympic medals to five after winning a silver and bronze medal at the Tokyo 2021 Games.

Gabby Thomas was crowned the undisputed sprint queen at the Paris Olympic Games

Unfortunately, the 28-year-old's dream of claiming her first individual world title was dashed following a lingering injury that saw her withdraw from the just concluded Tokyo 2025 World Championships.

Thomas remains a perfect role model as a representation for Beauty and Brain, and as a track goddess.

Gabby Thomas Swimsuit shoot for Sports Illustrated. Photo Credit - @gabbythomas via Instagram

She studied neurobiology with a minor in global health and health policy and a citation in French at the prestigious Harvard University and has a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Texas, which she completed in May 2023.