#17 Alysha Newman: My Olympics Didn't Go As Planned

My guest for this episode is Alysha Newman, a two-time Olympian with Team Canada. She is the  current Commonwealth Games champion in the women’s pole vault (she set a Games record  at the 2018 competition with a 4.75m jump). She represented Canada at both the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, also placing fifth at the 2019 World Championships.

Alysha was born and raised in London, Ontario, plying her trade as a competitive gymnast before a back injury forced her off the balance beam and into track & field. Alysha is a graduate from the University of Miami where she became a six-time NCAA Division I All-American and currently lives and trains north of Toronto in Caledon, Ontario.

We talk about her passion for working with brands that align with her values, being kind to your body and mind, and being transparent about difficult times as an influencer. I reference this Instagram post from August 3rd, 2021:

"Directly from me to you all, here is my truth of 2021. It was a absolutely sh*t year for me on the track. Completely opposite to my dreams and goals I put out for myself. Everything that could have gone wrong, went wrong. 

You could look at my 2021 year and say I hit rock bottom in my pole vaulting career or you could say damn Alysha, look at the mountains, obstacles and sh*t you put up with. It wasn’t easy, it was really hard on my family, my coaches and especially me and my mental health."

Follow @AlyshaNewman