Kyra Jefferson Interview

07/22/20 • 58 min

TJ and Kyra discuss the race where she broke the collegiate record (1:15) and at what point the magnitude of her accomplishment finally hit her (7:52). She also opens up about the behind the scenes struggles from that year (10:36) and how she overcame them (12:08). Kyra discusses how she is approaching the 2021 Olympic trials (14:18) and the growth she has seen in herself since the 2016 trials (16:07). TJ asks her what she has to do differently this time around to make it to Tokyo (17:41) and how waiting an extra year has affected her mentally and physically (19:17). They talk about Kyra's father, Thomas Jefferson, being an Olympian and how that motivated her (22:22), what kind of expectations that has put on her (23:10) and any stories her dad has told her from his Olympic experiences (24:40). Kyra tells TJ what it means to her to represent the USA on the track (26:47). TJ asks Kyra about when she started in track (28:40) and what her parents, both accomplished track athletes, were like during her career as she grew up (30:09). Kyra discusses how close she came to choosing swimming over track (32:24) and when she realized she had a bright future in track and field (34:50). TJ asks why she ended up choosing to run for Florida (36:33). They breakdown what is was like to go pro. Kyra talks about the mentality switch upon turning pro (40:46), how long the transition took (42:21), when she saw herself as an equal (43:26), what it's like being a professional runner (45:29) and the pressure individual sport athletes, like track and field, have on them compared to athletes in team sport athletes (48:06). She discusses her Kyra Cares Foundation (49:24), how her foundation gets its message across (51:03) and when she realized she can make a difference with her personal brand (52:53). Kyra also discusses what she does in her down time (54:34). Lastly, TJ asks about Kyra's goals for the 2021 Olympic Trials (56:11).

Previous Episode

Christian Taylor Interview

TJ lists off some of Christian's accomplishments and talks with him about what moments from his career stand out to him (1:38). They discuss how he takes care of his knees with all of the pounding that occurs in triple jumping (2:45). Christian explains how difficult it was to change his technique in the prime of his career (4:18). He also discusses why Florida is so dominant in jumping (6:19). TJ asks Christian what the dynamic is between himself and his long time teammate and competitor, Will Claye(8:10), and how they interact during meets (9:48). Christian explains why the first time he ever jumped in a meet at the University of Florida's home track was in 2019, despite going to school there (10:50). He also talks about his expectations for competing in the new Hayward Field (14:30). TJ asks Christian why he put such an emphasis on finishing his college degree after leaving Florida (15:43), and Christian explains how hard that was while being a professional athlete (17:25). He also describes his reaction when he found out his event was cut from the Diamond League (17:25). TJ and Christian discuss the Athletics Association (21:44) including : the goal (24:49), the effect they have been able to have (26:43), the outside reaction to it (29:00), how COVID has created more dialogue opportunities around the Association (30:48) and his hope for the Association long term (32:50). TJ asks about how COVID has affected his training (34:11), what Christian's mindset is going into yet another Olympic trials (35:26) and how he trains his mind to be at a peak performance level (36:56). Christian breaks down a little track and field as he discusses what his style is to start his jump (38:19), which event has the most style (39:51) and what his favorite field event to watch is (41:39). TJ asks Christian how he got into jumping (42:57) and what the transition was like for him when he moved to England in 2013(44:26). Christian discusses his involvement with the group Classroom Champions (47:20) and what his interests are outside of track and field (49:03). Lastly, TJ talks with Christian about how much longer he sees himself jumping for (50:22), and what it will take to break the World Record (51:34).

Next Episode

Oregon Track and Field Interview

TJ explains the new format of this episode (0:06) and then introduces the athletes (2:13). Lexi talks about how the team found out that the Indoor NCAA Track and Field Championships were going to be cancelled due to COVID-19 (3:12) and what the scene was like at the track (4:20). Carmela talks about what kind of hope the team was still holding out that there would be an outdoor season (5:33). Max describes what went through his mind and what the day was like when he found out his senior year had been cancelled (6:24). Carmela talks about what went into her decision coming back for another senior year and not returning home to Spain (8:15). Max also talks about his decision to put life on hold and come back for his 6th year (10:05). TJ asks Lexi what that says about the culture of the team that these seniors are deciding to come back for another year (11:59) and what it means to be part of the first Oregon team to compete in the new Hayward Field (12:58). TJ talks with Max about what it means to hear that Head Coach Robert Johnson will not let the public in to see the stadium until it is revealed to the entire team (14:14). Carmela talks about what it means to know the stadium was designed specifically for the Oregon student-athletes needs (16:07), and Lexi talks about what having all these new team areas in the stadium will do for team chemistry (17:43). Max talks about what it was like for the team to get to sign one of the beams on the stadium (18:37). Lastly, Lexi, Carmela and Max each share what they are most excited about for the new stadium (20:13). TJ wraps up the episode at the end (22:28).