"I want to be a voice for the things that I felt were missing for me when I was young."
Being A Voice To The Future Generations
Natasha Hastings is an Olympic, World and US National Champion Track and Field Sprinter. She specializes in the 400 and 4x400 meter relay events. Born and raised in New York City, Natasha started running at the age of 9. While a student at A. Philip Randolph Campus High School, Natasha won the 2003 USATF Junior Nationals and the IAAF World Youth Championships in the 400 meters.
Following a successful prep career, Natasha attended the University of South Carolina, where she majored in Exercise Science. As a scholar athlete at USC, Natasha won both the 400 meters Indoor and Outdoor NCAA Championships her junior year, setting collegiate records in the process. Natasha finished her junior year undefeated in her competitions.
After turning pro in 2007, Natasha made her first USA Olympic Track and Field team in 2008, as a member of the Gold medal winning 4x400 meters relay team. Additionally, Natasha has made every USA World Championship team since becoming a professional sprinter. In 2007, 2009 and 2011, Natasha won the Gold medal as a member of the 4x400 meter relay team.
Not one to shy away from the Indoor season, Natasha won the 400 meters USA Indoor Track & Field Championship in 2011 and finished second in 2012. She went on to win the Bronze Medal in the 400 meters at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Sopot, Poland. Although she missed the 2012 Olympic team, Natasha refocused on her personal goals and had an outstanding 2013 season. In 2013, Natasha won her first U.S. National Championship in the 400 meters. In addition to winning the 4x400 meter relay Gold at the 2013 World Championship, Natasha finished fifth in the 400 meter final.
Continuing her successful career, Natasha finished second in the 400 meters at the 2015 USATF National Championship and won a Silver medal with the 4x400 meters relay team at the 2015 World Championships. Making a return to the Olympics, Natasha finished third in the 400 meters at the 2016 US Olympic Trials. After finishing fourth in the 400 meters final, Natasha won her second Olympic Gold medal, running the fastest split, as a member of the 4x400 meter relay team. It would be Team USA's sixth straight gold medal in the event.
While Natasha accomplishes a lot on the track, she knows that rest is just as important as exertion. She also knows how to have as much fun off the track as she does on the track. After she jokingly described the ladies of her collegiate track team as the “Gamecock Divas”, in honor of the University of South Carolina’s mascot, Natasha became known as the 400M Diva. For a further look into her personality and professional life, Natasha Hastings vlogs on her YouTube channel. Ultimately, as Natasha nears retirement, there is no doubt that she will continue to strive for excellence on and off the track.
In this episode, Nick and Camala talk with Natasha about handling adversity, being a voice to the future generations and becoming a new mom.
Learn all about Natasha and what's next for her.
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Special thanks to Natasha Hastings for joining me this week. Until next time!
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