Olympic and World Champion sprinter Twanisha "TeeTee" Terry joins the show to talk about navigating the mental and physical hurdles of forced rest. Sidelined by a lower back injury during what was supposed to be a dominant year, TeeTee opens up about shifting from “Phenomenal 2026” to “Patient 2026,” working through the frustration of moving recovery timelines, and finding clarity alongside her Star Athletics training group. She also discusses the mental shift between running the 4x100m relay versus the open 100m, how she cultivates passions outside of track—from crocheting and Lego building to authoring children’s books and running her nonprofit—and why staying true to yourself is the ultimate measure of success.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Navigating Forced Rest & Injury: TeeTee breaks down the lower back injury that halted her season, managing timeline pushbacks, and the mental shift required to embrace “Patient 2026.”

• The Power of Communication & Clear Milestones: How transparent conversations with coaches Dennis Mitchell and Sharif Lewis, alongside PT Brian, helped align everyone on realistic recovery goals.

• The Need for a True Reset: Why asking for a complete week off to visit family and her college coach helped reset her mental drive.

• Open 100m vs. 4x100m Relay Mindset: Breaking out of robotic “technical mode” in individual blocks to channel the unmatched confidence she brings to the second leg of the relay.

• Track & Field’s Accessibility Hurdle: Why the gap between the everyday running boom and track fandom comes down to broadcasting paywalls, fragmented meet schedules, and media access.

• Life Beyond the Oval: How writing children’s books, crocheting, building Legos, and running Starting Blocks for Dreams provide balance and identity beyond athletics.

• Academic Discipline: Earning a bachelor’s degree from USC in three years, completing a master’s in one, and balancing 20-unit semesters during heavy training blocks.

• Learning Healthy Selfishness: Why the natural “team mom” and eldest of seven had to learn to protect her own cup before pouring into others.

QUOTABLE MOMENTS

• "I really was on go all those years, so I’m definitely looking at it as a moment to be able to step back and just rest. Even though it was a forced rest, I’m okay with it."

• "You have to see yourself working for something. I know you’re not competing, but aim as if you’re working to compete... because that will help your healing."

• "Comparison is the thief of joy. Make sure you’re focusing on yourself and trusting your own journey."

• "I never know who’s watching. You want to make sure you’re you, through and through, and you just stay true to who you are."

SOCIAL
@teeteeterry_
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
@iheartwomenssports

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ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. 

Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.