From Olympic Gold to Rock Bottom… and Back Again

He’s one of the fastest men in history. Justin Gatlin is an Olympic gold medalist, 5-time Olympic medalist, World Champion, and the only sprinter to defeat Usain Bolt on the world stage. But his story is about far more than speed. It’s about resilience, reinvention, and mental toughness. In this inspiring conversation with Kelly Siegel, Justin opens up about his Olympic journey, battling boos from a stadium of 100,000 fans, overcoming scandals, redefining his identity after retirement, and why mental health is the next frontier in sports. Justin also shares powerful insights on visualization, meditation, mentorship, and fatherhood. Lessons that go far beyond the track and apply to business, life, and leadership. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 💡 The step-by-step mindset that took Justin from “fast kid” to Olympic champion. 💡 What it felt like to win gold at 22 and to beat Usain Bolt in 2017. 💡 The mental cost of retirement and how to redefine identity after sport. 💡 Why mental health and mentorship are critical for the next generation. 💡 Lessons on discipline, competition, and legacy from fatherhood. Main Points: 00:00 Intro 03:28 Justin Gatlin's Early Life and Sprinting Journey 05:20 Olympic Glory and Career Highlights 06:22 Racing Against Usain Bolt 13:01 Retirement and Life After Competition 16:03 Redefining Your Identity 19:38 Justin's Newfound Purpose 21:36 Maintaining Peak Performance & Longevity 23:50 The Power Of Visualization 30:53 Justin's Mentors 35:09 Importance Of Mental Health In Athletics 37:58 Supporting The Next Generation 40:04 Overcoming Fear and Building Mental Toughness 42:06 Justin's New Book: Ready Set Go 44:59 Fatherhood & Legacy 50:23 Advice To Younger Self 51:23 How Justin Wants To Be Remembered 53:28 Rapid Fire Questions 💬 Which part of Justin’s story inspired you most? Winning gold, beating Bolt, or redefining himself after sport? Drop your answer in the comments 👇 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes with world-class guests who help you live, lead, and thrive Harder Than Life. Connect With Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelly.siegel.71/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-siegel-0146a3/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kellysiegel71 Connect with Justin: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/justingatlin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justingatlinusa/ Subscribe To The Podcast Here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/harder-than-life/id1725989697 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29NOnhItmCLkZ9sLswABKS?si=d81915ddabc0420a YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCncVFeA5P2LrAovuofQQcDg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices