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June 30, 2010, 3:56pm
Lauryn Williams admits that an update from her world has been a long time coming. Here is a brief look at what she has been up to over the last three months, including getting to meet one of the sport's all-time greats.
By Lauryn Williams, Special to Universal Sports | Posted: Jun 29, 6:10a ET | Updated: Jun 29, 6:10a ET
I am way overdue for a brief update on what is going on in my world!
It is hard to be brief when covering the goings on of my life the last 3 months since I've blogged so I have put together some short updates with pictures.
I left off fund raising for Fun4kidz by selling my previous sponsors workout clothes. I am delighted to report that we made close to $2,000!!!
I am grateful to all those who participated. The remainder of the clothes were donated to various track and field athletes.
With that I guess it is time for me to announce my new sponsor...drum roll please....SAUCONY!!!!
Pronounced Saw-cun-nee. I really look forward to seeing what opportunities will arise from our partnership of the next four years. I think this company is interested on making an impact in track and field and society as a whole.
***
I met Evelyn Ashford!!!
Those who know me personally will tell you that I need to do far better in the area of being a fan of my sport.
Yet when at an Ambassadors for Clean sport orientation in Colorado Springs someone mentioned to me that Evelyn Ashford would be flying in the next day just as I was supposed to be flying out not meeting her was NOT an option. I rearranged the morning and risked being late to the airport just to lay eyes on the greatest 100m runner ever!!
Though choosing not to be an active participant in the track world she assured me she still loves tuning in and provided me with such wisdom and encouragement in the few minutes we got to talk to her.
It was AMAZING!!
***
One of the perks of taking a step back from a heavy competition schedule is the opportunity to see family events that I would usually have to miss because of important training that cant be missed due to upcoming high level competition.
One weekend I went to Washington D.C. to watch my cousin Jessica graduate from law school. My mother just met her sister for the first time two years ago and so I had no idea until then that I had five cousins, two of which are twins my age. It has been neat getting to know them and was really great to be able to travel to support such a huge accomplishment.
***
On June 3rd my great dane and best friend ever passed away. I am still not sure how things went so terribly wrong. I took an otherwise healthy dog in for ACL surgery and six weeks later she was dead.
I have never felt like I have let someone down they way I did Atheena. They say no one is perfect and that may be true of people but God created a perfect dog and gave her to me. Dealing with her absence SUCKS there is just no other way to put it. She will be missed.
***
If you want to be a part of something that has the ability to change your life, check out Ultimate Training Camp. I am so glad that I took time out and go and have this experience.
If you're a Christian athlete this is a MUST. It will take your spirituality to a whole new level!! If you're an athlete who is interested in finding out what Christianity is all about this is the BEST place to go. This camp has taken sports and God and meshed them perfectly!!!
You will challenge your mind and body in a way that wouldn't believe possible. If you're looking for a way to invest in yourself I would say you have to try this. I could go on about all the things we did all week long but it words won't do it justice.
***
The Jefferson Award for public service has the same clout as The Noble peace prize. Recently they made a division specifically for athletes.
The process started with 32 of us then was reduced to 10 and finally Nnamdi Asomugha and Tyrus Thomas were named the winners this past Tuesday June 22nd in Washington D.C.
I made the top 10, and although I didn't win I feel like I did. I won the opportunity attend the ceremony and to meet so many amazing people. I don't have my own foundation, the funds to get it going or the name that draw the kind of attention to draw the funds to keep it going but there are already enough efforts in existence to find something you are passionate about and attach yourself to it so you can aid in its growth and outreach.
Attending these sort of events serves as a great reminder that no matter how much you think your doing you can always challenge yourself to do more. It also lets you know that your not alone.
There are so many doing so much good in this world and it is so uplifting to see such big hearts in action. There various media outlets would have you believe that there isn't anything positive going on but a room full of people investing in other people in order to impact this world certainly does change that perspective.
April 13, 2010, 12:18pm
Giving has benefits bigger than any material reward I could ever receive.
Since running and fitness is my livelihood, I have been blessed with a closet full of work clothes or some might refer to them as workout clothes. As I transition in a new direction it is time for some spring cleaning. Out with the old to make room for the new! I am a firm believer in waste not, want not so I got the bright idea to share some of this incredible wardrobe with other women and young ladies at an affordable price and let the proceeds to go charity. There are many ladies who have been trying hard to regain their former shape or have lost weight and after awhile you want to look as good as you now feel. Hopefully an Olympian’s clothes will serve as an inspiration to motivate the receivers to be active and healthy.
The purchase isn’t the only thing you have to be excited about. All 50 of your dollars will go to Fun4kidz, an organization near and dear to my heart.
Fun4kidz acts on behalf of professional athletes to provide opportunities for disadvantaged children, in the United states and abroad, to enhance their academic and athletic abilities.
You can't beat the prices! I have so many items that most items are only "gently worn” some even still have tags. This is even cheaper than the outlets! Here is your chance fashionable workout clothes that can boost self-image because when we look good we feel good. I want to encourage girls and women to workout and look great by offering them my designer gear at a fraction of the cost. Now for an amazing price, You can get some of the high end clothes that the elite female athletes wear.
For $50.. You get 5 articles of clothing: 3 workout tops and 2 bottoms. The attached pictures can be used to reference the types of items that may be in your package. Due to the large number of items and variation in colors there is no option on the selection. The sports bra size is SM(4-6) The long and short sleeve T-shirt size is M(8-10). All bottoms are either SM(4-6) or M(8-10) but stretch so should fit nicely.
If you are interested, send an email to femalefitness@fun4kidz.org Please include your name, how many sets you would like to purchase, phone number, shipping address and one sentence describing the female that will benefit from the purchase. Orders will be filled on a first come first serve basis. Payment options include PayPal or check made Payable to Fun4Kidz
April 13, 2010, 12:16pm
Fly fly away...
A swedish proverb states: God gives every bird a worm, but he does not throw it into the nest.
My time with 6 year sponsor NIKE has come to an end. As a professional athlete it is valuable not to loose sight of business aspect of what you do. The saying is, “Never mix business with pleasure.” I would say I’ve failed miserably as that I have had some very pleasurable experiences the past few years courtesy of NIKE. I am appreciative of their taking an interest in me and having so much confidence in my ability to succeed to sign me at the tender age of 20. It was a great beginning to a new chapter in my life as I made the transition from collegiate to professional. Thru the ups and downs they have been consistently supportive. Many thanks for the relationships I have developed and grown to cherish thru opportunities given to me through this company. I am sure they are wishing me nothing but the best as I explore the next avenue of my career.
I would like to think of myself as a bird that has outgrown the nest and must now spread my wings and fly.
March 30, 2010, 7:20am
What an amazing time I had at Boys and Girls Champs in Kingston,Jamaica this weekend. I have heard about it quite a few times but Ato Boldon was the one who recently convinced me it was an event I had to experience and no better time than the 100th anniversary. I REALLY HATE to say it but he was right and I am glad I took timeout to see for myself.
Boys and girls champs is a 4 day event of team scored track and field events highlighting Jamaica’s school track teams.
My plan was to fly under the radar as a true spectator but I needed the hookup up for just one thing, tickets. Little did I know that by asking I was to receive far more. I got red carpet treatment the entire trip. Here are just a few of the perks: Expedited service upon arriving at the airport; a driver assigned to me for the duration of my stay, even the wee hours of the morning when I was “clubbing”; VIP service at Jencare Day Spa where I got a massage and facial; Complimentary VIP treatment at Quad and Fiction Nightclubs. This was all amazing but not more incredible than the love from the fans who had no idea I would be there. I did not encounter a rude or unsportsmanlike like person at all during my trip. I was recognized by most and warmly received by all I came in contact with. It couldn't be any more evident that these fans love the sport and the event really captures its true spirit. If we could create the excitement this country has for track and field world wide it would be amazing. They have it figured out as far as making it something people can become interested in. The reason is they measure the team performance not just the individuals so people have something to identify with. In a packed stadium that seats over 15 thousand, people were feverishly counting points contributed by an individual to the team standings. I can understand them finding it hard to concentrate because the noise and energy were unreal,and the performances were just as great. There is definitely something to be said for running thru the line as many races came down to the lean at the finish.
To sum it up, if you are a track fan this is an event that you definitely want to take part in no matter what part of the world you live in.
December 21, 2009, 2:21pm
NEW YORK, December 17, 2008 – More than 150 people gathered at the Edison Ballroom in
Manhattan last week to recognize the accomplishments of ten professional athletes who are
members of the Jefferson Award for Public Service Dream Team and the winner of the “Bill
Walsh Champion of Change Award”: legendary trailblazer and basketball Hall of Famer Nancy
Lieberman. The morning kicked off when the athletes gathered to ring the opening bell at the
NASDAQ stock exchange in Times Square, and went on to the 3rd Annual All Stars Helping
Kids Sports, Business & Philanthropy Luncheon.
Football Hall of Famer and All Stars Helping Kids Founder Ronnie Lott offered remarks about the
importance of giving back and set the stage for an electrifying series of speeches by the members
of the Dream Team for Public Service who were there. Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo),
Lauryn Williams (Track and Field), Justin Tuck (New York Giants) and AT&T Fan Favorite
Award winner Nnamdi Asomugha (Oakland Raiders) had the opportunity to shed light on what
inspires them to give back to the community.
“I know what it’s like to be helped by an All Star,” Asomugha said of All Stars founder Ronnie
Lott. “That All Star helped me with my career and showed me how to be a better player. He’s in
this room, and I thank him for helping me and helping many more people change their lives
through All Stars Helping Kids.”
The culminating speech came from Basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman, the winner of
this year’s “Bill Walsh Champion of Change Award.” The Brooklyn, New York native,
Basketball Hall of Famer, Olympian and now coach of the NBA Developmental League’s Frisco,
Texas franchise received the award for her charitable work and trailblazing efforts for women’s
athletics. She is the first woman to receive the award.
About All Stars Helping Kids
Founded in 1989 by Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, the mission of All Stars Helping Kids
is to promote a safe, healthy and rigorous learning environment for disadvantaged children. All
Stars Helping Kids achieves its mission by pooling the resources of athletes, corporations and
individuals to provide financial and technical assistance to high-quality academic and physical
enrichment programs working with disadvantaged children.
December 21, 2009, 1:55pm
PORT-OF-SPAIN; Trinidad: American sprinter Lauryn Williams is in Trinidad and Tobago, the home country of her father David. Lauryn’s father was born in Charlotteville, Tobago and grew up in San Fernando, Trinidad before migrating to the USA.
Full Article
December 18, 2009, 10:13am
I want to be like Nancy Lieberman when I grow up!
This past Monday I was fortunate enough to meet her among some other
very big names in the world of sports at the honoring of the dream
team luncheon for the jefferson award in new york. It is great when
opportunities like this arise as not having the same sort of fame as
other sports sometimes limits us from interacting with NFL, NBA and
other high profile athletes such as the Williams sisters. That said
when your not given this chance often you must bring every aspect your
A game. Speaking has been the little demon in my closet for my whole
career and despite me pumping myself up because I wanted to do well,
Monday was no different. I was to give a 2-3 minute talk accepting my
award and explaining what inspires me to give. Sounds easy enough
right???? WRONG!!! As if my nerves weren't bad enough, when two of the
four athletes present got up and gave excellent speeches I began to
obsess because I didn't know what I could say that was going to be as
appealing to the crowd and I was the only female. I certainly couldn't
be outdone by 3 guys!! It was between Nnamdi Asomugha and myself as
to who was next and both joked about how quick we would be because we
were making up something right at that moment. Little did I know this
was a setup! My name was called before his so I get up and deliver
something quick and straight to the point. Nnamdi on the other hand
decides give the best speech of all. I had been outdone by all three
guys what a shame! Thank God though Nancy swooped in and saved the
day on behalf of all women as it seems she has been doing her whole
life.
In case you don’t know Nancy is the first woman to have played
professional basketball but she played with men because the WNBA was
not yet in existence. Years later when the WBNA did get going she was
a member of the at the age of 50!!!
I was so inspired by her talk and the delivery of it, I am vowing to
make my improvement in this area a focal point this year. It was
really encouraging when once things were finished two women came to me
and said, “Your speech was great! If you had not told us how nervous
you were or that you were going to be quick you would have nailed it
right on the head.” I know I have some work to do as my job will
require me to speak and I am up to the challenge of fine tuning my
delivery until I can do as easy as say... Sanya Richards or Nancy
Lieberman
November 24, 2009, 11:41am
World Champions Venus Williams and Lauryn Williams, MLB star Curtis Granderson, NBA All-Stars Dwight Howard and Dirk Nowitzki, NFL star Justin Tuck form core "Dream Team For Public Service" for prestigious Jefferson Award
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ronnie Lott, NFL Hall of Famer and founder of All Stars Helping Kids, today announced the ten "Dream Team For Public Service" winners from 53 nominees selected for the Jefferson Awards for Public Service, which will recognize the top athletes who have given back to their community. The ten will be officially recognized in New York City at the third annual Sports Business and Philanthropy Luncheon on Tuesday, December 8. In addition, two top winners will be honored at the national Jefferson Awards ceremony June 22nd in Washington, D.C. Past Jefferson Awards winners include four Supreme Court Justices, seven Secretaries of State; as well as Oprah Winfrey, Alan Greenspan, Peyton Manning, Colin Powell, Lance Armstrong, Barbara Bush and Bill and Melinda Gates.
Full Article
November 11, 2009, 2:50pm
Lauryn Williams will be working with USADA in 2010 as part of their True Sport Ambassador program that promotes a clean sport.
This is a continuation of Lauryns work with USADA following the 'My Victory' campaign.
Lauryns committment to hard work dedication and clean competition is well known in the sport of Track & Field and in working with USADA, Lauryn hopes to help in the fight on drugs in sport.
November 10, 2009, 11:40am
What an amazing week I have had!
Monday was the start of practice, which is always a bittersweet experience, mostly sweet, although my
body at this moment would argue mostly bitter.
It is good to be open to different approaches and one thing that I have added to my fall training is cycling aka spinning. I have been introduced to MCycle gym and become totally addicted to not just the cycling but also the people in a very short period of time.
The energy surrounding you is as important as everything else that makes a champion athlete. I can't wait to see how it all comes together with my regular training.
Also, I had a great time participating in some homecoming activities for the first time in a long time.
It is wonderful how God places people in your path strategically. I met some great people and was reminded of all the reasons it is great to be a Miami Hurricane.
The best part of the homecoming activities was seeing my coach join me as a member of Iron Arrow, the highest honor attainable at the University of Miami. What an honor to be a part of such a group, and to know that people think so highly of a member of my support system that she also was granted membership.
In life surrounding yourself with good people is half the battle.
Today, I feel like I am winning the war! :-)
Talk to you soon,
L
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