Gabby Thomas has always been a fierce competitor on the track, but her journey to the top wasn’t without its struggles. Early in her career, Thomas wrestled with impostor syndrome, doubting whether she truly belonged among the world’s elite athletes. She questioned her place in the sport despite being a standout sprinter. Her perspective completely shifted after finishing on the victory stand at the Paris Olympics to claim one of the highest ranks among global athletes through outstanding achievement. The victory received more than just a trophy because it confirmed her efforts as well as eliminating inner uncertainties. But her story doesn’t end there.

However, Thomas isn’t just focused on the short-term. Thomas has already accomplished numerous things while simultaneously focusing on the 2028 LA Olympics with an organized road map for success. “I am definitely training for LA 2028,” she shared with Swimsuit.si.com. But that’s not all. She also revealed the harsh truth about what it takes to get there. “It takes me about four years to mentally prepare for that,” she explained.

Through many obstacles, Gabby Thomas continues her climb toward the top even though she knows the journey will remain demanding. The preparation process for the Olympic Games demands intense commitment, and she recognizes the demanding obstacles ahead. As she puts it, “It takes me about four years to mentally prepare for that.”  The process extends past fitness goals since the development of proper mental toughness takes multiple years to build.

She shows equal attention toward preparing her body for competition. “But physically, I don’t start until about eight months out.” While Thomas aims to participate in the LA 2028 competition, her immediate goals target the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships.

Gabby Thomas emphasizes her dedication to the World Championships in 2025 during her training efforts, while the event will be held in Tokyo, Japan, from September 13 to 21, 2025. The focus is sharp. Thomas has endured many insecurities, which pushed her to train above her teammates in various situations without always feeling secure about herself. Do you remember that time?

Gabby Thomas’ unlikely road to success

The feeling of impostor syndrome stayed with Gabby Thomas throughout her years at Harvard. Thomas felt estranged from her Harvard classmates, who were her peers during her first year as an undergraduate student of neurobiology at Harvard. Her doubts about passing the course revealed the internal self-uncertainty she experienced in her academic journey. These emotions of personal deficiency followed her throughout her entire athletic phase. Thomas expressed feelings of impostorship to the Olympic competition once he announced his training process for Olympians after moving to Austin, Texas.

The feeling did not disappear even after obtaining Tokyo medals where she won bronze for the 200m and silver for the 4x100m relay. So, how did she push through? She outworked it. Through her urge to prove herself, she dedicated extra time on the track beyond her fellow athletes. She determined that her place on the field required evidence showing she belonged. “I like walking into rooms feeling that way at first because it means that I’m challenging myself,” she told BroBible. The mental framework of embracing discomfort and continuing into it transformed into an invisible advantage for her. Thomas runs beyond the pursuit of medals to strive for something monumental in her life.

After track, Gabby Thomas plans to establish her own medical facility which will combat healthcare inequities throughout the country.. “Before I became a professional athlete, I wanted to go into healthcare… and one day, run my own hospital,” she shared on the Set and Pace podcast. With degrees from Harvard and a master’s in public health, Thomas spends her off-track time volunteering at a clinic in Austin, helping those without access to care. For her, this mission runs deep. “There are so many racial disparities in healthcare that exist today that I wanted to go and combat,” she explained. Her goal? She works to establish equal opportunities for everyone both inside and outside the racing competition.