Noah Lyles is not just the world’s fastest track and field star; he’s a beacon of resilience and courage. Every word he utters is dissected by the world, magnified under an unforgiving spotlight. When he spoke about the NBA, his comments were blown out of proportion, leading to a torrent of trolling from both fans and players. Yet, despite the relentless scrutiny, Lyles remains undeterred, especially when it comes to addressing one of the most crucial issues of our time: mental health.

Lyles has bravely shared his ongoing battle with depression, openly admitting his use of anti-depressants. His journey hasn’t been easy. Before the Tokyo Olympics, the stringent COVID regulations weighed heavily on him, exacerbating his struggles. The tragic death of George Floyd, which sparked nationwide protests, plunged Lyles into even darker thoughts. Yet, amid these challenges, he has shown remarkable strength, gradually finding his way to a better place.

In a candid interview, Lyles revealed how his mother, a life coach, has been his rock. Her wisdom and support have been invaluable, helping him navigate his darkest days. With her guidance, he is slowly but surely reclaiming his mental well-being, one step at a time.

Noah Lyles talks about his battle with mental health from a young age

At the Everybody Wants To Be Us YouTube channel, Noah Lyles opened up about his mental struggles. He talked about how his mother identified it at a very young age. She noticed the signs and got help for him, instead of waiting for a tragedy to happen. He said, “My mom deals with clinical depression and she saw those traits within me and my siblings. So what she did was she put us in therapy very early on and she said if you like this, this is something you can continue throughout your life and I chose to continue it. So, I actually have three therapists now. I’ve been dealing with a grief therapist as of late (as I am) having a lot of loss in my friends and family recently. So I didn’t want something like that to continue to fester over time, so I took the step to say ‘Yeah I got to tackle this before it becomes a problem’.”

He continued saying that therapy has made him confident and got him where he is today, “I also find it to be a huge advantage over my competition when I step into a room, I wanna know that I’m the guy and no matter what anybody else does, I’m gonna stay that guy. And me having that mindset and knowing it’s a sure thing instead of you know fake it to make it, maybe when I first started I had to fake it to make it but not anymore and look at where it’s got me.” It is refreshing to see a male athlete at the top of his game open up about his problems. Him being honest to himself about it is what made him reach the pinnacle of track. His Olympics performance is a testament to that.

Noah Lyle’s incredible outing at Paris despite having tested positive for COVID

Noah Lyles entered the Paris Olympics with the weight of expectations on his shoulders, hailed as the clear favorite to win gold in the 100m. His fiercest competitor was Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, who had stunned the world by clocking 9.77 seconds at the Jamaican Olympic trials. This set the stage for a thrilling showdown in the 100-meter final, a race that promised high drama and delivered even more.

As the race unfolded, the tension was palpable. Lyles and Thompson thundered down the track, neck and neck, crossing the finish line seemingly in unison. Both clocked an astounding 9.79 seconds, but Lyles edged out Thompson for the gold, his upper body breaking the tape just ahead. It was a moment of sheer athletic brilliance, etching Lyles’ name in Olympic history.

However, the 200m race brought a different story. Lyles, known for his dominance in this category, could only secure bronze, finishing in 19.70 seconds. The sight of him collapsing at the finish line and being carried off in a wheelchair shocked and concerned fans. The revelation that he had tested positive for COVID before the race, yet still competed, painted a picture of unparalleled determination.

Even more remarkable is that Lyles battles asthma, a condition that makes his achievements even more extraordinary. Despite these formidable challenges, he not only completed the race but also earned a medal, exemplifying his indomitable spirit. Noah Lyles’ performance in Paris wasn’t just about medals; it was a powerful display of courage, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of greatness, solidifying his status as one of the world’s best.