Noah Lyles’ mother had enough knowledge about depression to save the Olympian’s career! The American sprinting sensation might be the hottest thing in track and field at the moment. But he too has had his share of dark moments in his life. Going through depression and ADD was one of the biggest challenges that Lyles faced in his career. And that almost derailed his quest to become the track icon that he is now.

Keisha Caine, being an independent woman, always aimed to educate her kids about three main topics: the ill effects of depression, psychology, and, of course, track. She was all about breaking stereotypes, emphasizing that there’s a world beyond America that they need to be aware of. She wanted her kids to understand that it’s crucial to broaden their knowledge and not limit it to the confines of the U.S.

While this was a welcome move from a mother, Caine also focused heavily on mental health. She explored how depression works and was shocked to find that it can be hereditary. So, when she noticed Noah and her other kids starting to show symptoms of anxiety early on, her mom’s radar was on high alert. Fast forward to the pandemic, and she saw that Noah was feeling alone and depressed. He was living in Florida while she was in Maryland, and she could sense something was off.

In a recent interview on Spotify’s ‘Got It From My Momma’ podcast, Noah’s mother stated, “It was during Covid and I went to visit him. He was living in Florida, I was living in Maryland. There was no light in his eyes.” Determined to help, Caine reached out to Noah’s therapist. “And I called his therapist, and I said, this is what I’m seeing, this is what l’m concerned about. I think we need to talk to a doctor about medication. And she said, yeah, I agree. ” The therapist agreed, but getting Noah to accept this wasn’t a walk in the park.

“Miss Keisha” highlighted how the stigma around mental health can make people reluctant to seek help, often thinking they should be strong enough to cope without it. “I tell people it is no different from diabetes,” she explained. Despite being educated about mental health, even Noah had his struggles accepting that he needed professional help.

Caine shed light on the taboo surrounding depression, pointing out that sometimes the brain needs a little extra help producing those feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin. Thanks to her strong grasp of the subject, she convinced Noah to take therapy, and the rest is history. But even after Noah’s glory in Paris, Caine found herself watching over him closely, especially when she saw him lying on the ground, gasping for breath.

Keisha Caine blames security for Noah Lyles’ struggles

Taking the therapy turned out to be a boon for Noah Lyles. Coming to the French capital, Lyles showed no signs of depression as he looked charged up, raring to go. While the hype was growing around the American, there was also a skepticism that Lyles might not be good enough to beat the talents from Jamaica. However, when the race started, it turned out to be a whole different ball game.

Lyles ran one of the best dashes of his life, clocking a time of 9.79s. But drama ensued when his arch-rival, Kishane Thompson too, ended at 9.79s. With the judges going to the photo finish results, Lyles emerged as the fastest one, clinching his maiden Olympic gold medal. While this was certainly a moment to cherish for both Lyles and his mother, things were about to get tough for both. After winning the 100m, the anticipation shot over the roof about Lyles’ chances of making a double. Sadly, when the 200-meter race ended, Lyles looked significantly slower and could only manage a bronze medal finish.

Later on, the 100-meter gold medalist stated that he was racing with a COVID-19 infection that affected his lung capacity significantly. After the end of the race, Lyles collapsed on the ground, having difficulty breathing in. This was one of the most difficult sights to watch as a mother, Keisha Caine. As she nervously asked the security personnel to get Noah some help, it did not arrive immediately.

Expressing her frustration on the matter, Caine stated, “This was one of the scariest moments of my life! Watching my son hold his chest gasping for air while the stadium security refused to call a Dr. as I begged them to send him help. They also refused to do anything to help. They totally ignored me! No parent should ever have to experience this feeling of helplessness!” Talk about a nightmare for any mom!

Eventually, Lyles was wheeled out of the stadium in a wheelchair, and thankfully, he made a full recovery. But you can bet that Keisha Caine, with her fierce motherly instincts, will always be there to protect her son as he continues his quest for greatness. With that kind of love and support backing him up, Lyles is sure to keep soaring high on and off the track!