Imagine standing tall at the podium with fans roaring with enthusiasm and the world bowing to the sheer brilliance and the extraordinary skills—that’s perhaps the dream of every athlete. However, beyond the accolades and the spotlight, the experience can be daunting to a few who might find it too much. And the effects compound 10x when it’s the Olympics, the biggest athletic event on the planet.

For Alexis Holmes, the whole experience was nerve-wracking. The world watched in awe as the 24-year-old took the anchor leg and steered her team to a comfortable gold in the 4x400m relay at the Paris Olympics. However, for the star sprinter who suffers from social anxiety, the constant spotlight, the uproars, cheers, and probing were too much. She opened up about her experience at the Paris Olympics on X and found an unlikely backer praising her resilience and grit. Let’s delve into the saga of Alexis Holmes, which is an ode to the often less talked-about struggles of athletes overshadowed by the glitz and glamor of athletic triumph.

Alexis Holmes details her struggle beyond the finish line

The story of Alexis Holmes details the stark contrast between the often polished and invincible image projected by athletes and the underlying struggles accompanying their success. However, when only a few dare to speak, world champion Alexis Holmes has courageously shared hers. Opening up on X, Alexis described the whole Olympic experience as extremely daunting. Yet she also revealed her secret to navigating the storm—a pat on the back and self-belief.

For Alexis, withstanding the crucible of pressure the ultimate athletic stage imposes deserves accolades of its own. However, beyond the hard-hitting experience, Alexis also championed the strong face put up by the athletes and their undying courage to keep going and conquer milestones. As she poignantly stated, “I’m proud of me,” she also found an unlikely backer.

The candid affirmation by the sprinting sensation resonated with many, including Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian. Replying to her tweet, the reddit co-founder celebrated her determination and grit, saying, “Take all the flowers and get ready for more at @athlos — and maybe a crown???” His heartwarming reply to Alexis is more than just a loving gesture. It’s a powerful acknowledgment of her athletic prowess and a subtle spotlight on his athletic initiative, Athlos, of which Alexis Holmes is a part.

Alexis Ohanian aims to empower women track and field athletes with his initiative, Athlos

Alexis Ohanian, the techie turned businessman, has entered a foray of startups and businesses gunning to revolutionize the sports world. After investing heavily in Angel City FC, a professional women’s soccer team based in Los Angeles, Ohanian is ready for another venture. He has come up with Athlos, aiming to uplift female track and field athletes.

His latest venture, set to debut on September 26th at Icahn Stadium in New York City, will feature 3 times Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas, multiple Olympic medalist Faith Kipyegon, and 4×400 Olympic relay gold medalist and world champion Alexis Holmes. The best part is the considerable checks that will accompany the winner. Whoever climbs the podium at Athlos will take home a whopping $60,000. That’s a big push for the efforts put in by leading athletes into their sports. Alexis Holmes will be a part of it, and given her recent run at the Paris Olympics, she is the top contender to put her name in the biggest check in track and field ever.