In 2019, Alaysha ‘Lay’ Johnson couldn’t make it to the final round of 100m hurdles in the women’s category. The championship had been special to her, as in most cases, the performances from NCAA Div. 1 Outdoor Championships dictate the athletes’ fate of landing a sponsorship. However, Alaysha Johnson had to stop in the semifinal round much before making her step on the podium, facing the most obvious outcome.

The subsequent experience made it to a post on X, “Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me. -Psalms 23:4”. Five years later, the Texas Tech University alum can flaunt the ‘Olympian’ tag beside her name now. But has her journey through the valley of the shadow of death been over? No, not really. Alaysha Johnson has new challenges in front of her. But now she knows how to overcome those, even without external help. 

Alaysha Johnson stays real in the face of adversities 

Taking a break from her preparation for the Paris Olympics, Alaysha Johnson recently appeared in the Pivot Podcast. With everything else being discussed, the topic inevitably veered toward her race in the US Olympic trials on June 30. Notably, Alaysha availed the Olympics ticket in the 100m hurdles event in the women’s category. In the trials final, she took 12.31 seconds to qualify for the Games and she did it without any sponsorship. That left the hosts, Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor, and Channing Crowder, speechless. But she continued to add, “I did it with no sponsorships. I did it with a black designer on my chest, with long weave, and nails and lashes.” All these instances express her attitude toward being firm in her resolve for glory. In her present situation, Alaysha has nothing but to follow such a statute to keep herself afloat. 

At present, she has jobs to pay the bills and championships to earn a few extra nickels. Eventually, that raises the need to stay at the top of her fitness and her game. That’s the reason she can’t miss her routines, even though it makes her take a nap in the car her coach has given her. Yet, this is not the end of her struggles. 

Topping everything, Alaysha Johnson has hypothyroidism. In the podcast, she divulges her experiences from being afflicted with it: “My hair is falling out, my skin is really dry” Still, those barriers don’t silence her, as she added, “I’m putting in a lot of effort to get half of the results.” Her effort was exemplified throughout this year, as in the trials final, Alaysha clicked her personal best in the 100m hurdles. Still, she is yet to have a sponsor, and frankly, she is yet to know why she does not have one. Notwithstanding it all, she has started to attract attention lately. 

A boastful appearance attracts criticism but a savior 

After her victory in the US Olympic trials, Alaysha Johnson felt emotional. Naturally, the feeling of earning her first Olympic berth from such a cornered situation has its own tale. So ultimately, her emotion gave way during a post-match conversation. As a result, the world saw Alaysha sobbing, dedicating her victory to all those who face similar challenges as she did. “This is for the hood babies, the people who are poor and come from nothing, this is for everybody that looks like me that was ever doubted. And I did it with a Black designer on my chest. This is what I stand for and I’m making a way for everybody in my position,” she added. Such an expression did not go down well for Michael Knowles, the popular commentator. 

Finding Alaysha’s comments loose on the platform, he said, “The only people in Olympic running who might not think they can make it are the people who don’t look like her.” That awakened the kangaroo court on social media in no time. But Alexis Ohanian thwarted the vicious attack on the athlete. 

Without sugarcoating his words, the Reddit founder added, “Don’t give this clown any of the attention he craves.” That doused the criticism and kept Alaysha Johnson still seated on her throne. Does it not prove that lately she is losing her ‘Underdog’ status? Let’s hope for the best for her.