It doesn’t matter where you come from. Once you believe in yourself and take your practice with utmost perseverance, you can achieve anything like Julien Alfred did. She marked it by standing on the podium in the Paris Olympics with a gold and silver medal. She is the first Olympic champion from St. Lucia, where the dear Juju or Julien Alfred started her first schooling at the Ciceron Primary. After her championship, she was enthusiastically celebrated in her school and by the denizens.

On Sep 26 this year, the school unveiled a mural of their world-class athlete to honor Julien in the presence of the country’s highest office holders. And you know, in that primary school, Julien found her initial stride toward impending success. But it started with childish traits. That childish trait, while Julien was enjoying the Ciceron RC Combined Primary, could be ignored. However, despite slender funds, the school and teacher didn’t miss the hidden potential among its pupils. And here is how it unfolded.

Little Julien Alfred was seen running

Before moving to Jamaica at 13, little Julien Alfred beat boys and girls in running on the rough alleys in St. Lucia. Her neighborhood was so disturbed that she could hear gunshots throughout the night. Later, realizing her talent in herself, she thought that it could help her escape from that rugged childhood. But can you imagine how tough it is in a small country that doesn’t have a single stadium to facilitate the upbringing of any athlete? But Julien’s school librarian spotted her talent. In a conversation with Nia Gibson on YouTube, Julien Alfred revealed how she came to know her talent and was recognized by her school’s faculty member. She said, “In Primary School running against like the girls even the boys at my school and beating some of them I think that’s when I really realized you know I had that special talent.” And it didn’t stop at childish mischief. One of her primary school’s faculty members saw the raw talent in Julien. “and my school librarian um spoke to my childhood coach and allowed me to join a club,” she acknowledged.

Her childhood coach was Cuthbert Modeste, TwaTiNe (Three Little Noses). He trained her as a junior athlete in St. Lucia. During her mural ceremony at Ciceron RC Combined Primary School, one of the speakers also recognized coach Cuthbert’s part in shaping athleticism in Julien. Struggling with a tough childhood and with the roughness around her, Julien initially couldn’t focus on everyday practice. But her coach didn’t let that talent be wasted, so he got her back every time. It put confidence in Julien. “that coach realized my talent even when I stopped he came back to look for me so I think around that time I really realized you know I had potential to do something good,” Julien said in the conversation.

That hammering thud that made Julien

Realizing her talent, Julien Alfred made the life-altering decision to leave St. Lucia and go to Jamaica for better athletic training. At the age of 14, the barefoot “female Usain Bolt” decided to follow the path she loves the most. But it wasn’t that smooth. Julien’s father died. Her family was struggling for food. Seeing the most loving father die, she, for a short time, left her practice. But she was determined, cutting every hesitation that shaped her glory in the world of athletes.

Now, focus on the life-learning lesson that Julien Alfred provides. Any hardship could be detrimental to anyone’s life. It hinders even the most talented. But one’s head-on fight and willingness to sacrifice or cut down pipe dreams with a high sense of reverence for any work can yield the fruits of desire, as Julien did.