Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is known for her blazing speed and seemingly effortless domination on the track. But behind the medals and headlines lies a deeper, more powerful story — one of spiritual transformation, identity, and surrender.
At just 24, Sydney has already achieved what many athletes can only dream of. From her stunning world record in the 400m hurdles to becoming one of the youngest and most accomplished stars in track and field, her resume is staggering. But as she reveals in her new book Far Beyond Gold: Running From Fear to Faith, released on January 30, the real race was happening within.
In a candid interview with TODAY.com, Sydney shared how, for years, she was “running from God” — striving for success, validation, and love through performance. “If I won, that was my worth,” she says. “If I was loved, that was my value.” It wasn’t until a moment of reckoning during the pandemic that everything shifted.
“I reached a really low point,” she admits. “That’s when I said, ‘God, I surrender it to you. I don’t know what this looks like… Just show me what you’re trying to show me.’”
That surrender changed everything.
Sydney says the gospel became clear in that moment. “Scripture talks about the veil being taken off your eyes. That’s what happened. It just made sense,” she explains. From then on, her identity was no longer wrapped up in gold medals or public approval — it was rooted in Christ.
Her faith has not only grounded her, but also elevated every other part of her life. “Redirecting where my identity was is the biggest thing,” she says. “With Christ being the center and the focus, everything else has fallen into place.” And that includes her marriage.
In 2022, she married former NFL player Andre Levrone Jr., who is currently in seminary school. Their love story began, like many modern romances, with a DM on Instagram. But it quickly grew into something deeper, fueled by shared values, Bible studies, and faith. She says marriage has become “the biggest sanctification tool,” humbling her in unexpected ways. “I’m really good at pointing out flaws,” she laughs, “but not so good at taking correction.”
Their marriage is a partnership built on mutual growth, grace, and the desire to build a family. While they haven’t set a timeline, Sydney shares that she has “baby fever” and looks forward to motherhood someday. “I do really aspire to be a mom. I love babies,” she says, smiling.
Even as she trains for the upcoming 2024 Olympics in Paris, Sydney is thinking about the bigger picture. She reflects on a favorite passage from 1 Peter 1, which inspired her book’s title: Far Beyond Gold. “Medals don’t last forever,” she says. “They don’t follow you into eternity. But what does matter is your relationship with Christ.”
Looking ahead, she’s open to whatever God has planned — including retirement. “I think we’ll know when the time comes,” she says thoughtfully. For now, she’s focused on running with purpose, both on and off the track.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone isn’t just chasing records anymore — she’s chasing something far greater.