Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendall Ellis.
Hi Kendall, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started running when I was seven years old (I’m now 26). According to my mom, the story goes that I kept coming home from school telling her how fast I was and how I was beating all the boys at recess. I remember the kids in elementary wouldn’t let me play tag because they could never catch me, so it wasn’t fun for them anymore. I ran throughout middle and high school, and by the end of my high school career, I was a top recruit for almost every school in the nation. I chose to attend the University of Southern California where I was a 14x All-American, 4x NCAA champion, 5x Pax-12 Champion and a Collegiate and American Record Holder. I’m probably most known for a viral relay leg that I ran at the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Championship to win the team title. I graduated in three years, just for fun to see if I could do it, with my degree in Business Administration. I also have my Masters in it all well. After college, I signed a professional contract with New Balance. It was never in my plans to run professionally, or even collegiately, but man makes plans and God laughs. I’ve been a professional track and field athlete for four years now and have 2 World Championship gold medals and an Olympic gold and bronze. We’ll see what’s bout to happen next.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not. I don’t think anything in life is smooth. I’ve always struggled with anxiety when it comes to track, even when I was 7. It’s gotten so much better over the years, largely due to my sports psychologist who I absolutely love. I used to really struggle with the pressure and expectations I put on myself, it was all internal. My parents and my coaches never put external pressure on me, but I know how talented I am and I always want to live up to that. Being blessed with certain abilities, I always want to be able to showcase that when I go out and compete. I used to put so much pressure on myself I would have panic attacks before a race. I robbed myself of so many opportunities and chances to have fun and just enjoy the sport. I have a few of my most difficult moments — London World Championships 2017. I was a junior in college when I made the team for the individual 400, my first senior USA team. Nobody expected anything of me, and because I put this imaginary pressure on myself to do something crazy, I did what was expected — nothing. I was having a panic attack before the race and failed to even make it out of the preliminary round. I remember feeling extremely embarrassed and ashamed and promised myself I would never feel that feeling again. From then on, I’ve become so much better at handling the anxiety. It’s still there and something I’ll probably always have to manage, but I have so much more confidence and enjoyment in the sport now.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a professional track and field athlete. I specialize in the 400 meter dash, but I do dabble in the 200 meters occasionally. I’m most known for a relay leg I ran my senior year at USC during the 4×400 meter relay at the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Championships. We had to win the relay in order to win the team title. After a baton mishap, we were pretty far behind and not expected to be able to catch up. I was anchor leg and ended up catching the team in front at the very last moment to win the title. It ended up being a viral moment all over sports center, ESPN, even Kobe tweeted about it. Four years later, I still get messages about it. It’s not my personal favorite sports moment of mine, I’m still really proud of the indoor 400m American and Collegiate record I hold, but it means a lot to me that that relay moment really resonates with people and I’m appreciative of the love they send my way. I’m sponsored by New Balance, so yes I do have a ridiculous amount of shoes, and I also represent USA when it comes to global championships like World Championships and the Olympics. Tokyo 2020 was my first Olympic Games and I’m happy to have walked away with two medals.
What makes you happy?
My people. The people who love me regardless of whether or not I run track. I’m very particular with the people I call my friends and allow into my circle, so those that are in it mean a lot to me. I have an incredible support system that keeps me grounded. I’m from south Florida and those people have a special place in my heart. I love being home and I love getting to compete there. Those people seen me grow up, literally from Day 1, from the junior Olympics to the actual Olympics and they love me all the same. Getting to be around the people who have witnessed it all and supported me through it, good and bad, makes me happy, especially with being so far away, as I train in Los Angeles and don’t get to go home as often as I’d like.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.kendallellis.pro
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kendi_kendall/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007585516407
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kendi_kendall
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2uUG8pYxv3T5OprhPqkbQA
Image Credits
Head image — Rich Show Image 1 — Aaron Anderson Image 2 — Jeff Cohen Image 4– USA Today
