After 31 incredible years in athletics, I can confidently say that I am a product of God’s grace, unwavering perseverance, and sheer determination. Representing Jamaica across five competitive levels in the 60m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, and the 4x100m, 4x200m, and 4x400m relays from 1996 to 2025 has been both an honour and a lifelong lesson. From the shores of the Cayman Islands to the tracks of Gainesville, Florida, I’ve carried the black, green, and gold with pride and more importantly, with purpose.

But my journey wasn’t all podium finishes and celebratory moments. Behind every medal was a battle behind every success, a struggle. This is not just my athletic résumé this is my testimony.

My story begins not as a champion, but as a sickly child.

Illness was my constant companion. Before races, during training, and sometimes right on competition day, I would fall ill. But even as my body tried to fail me, my spirit refused to give in. With God’s help, I pushed forward, one step, one race, one dream at a time.

In 1996, after three failed attempts at the National Primary Track and Field Championships, my breakthrough finally came. I earned silver in the 800m with a time of 2:22.00 and secured gold in both the 4x200m and medley relays. I will never forget overtaking the 400m champion in the last 20 metres that moment wasn’t just a victory; it was a statement: I belong here.

Later that year, I proudly wore the Jamaican colours at the Caribbean Championships in George Town, Cayman Islands, bringing home double silver in the 400m (56.04) and 800m (2:17.50). That experience opened my eyes to the world stage, but it also exposed me to the obstacles that would define my journey.

The years that followed were a rollercoaster of triumph and tribulation.

In 1998, I claimed gold in the All Ages Class 2 200m despite battling health challenges. The following year, a quadriceps injury tried to rob me of my sprint dreams, but I still led my school to double relay gold. I went on to impress at the National Parish Championships, earning silver in the 200m and helping set a new 4x100m relay record.

Settling into high school was no easy task, but destiny led me to Glengoffe High in 2000, where my trusted primary coach, Mr. Gary Williams, was now shaping young athletes.

But in 2001, life tested me again. Administrative issues kept me out of the National High School Championships for a second consecutive year. To make matters worse, I fell gravely ill later that year diagnosed with jaundice, food poisoning, and pneumonia. The doctors advised a year away from sports. But I knew in my heart my story wasn’t over.

By January 2002, defying expectations, I was back on the track, hungry and determined. Victories came personal bests in the 400m and 800m, championship records, and medals. But even in those moments, trials persisted. I collapsed during the National Championships semi final, carried off on a stretcher, unsure if I’d ever compete again. But my faith remained intact: better days were coming.

2003 was my defining year.

I was elected Head Boy and captain of the track team. I broke records, competed alongside legends like Usain Bolt, and stood on podiums I once only dreamed of. At the Carifta Games, I captured gold in the U-20 800m and placed fourth behind Bolt in the 400m, clocking personal bests in both events.

Together with Bolt, Kimarly Williams, and Isa Phillips, we delivered victory for Jamaica in the U-20 4x400m relay.

Later that year, I won the National 800m title, defeating my senior counterpart, Omar Wiggan, on his home track a moment that symbolized everything I had fought for. My journey continued to Bridgetown, Barbados, where I secured a bronze in the 4x400m relay at the Junior Pan Am Championships.

That same year, I was selected for the IAAF High Performance Training Centre at the University of Technology, Jamaica. There, alongside icons like Usain Bolt and Jermaine Gonzalez, we shattered the Gibson McCook Relays 4x400m record a record that stood for nearly a decade.

My time at UTech wasn’t just about athletics. I earned a scholarship, pursued studies in Art and Science Coaching, and graduated with a diploma in 2005. I also played a key role in winning Inter College 4x400m relay gold, defeating strong teams like GC Foster College.

But behind every accolade is a story of resilience.

My journey was never just about running. It was about refusing to quit when my body wanted to. It was about standing up when life knocked me down. It was about trusting God even when the odds were stacked against me.

Today, as I reflect on the last three decades, I know this: God’s promises never fail.

To every young athlete, student, or dreamer reading this let my story remind you that obstacles do not define your destiny. Your struggles are not your full story. There is greatness inside you. Keep running your race. Stay focused. Stay grounded in faith. Your breakthrough is closer than you think.

The best is yet to come.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of my story because I’m not done yet, and neither are you.

“Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 1:6