The Incredible Journey Of The Track & Field Athlete: Deedee Trotter

DeeDee Trotter is an American track & field athlete. Trotter is a former NCAA national champion in the 400m, and competed in the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Summer Olympics. There, she was a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 4 × 400 m relay (2004 and 2012), in addition to a bronze medalist in the 2012 400m event. She placed 5th in the same event in 2004. Trotter is currently a brand ambassador for international company Education First, and a global motivational speaker.

Being a fantastic Track & Field Athlete, Deedee Trotter joined Namita Nayyar, President Women Fitness, in a candid conversation on her life and journey as an Olympic Athlete.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

You have been a three-time World Champion as a member of the 2003, 2007 and 2010 4x400m relay teams, a three time 400m U.S. Champion and a three-time Olympian, which is an accomplishment that ranks you amongst the greatest female athletes in the world. Tell us more about this spectacular journey and how it all began?

Ms. Deedee Trotter:

For many that have accomplished what I have of the sport, it started as a child a dream but for me my dreams and intentions were never really to be an Olympic Track Star. When I was younger I only had dreams of playing basketball, specifically playing for the late and great Pet Head Summit of the University of Tennessee. It was her program and example if greatness that put me in pursuit of attending college and becoming a winner.

Ultimately I would take a track and field scholarship to the University of Tennessee and I would never get an opportunity to play basketball, however my talent in track and field quickly launched me on to the big stage and by my sophomore year I had made my first world championship team in 2003 and a 2004 during my junior year I became the NCAA Champion, Olympic Gold medalist in the 4x400m relay, and the first University of Tennessee Lady Volunteer to turn professional before my eligibility was concluded in any sport. Everything that occurred beyond that point would be a combination of the same equation hard work, perseverance, dedication, determination, focus and never give up mentality.

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Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Introduce us to a day in the life of a track and field athlete, preparing for the Olympic Games.

Ms. Deedee Trotter:

As a full-time professional athlete contracted by Adidas, Saucony, and private sponsors over my 13 year career; the first thing I would like to do is clear up a common misconception that many people still have about Olympic athletes. That misconception is that the Olympics are the only thing that we train in or prepare for in a four year time-frame. On the contrary being a professional track and field athlete is very much like being a professional golf player we have contracts from shoe companies and endorsement deals. We participate in a regular sporting season every year that end in a championship fashion whether it be World Championships, world cup, or the Olympic Games.

I say this because I think it’s important that this is understood when an athlete is training for the Olympics or any major championship it is a part of their livelihood. The intensity and the dedication that I had to apply everyday to endure sure that I preform to my best ability is of extreme importance. During the fall some training they start at 5 AM and you come back again for your second session in the afternoon. It’s a combination of endurance training, weight training, and hours in the medical training room trying to recover your body to come back and do it again the next day.

Then I go home focus on diet and schedule a week of secondary therapy including massage, chiropractors and acupuncture. It’s literally impossible for me to describe all the steps that I take in a day in order to become my very best because literally every minute of every day is a minute that can be used to make myself better, how to put it quite simply is the ultimate of personal sacrifice.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine that you may like to share?

Ms. Deedee Trotter:

I personally believe that the core areas of your body is the center of your power. If you strengthen your core all the other areas of your body can become stronger. For that reason my favorite workout exercises include core strengthening using TRX, exercise balls, medicine balls and many other techniques.

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Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?

Ms. Deedee Trotter:

When I was competing it didn’t take me long to settle on a dietary regimen. The secret for me was eating and then assessing. I would eat certain things and then watch very carefully to how my body responded to them. By doing this I was able to eliminate foods that were not the best energy source for me and increase foods that gave me a positive response. Nutritional diet became very simple for me. I basically illuminated fried foods and eating out, I ate lots of fruit and vegetables mostly fresh instead of frozen or canned, I ate healthy small snacks throughout the day to keep my metabolism going and to prevent from getting too hungry and eating large meals at night, and lastly I watched my portion sizes.

I was very lucky that throughout my entire career I never had to monitor weight gain, even after I turned 30. My eating was always about fueling my body with the best so that I could perform at my optimal level. I have two sayings when it come to giving healthy eating tips.

1. “You can grill it, Fillet it, sauté it, do whatever you want to it, just don’t fry it y’all…. just don’t fry it”.
2. “Don’t deprive yourself or you will binge. Have a cookie, just don’t sit there in front of the TV and eat the whole box! Moderation and exercises!”

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Your London fans had nicknamed you the “Glitter Face Warrior.” What is the story behind this fantastic nickname?

Ms. Deedee Trotter:

I wish I knew who to give credit for the awesome nickname Glitter Face Warrior but all I really know is that I woke up the morning after competing in the women’s 400m final, where I won the bronze medal and my face was on the cover of a London news paper with a headline that read “Put Your Games Face On”. I would then read in other articles quotes that said “They call her the Glitter Face Warrior”. The truth is, the glitter was pretty but when I put it on it was definitely my warpaint. I believe I might’ve said that and a few articles preceding the games and maybe this is where the terminology was created to describe me. When I googled myself I really saw why the word warrior made so much sense. Some of the photos I didn’t even recognize myself! I definitely had my game face on.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

How did you feel before and after winning your first individual Olympic medal, bringing home the bronze in the women’s 400m race, at the 2012 London Summer Olympics?

Ms. Deedee Trotter:

Coming into the 2012 Olympic Games I had the motivation from three years of prior failure. After the 2008 Olympic games I had a knee surgery that basically destroyed every year in between. By the time 2012 Harold around people had pretty much forgotten about me and no one was even thinking or considering me for an Olympic team. This would prove to be my most triumphant year because I had to overcome so many obstacles and breakdown so many barriers in order to make what was said to be the impossible happen. I didn’t go to the 2012 Olympic Games racing to get the bronze medal if you witnessed or look this race up to watch, you will see that I ran in pursuit of the gold.

With getting the bronze medal you have to imagine that there was some sense of a bittersweet moment within the victory however my time of 49.72, was the fastest time I have been able to run since 2007 because of the knee injury that occurred after. I’m very fortunate that I recognize what winning looks like for me so I can walk away from that race extremely proud of myself knowing that I gave my absolute very best, I left it all on the track and because of that I view my bronze medal as simply a different shade of gold.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Who has been your greatest influence and motivator in your success in the field of your career?

Ms. Deedee Trotter:

The greatest influence throughout my career has been my spiritual belief that God gave me a great gift and it was my responsibility to use it to the best of my ability. I believe there was purpose in my running so I did that until I couldn’t anymore. It’s that simple.

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Ms. Namita Nayyar:

You are an Athlete, Fitness Model, Global Motivational Speaker, Ambassador and Spokesperson of Test Me I’m Clean. How do you manage such a remarkable multi-dimensional lifestyle?

Ms. Deedee Trotter:

Well as a newly retired athlete, it didn’t take long before I had to re-introduce myself into the working world because at the age of 33 there still a lot of life to live so I had to start a new working chapter in my life. I was very fortunate to be offered an opportunity with a company called Education First or EF as their Olympics Ambassador. This company educates through teaching language and world travel. My job as Olympics ambassador is to travel around the world and use my athletic and life story as a motivational message to people of all ages.

In addition to that EF has partnerships with the next two Olympic Games so I will be a great addition to bridging these relationships. It’s a very cool job and it has been key in creating my platform as a global motivational speaker. Besides running , motivational speaking is truly my gift.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding track and field athletes who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in this field?

Ms. Deedee Trotter:

My experiences have taught me one thing and that is believing is the key to achieving your dreams and goals. It’s very important that you don’t introduce doubt and fear into your equation of success or you will surly see your dreams and your goals crumble. You have to believe, even if no one else believes in you, you must always believe in yourself. That’s how you will reach your goal medal moment in life.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?

Ms. Deedee Trotter:

I think womenfitness.net is a wonderful source of inspiration and motivation for women of all walks of life. We can never have enough of that. So big ups to women empowerment and girl power!