Hyleas Fountain: World Leading Heptathlete & Winner of Olympic Silver Medal Reveals Her Success Secrets

Namita Nayyar (WF Team)

8 years ago

Hyleas Fountain was born in Columbus, Georgia. She is an American heptathlete. She was the silver medalist in the event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Her famous Quote” Two things define you. Your patience when you have nothing, and your attitude when you have everything”.

Fountain has been one of the top heptathletes in the U.S. for the past seven years, with multiple national titles to her name. She tied the American record in the women’s pentathlon at the 2010 World Indoor Championships with her score of 4,753 points, finishing in fourth place. Fountain became the only American woman other than Jackie Joyner-Kersee to win an Olympic medal in the heptathlon, in 2008. Initially she was the bronze medalist, but was moved up from third to second when original silver medalist Lyudmila Blonska failed a drug test.

Her time of 12.65 in the 100m hurdles at the 2008 Olympic Trials, worth 1,178 points on scoring tables, broke three records: American record, heptathlon 100m hurdles (12.69, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, 1988, Seoul); Olympic Trials record, heptathlon 100m hurdles (12.71, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, 1988, Indianapolis); and USA National Championship record, heptathlon 100m hurdles (12.77, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, 1991, NYC).

Not only an NCAA heptathlon champion, Fountain is also an outstanding long jumper, triple jumper, high jumper and hurdler. Credits her mother for introducing her to the sport at age seven. With Jackie Joyner-Kersee as her idol, Fountain says that in school she always wrote papers on her and Wilma Rudolph. Because heptathlon was not offered in Pennsylvania high schools, she had to wait until college. In 2002, she won five NJCAA titles and had three runner-up finishes for Barton CC. Transitioned her speed to the ice to help USA Bobsled as a push athlete and helped pilot Megan Hill to a bronze medal at the North American Cup tour in late 2012.

Off the track, Hyleas always ensures to make time for her two dogs, Febe and Ceiley. When not enjoying hobbies of photography, singing, and cooking, she expresses her true girly girl side and loves to shop. Philanthropically, Hyleas supports Run for Haiti and Girls on the Run. Additionally, she lends her time back to the sport in a leadership role as an athlete representative on the Board of Directors for USA Track & Field. Hyleas also finds ways to give back and promote athletics in her current training location of Daytona, FL.

Achievements of Hyleas Fountain in Heptathlon

USA Championships

Five-time USA Outdoor champion – 2005 (6,208); 2007 (6,090); 2008 (6,619); 2010 (6735w); 2012 (6419)
2005 USA Indoor pentathlon champion (4,417i)
2004 Outdoor Long Jump

International Championships

2008 Olympic silver medalist (6,619)

Collegiate Championships

2004 NCAA Outdoor long jump champion (6.61m/21-8.25 SR)
2003 NCAA Outdoor champion (5,999)
2004 NCAA Indoor long jump (6.58m/21-7.25) and pentathlon (4,412) champion

Personal Best -Outdoor

200 Metres 23.21 +0.3 Beijing (National Stadium) 15 AUG 2008
800 Metres 2:15.32 Talence 14 SEP 2008
100 Metres Hurdles12.70 +1.3 London (Olympic Stadium) 03 AUG 2012
High Jump 1.90 Des Moines, IA 25 JUN 2010
Long Jump 6.89 +0.6 Luzern 15 JUL 2009
Long Jump 6.89 +1.7 Nottwil 08 AUG 2010
Triple Jump 13.40 +1.0 Oxford, MS 16 MAY 2004
Shot Put 13.81 Eugene, OR 27 JUN 2009
Javelin Throw 48.15 Eugene, OR 28 JUN 2008
Heptathlon 6735 Des Moines, IA 26 JUN 2010

Personal Best – Indoor

60 Metres 7.49 Findlay, OH 21 JAN 2011
800 Metres 2:21.02 Doha (Aspire Dome) 13 MAR 2010
55 Metres Hurdles 7.61 Blankenburg 12 FEB 2005
60 Metres Hurdles 7.98 Boston (Roxbury), MA 01 MAR 2009
High Jump 1.87 Doha (Aspire Dome) 13 MAR 2010
Long Jump 6.70 Albuquerque, NM 28 FEB 2010
Shot Put 14.06 Doha (Aspire Dome) 13 MAR 2010
Pentathlon 4753 Doha (Aspire Dome) 13 MAR 2010

Full interview on Next Page!

All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.

Hyleas Fountain is an exceptionally talented and World leading heptathlete and winner of Olympic silver medal. She is Five-time USA Outdoor champion in Heptathlon and once won USA Indoor pentathlon championship. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar, President Women Fitness.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have credited your mother for introducing you to the sport at age seven.You studied in Central Dauphin East High School in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and later at Barton Community College (Kansas) and took your higher education from University of Georgia. You won the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) championships in both the heptathlon and long jump. You reached the pinnacle of success in 2008 at the Summer Olympics in Beijing where you won the silver medal in heptathlon. What factors do you consider were responsible that made you achieve that?

Ms. Hyleas Fountain: There were a lot of factors that played a role in my success. Starting with my mom taking me to my first track meet to hanging around people that brought the best out in me. My coaches always challenging me to be my best. Without the support of all these people I don’t think I would be where I am today. Its so important to have people around you that have your best interest.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you shall like to share?

Ms. Hyleas Fountain: Core, and general strenght exercises are really important to me in my fitness regime. You need core in daily life weather people believe it or not. I take my general strength very seriously because if you can’t work with your own body weight then its really hard to do anything else.

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

Ms. Hyleas Fountain: To remain healthy I like to think about clean eating. No preservatives. When eating I think fresh and what is going to be the fuel to make my body perform at its best.

Videos

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ASV1Ol8Sbw8

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding girl 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 the field of women heptathlon ?

Ms. Hyleas Fountain: Some words I would give them are to be patient. The Heptathlon is not an even that you learn over night. Your trying to perfect 7 evens and combine them in 2 days. This will take some time and experience. The more you do the better you will get.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: How did you feel before and after your memorable wining the Silver at the Summer Olympics in Beijing 2008?

Ms. Hyleas Fountain: Going into the 2008 games I didn’t know what to expect. I just know I wanted to go out and give my all in hopes that it would put me on the podium. With a lot of prayers and hard work it all came together for the good. Now I can share my story with young girls and hopes to inspire them.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You are one of the leading Heptathlon athlete in the world. You had a fair share of injuries. How you were able to overcome the physical injury/setback and what advice you can give to fellow sports person in a similar situation?

Ms. Hyleas Fountain: I have definitely had my share of injuries. 2007 was the biggest injury and I thought it was going to take me out of qualify for 2008 Games. With a lot of hard work and determination I told my self I could not give up. I knew what Gods plan was for me because he showed me it in a dream when I was 7. I went to therapy 6 days a week. The doctor said it would take me 12 weeks to recover and I told him I would get it done in 5weeks and I did. Injury comes with sport but it does not have to take you out forever.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Your time of 12.65 in the 100 m hurdles at the 2008 Olympic Trials, worth 1,178 points on scoring tables, broke three records: American record, heptathlon 100 m hurdles (12.69, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, 1988, Seoul); Olympic Trials record, heptathlon 100 m hurdles (12.71, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, 1988, Indianapolis); and USA National Championship record, heptathlon 100 m hurdles (12.77, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, 1991, NYC). Elaborate your experience on this exceptional performance?

Ms. Hyleas Fountain: 2008 I really put in a lot of work. I believed in my coach, myself and was confident that with Gods on my side anything was possible.

Videos

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have won Silver at the Summer Olympics in Beijing 2008, Five-time USA Outdoor championship – 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, USA Indoor pentathlon championship 2005 and had various other achievements in different athletic events. What responsibility these winning bestow upon you in your future efforts and activities in the field of heptathlon and athletics?

Ms. Hyleas Fountain: Right now I am coaching at Bethune Cookman University where I am coaching throws and multis. This allows me to pass down the knowledge that I have for this sport onto young people. Most of them may not be professionals after college but at least I can help make their college career worth while.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Who has been your biggest influence and motivation in your path to success?

Ms. Hyleas Fountain: My high school and college coaches have been some really big influences in my life. They have always pushed me to my full patience and believed in me. They were both pastors and they may have never told me but i do believe they they prayed for me. Jackie Joyner Kersee was a big motivation for me. She was the one that did it first and paved the way for generations after her.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: With exceptional hard work you are credited with all your achievements. Do you believe that does the hand of Providence (Supreme Being) played a role in your success?

Ms. Hyleas Fountain: God had his plan for me and it was my job to be obedient to him.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: What you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?

Ms. Hyleas Fountain: The women’s fitness website is very informative. Anything you need to know about fitness, a healthy eating life style, workout for pregnant women, cute workout outfits etc. If you don’t know this is the website to visit.

To know the latest about Hyleas Fountain, Check out her social network at:

Women Fitness Team thanks Hyleas Fountain for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her and made this interview happen.

Videos