Shannon Rowbury: World Champion Bronze medalist and four-time United States champion in 1500m, 3000m and 1mile Reveals her Success Mantra " Keep focusing on achieving small goals and you shall climb the mountain"  

Shannon Rowbury, is an Olympic athlete, World Championships Bronze medalist and four-time United States champion in the sport of track and field. In 2015 she set up the American Record at 1500m and Distance Medley Relay World Record Holder. She also won the USATF Indoor National Championship in: 1 mile & 2 miles. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar President Women Fitness.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You were born at 'City by the Bay' San Francisco. You began your running career in 1998 and during your freshman year of high school at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, you did had many athletic achievements with winning section championships in events ranging from the 1600 m relay to cross-country, as well as State Championship titles in both the 800 m and 1600 m and a National Championship at 800 m. You reached the pinnacle of success at the 2015 IAAF World Relays and won a Gold Medal in Distance medley relay with a World Record. What factors do you consider were responsible that made you achieve that?

Ms. Shannon Rowbury: The key to any success I have had is due to great mentors. I actually started dancing at the age of 5 and my entire life I gravitated towards sports where I could compete, but I remember my mom having a conversation with me when I was about 10 where she said she and my dad would always support me in whatever I did, but in exchange I needed to be willing to put in the work.

Dancing costumes were expensive and the travel to competitions added up. My parents were willing to let me pursue my passion for dance, and later for running, they only asked that I be willing to work hard too. Once I started running, my high school coach took a long term view with my development. He could have pushed me too hard in high school and risked burning me out. Instead, he saw that I had the potential to run in college and maybe beyond, so he focused on teaching me important foundation lessons about running and commitment and how to have fun while working hard. All these things I've mentioned above created the foundation that I continue to draw from.

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

Ms. Shannon Rowbury: Every runner has an "achilles heel" of some sort, the area that always hurts first. It's important to identify that weak spot and incorporate daily strengthening exercises and stretches to stay healthy and prevent injury.

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

Ms. Shannon Rowbury: My keyword is balance. I have been a professional runner since 2007 and the reason I have lasted so long in this sport is because I try to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Fortunately I grew up in a place like San Francisco, where fresh, healthy food was in high abundance, so I developed good eating habits at an early age. My typical diet emphasizes fresh produce, complex carbs, lean proteins, and healthy fats. That being said, I have no problem treating myself to a glass of wine or a dessert once in awhile. By creating healthy lifestyle habits, I don't ever have to resort to harsh or drastic diets, so my body stays healthy and my mind stays fresh.

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 athletics ?

Ms. Shannon Rowbury: I always tried to focus on being that best in whatever stage I was at. It's good to have big goals, but then you have to break it down and figure out how to get there. You can't win the Olympics if you aren't the best in your Conference or your State. So start with seeing how good you can be at whatever level you're at. If you keep focusing on achieving those small goals, before you know it, you'll have climbed a mountain.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: How did you feel before and after your memorable win of Bronze medal in the 1500-meter run at the 2009 World Championships at Berlin?

Ms. Shannon Rowbury: Leading up to the Berlin World Champs, I was so focused on the process, I never gave any thought to what it would be like to come home with a medal. I was nervous, of course, but I tried to focus on the process and what I could control. Afterwards, it took awhile for me to truly appreciate what an accomplishment it was to be a World Medalist. The level of competition in the Women's 1500m gets harder every year and I am proud to be one of the top women in the sport.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You story of life is an inspiration to million of young girl athletes worldwide, who due to paucity of resources, tough situations and hostile environment, even when bundled with exceptional talent have been unable to achieve anything in their athletic career. You like a warrior fought all situations and came out victorious to become a World Relay Distance medley relay Champion. Kindly provide an insight into your struggles and how you were so mentally tough to win out to become a world-champion?

Ms. Shannon Rowbury: Through adversity I've learned what I'm made of. When faced with a difficult situation I always think to myself, what can I change? I focus my energy on the things that I can control, everything else I try to accept and let go. Only by doing this can I move forward and make progress. In 2007, I had a stress fracture in my hip one year before the Olympic Trails.

I easily could have given up but instead I focused on the process of healing and building strength/fitness again. Each bit of progress was a small victory and before I knew it, I was in better shape than I had ever been before and I won the Olympic Trials with a World leading time.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You won gold at the 2015 IAAF World Relays - Women's Distance medley relay. Your winning Team comprising of Treniere Moser, Sanya Richards-Ross, Ajee' Wilson and yourself. With winning time of 10:36.50 you set up the new World Record that took 12 seconds out of the old record. Elaborate your experience on this exceptional performance?

Ms. Shannon Rowbury: To have such talented women as teammates was an honor, so there was no way I was going to waste this opportunity. My wedding was only 3 weeks before the World Relays, but I kept my training a focus because I knew I had to be ready to go. If we wanted the World Record, then Team USA needed to be first across the line. Since my leg (1600m) was last, I had to make sure to run hard from start to finish. Within the race, I focused on the process and only let myself celebrate once I had crossed the finish line.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have won US Championships Gold in 2008 indoor 3000 meters, Gold in 2008 at 1500 meters, Gold in 2009 at 1500 meters, Gold in 2015 indoor at 1 mile and 2 mile, Gold in 2015 World Relay Championships at Distance medley relay and also set up a world record. What responsibility these wins bestow upon you in your future efforts and activities in the field of athletics?

Ms. Shannon Rowbury: In 2015, I won Gold indoor in both the 1 mile and the 2 mile. I compete in this sport because it's an opportunity to test myself and to represent my country. Each year is a new year, I try to focus on the process to be the best athlete I can possibly be.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: On July 17, 2015, you broke the American record in the 1500 m at the Diamond League competition in Monaco, with a time of 3:56.29. How did you feel on this spectacular achievement?

Ms. Shannon Rowbury: Setting the American Record in the 1500m was such a special moment. The 1500m is contested very often and yet the record stood for nearly 32 years, which shows just how strong the time was. I had dreamed for years of breaking the record, but to have it actually happen feels like a dream itself.

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

Ms. Shannon Rowbury: My family has been the biggest influence on my path. I have had incredible coaches to guide me along the way, to whom I'm very grateful, but it's my parents and my husband who have supported me and encouraged me through the toughest and darkest moments. Their unconditional love gives me the security and confidence to take big risks.

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. Shannon Rowbury: I believe that each person was put on this earth for a purpose and that we should strive to be the best version of ourselves.

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

Ms. Shannon Rowbury: I love anything where women support one another. The typical portrayal of sports is from a man's point of view. I started a non-profit called "Imagining More" with the goal of showing sports from a woman's perspective. I think the best way to promote women is to focus on sharing our knowledge and celebrating our achievements.

To know more about Shannon Rowbury check her out at: http://www.shannonrowbury.com/

To know the latest about Shannon Rowbury, check out her social network:

• https://twitter.com/shannonrowbury
• https://www.facebook.com/ShannonRowburyUSOlympian/
• https://www.instagram.com/shannonrowbury/

Women Fitness Team thanks Shannon Rowbury 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.

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