Entering a relationship can be an emotionally intense experience, and even top athletes aren’t immune to the complexities that come with it. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, known for her dominance on the track, has also faced personal struggles, particularly with doubts and fears in her relationships. Despite winning four Olympic gold medals, McLaughlin-Levrone has dealt with the fear of heartbreak.
In her book Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith, the New Jersey native reflects on her hesitancy to enter a relationship with Andre Levrone, a former football wide receiver. Although Andre made her feel valued and loved, McLaughlin-Levrone struggled to fully trust those feelings due to her past experiences. She recalls how Andre’s words and actions made her feel cherished, but she couldn’t help but think, “This relationship can’t be real.” She expressed how he saw her beauty both inside and out, making the relationship different from anything she’d experienced before.
However, her past breakups made it difficult for her to relax into the relationship, and she often found herself battling old fears. She was afraid of being hurt again, especially since her previous breakup had been devastating. Despite feeling deeply connected to Andre after just four days of bonding, those fears persisted. She admits in her book that she was terrified of risking her heart again, even though Andre seemed like the perfect partner.
Ultimately, McLaughlin-Levrone decided to trust that this relationship was part of God’s plan for her. She resolved to move forward, choosing to embrace the relationship despite her lingering doubts.
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