Olympian Vashti Cunningham on Faith, Family and Race Day Must-Haves

Olympic high jumper Vashti Cunningham only brings the essentials for race day -- her faith and her family.

The 26 year-old track and field star comes from a long line of athletes as her father and coach is retired NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham. Her mother, Felicity de Jager Cunningham, was a former ballerina who graced the halls of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. The Red Bull athlete finished 13th during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games where at the age of 18, she became the youngest U.S. track and field athlete to make the team. Backed by a rich legacy of athletic excellence, Cunningham looks to her family to uplift her. "Track is a solo sport and can be very unforgiving. When I start to get down on myself, that's the time when I really need my support system. Everyone around me is very faith driven and they keep me grounded -- it's so good to have my family."

Below, we sit down with Cunningham to hear all about her race day must-haves and 2024 Paris Olympic essentials.

What are your must-haves for the day of the race? Do you have a special routine?

Before a competition, I always have a Bible study with my dad in the morning. I used to be really into music, but I feel like I've just taken a step away from it as a whole. I haven't really been liking what everyone's been putting out lately, but hearing something uplifting like a sermon with my family helps.  For my morning routine, I'll wake up, have a yogurt parfait and usually listen to worship music to start my day out. From there, I'll go down to the hotel gym, ride the stationary bike and stretch. I need to get my body moving before anything else starts in the day. I like taking my time getting ready in the morning to keep myself calm, focused and not too on edge.

How important is it to have a strong support system when you are a high profile athlete?

It’s definitely a game changer. Track is a solo sport and can be very unforgiving. There can be a lot of people criticizing you and telling you what you should or shouldn't do when in reality, they don't know what's going on behind the scenes. There are times when I internalize that and get down on myself, but that's when I really need my support system around me. Everyone who is close to me is also very faith driven and that keeps me grounded. It's definitely one of the keys to my success.

 

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As an athlete, you have to stay ready year round. So, what are some everyday essentials that help you stay in your best shape?

I feel like I'm an ambassador for infrared saunas. I love it so much and I do it multiple times in a week just because I feel like it keeps me mentally in a place of perseverance. When it's so hot out, the last thing I want to do is sit in a hot sauna, but sometimes I just tell myself to thug it out and go do it. I'm ultimately fighting against my own mental space and I feel like that's helping me for when I go out into the competition because I feel like track and field is a sport where it's easy to get in your head about your own performance and your own progression. I use the sauna not just for the physical health benefits, but to build mental toughness as well. I don't have that many comfort items, but I usually have a Hello Kitty clipped on the outside of my bag. I catch myself holding it or just staring at it when I need a mental break.

With the Olympics right around the corner, what are you most looking forward to?

I am very much looking forward to being in Paris with my family. A lot of people go on family vacations, but for me, I'm always traveling for track and field. Oftentimes, my siblings' schedules don't match up with mine. Knowing that my whole family is going to be out there just makes me feel more confident. I’m excited to spend time with them afterwards in a beautiful city and make those core memories.

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