Against All Odds, with Priscilla Frederick - Olympian Athlete, Ep #96

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Today we have none other than Olympian athlete, entrepreneur, and podcaster, Priscilla Frederick. Priscilla is known for her incredible self-discipline, work ethic, and physique. Along the way, she has faced a lot of criticism, particularly when seeking roles outside the athletic space. She’s overcome struggles with self-perception, cultural obstacles, and anything else that has come her way. I know you’ll find her story as inspirational as I did.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

Representing Antigua and Barbuda [02:23]
Overcoming negative self-perspective [08:11]
The importance of a support system [13:35]
Cultural surviving to personal thriving [19:11]
The importance of self-education [23:25]
Tending to your five pillars [31:54]

Journey to the Olympics

Priscilla grew up in America raised by her mother, who was from the Dominican Republic. After the US trials in 2012, Priscilla felt like she wasn’t getting the support that she would have liked. So, she went home to figure out what she wanted to do. Having to start from scratch financially, Priscilla moved back in with her mom. While there, she realized something: she had an opportunity to do something bigger than herself.

Priscilla wanted to represent people who aren’t “on the map” and learn about her blood heritage since her father is from Antigua and Barbuda. Not having a close relationship with her father, she craved knowledge of that part of her, the culture, history, and language. That’s why she gravitated towards Antiga. Priscilla loved participating in the 2016 Olympic games. Unfortunately, she was unable to compete in the 2020 games due to the aftereffect of having COVID.

Accepting herself for who she is

Priscilla remembers always asking her coach about every bit of food if it was ok to eat. She’d see how much others were eating and would end up starving herself. To help fill herself and make herself feel thin, she’d drink several cups of coffee in the morning before meets. Her coaches, like many, didn’t have nutritional knowledge. They just said to eat healthfully and do your best. One day, Priscilla looked at the list of her competitors and compared herself to all their sizes and weights. The turning point was at the Olympics when the gold medalist was the same size and same weight as Priscilla. In that moment, she realized that all the stress and worrying didn’t matter. At the end of the day, she’s talented, strong enough, and just needs to work with what she has. She can be great precisely as she is.

Victory over personal challenges

Many people have asked why Priscilla chose to represent a nation other than the one she was born in. The main reason was that Priscilla wanted to learn more about where she came from and bridge the gap with her father. There were no financial incentives. In fact, she went her entire career unsponsored, working two to three jobs while continuing her training. Priscilla paid for her doctors, eye appointments, gym memberships, treatments, recovery boots, and everything. Representing another country didn’t make qualifying any easier. Olympic standards are the same no matter where you’re from.

By all means, Priscilla has faced adversity and many challenges. As an Olympian, a model, and being in an interracial marriage, she’s stepped forward and committed to breaking those systems of dysfunction that haven’t worked for generations. Instead of being overcome, she’s established and created her own systems, making them available to others so that they can move the needle forward.

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Priscilla Frederick

Connect With Peter O. Estévez

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