After a storied career, the 400 meter legend Natasha Hastings is moving on from the sport.
Hastings announced through The Players Tribune that she was retiring from the sport of track and field to pursue a career as a sports psychologist.
“I want to be a Black woman working as a psychologist in a field that has historically been dominated by men and has far too few therapists who are women of color,” Hastings said in her announcement with The Players Tribune. “I want to be someone who can help demystify therapy for those in our community who all too often learn, or are taught, to keep their feelings and struggles inside. I want to make it so people like myself and other women of color will be able to work through things with someone who looks more like we do, or who has faced similar challenges, someone who has shared more life experiences with us.”
In her illustrious career, Hastings has won 13 gold medals while representing Team USA at the Olympic Games and the World Championships as a key member of the 4×400 relay teams. She won the 2013 USATF Outdoor Championship in the 400m.
Hastings ran for legendary coach Curtis Frye as a member of the South Carolina Gamecocks track and field team. During her time at South Carolina, she won an NCAA Championship in the 400m.
Hastings also has a YouTube channel where she gives her analysis on races, conducts interviews with athletes in the sport, while also giving fans a behind the scenes look at her training and meet days.
