Maggie Malone-Hardin is one of the best when it comes to throwing the javelin.
She’s the American record holder in the event, and she’s made two Olympic teams in her career thus far. And she’s not done yet. While throwing the javelin is what she does, it doesn’t define who she is.
To her, the javelin is just a tool that’s being used to fulfill a greater purpose that continues to manifest itself.
“I truly believe that God has just woven my story and He has just used the javelin to do His work and take me where He wants me to be,” she said.
Malone-Hardin started her journey in the sport in her home state of Nebraska. She moved on to Texas A&M from the University of Nebraska after her then coach at Nebraska, Kris Grimes took a job at A&M. In the meantime, her family left Nebraska to head to Texas after her father took a job there as well. She took a leap of faith, and it paid off.
She not only had the opportunity to be coached by the legendary Juan “Chico” De La Garza, but she got the opportunity to compete with her sister, who was also on the team, and she also met her husband during her time at Texas A&M. She believes the decision to leave Nebraska and head to Texas is why she’s accomplished what she’s accomplished so far in her career.
“I truly believe that I wouldn’t have the success that I have now if it weren’t for Chico, if it weren’t for coach Henry and that whole system,” she said. “I had my family there – my whole support system. Everything was in place to make me successful, and I really, truly believe that I wouldn’t be a two-time Olympian if it weren’t for making that move.”
Malone-Hardin’s aforementioned success is worth celebrating, especially as she strives to reach her full potential. But she admits that it can be difficult for her to look back and think of all that she’s achieved.
“I think for a lot of us athletes, we have a hard time sitting and processing our stories because we live in a world that tells us that you need to be this, or you need to accomplish this, or whatever it is,” she said. “For a lot of us that are so hungry and driven to succeed, it’s hard to look back and say wow, look at where I started or where I’m at now, when I’m always focused on I need to be here, I need to be this, or I want to accomplish this. So it’s hard for me to sit in my story honestly and think about what has happened.”
One chain of thought that Malone-Hardin uses that helps her reflect on her journey centers around the idea of “if you could tell your younger self anything, what would it be.” She fights the comparison culture that tends to plague society, especially against her competitors who she respects, but she believes that everyone should be grateful for their journey, and that she has gratitude for hers.
“I think when you put it into that perspective, it’s like wow,” she said. “I have accomplished something that I never thought that I would – I never dreamed of accomplishing and I’m so thankful to be in the position that I’m in now, and that’s a space that I’m constantly fighting to stay in. I’m constantly trying to stay in the present and be thankful for what has happened, but also looking to the future, because I truly believe that there’s more that God’s going to use me for.”
While Malone-Hardin has achieved great success, she’s also encountered valley experiences that brought disappointment and frustration at times while competing in the sport. She’s used those experiences to hone in on what really matters to her, which is her faith in God, and not the approval of others. That has given her joy in every season.
“As I have gotten deeper into my faith and I have spent more time with Jesus, I just am not afraid of failure as much,” she said. “And I’m not allowing the world to determine where I find my joy. And I think for a really long time, I was allowing the world to dictate where I was happy and where I wasn’t – whether that was Instagram followers or comments, or what I thought other people thought of me, or getting approval from people. As I studied the bible and prayed more and really spent more time with God, I don’t have that chain anymore.
I don’t have that chain that’s going to tell me Maggie you should crumble right now, or you’re not good enough or whatever it is. It’s just not there, and I’m so thankful for that. I’ve never felt so free, honestly.”
Malone-Hardin is headed back to Nebraska to be coached by Justin St. Clair at the University of Nebraska. In a way, it’s a full-circle journey to get back to the place that she started. While her journey is far from over, regardless of what comes her way in the sport, she has a newfound perspective that gives her peace.
“If I never accomplish what I want to, which is to earn a medal in the Olympics and to throw 70 meters – if neither of those things ever happen, I know that I will be 100% okay and I know that God has something better in mind for me,” she said. “And I’m okay with that.”
