SJM_Interview_Gail Devers_0424_layout 4 / 26 / 24 2 : 26 PM Page 1 Q & A What is it about you or your upbringing that made you persevere ? My faith is unstoppable . I’ve always said I’ve got this guardian angel that rests on my shoul - der , and if I live my life right , things are going to work out OK for me . I believe that it’s not just me . I’m not special . I think everybody has within them this championship mentality or spirit ; just sometimes you don’t know it . Sometimes you need other people to help bring it out . Sometimes life gets hard and you feel like the walls are closing in , and there’s no way out . You have to reach even deeper down inside of you , but you have it in you . When you feel like you can’t go on , that’s what teammates do : We help each other and we support each other . So , you are speaking out to help others seek the answers they need . Yes , my goal now is just to make sure that every - body knows to listen to your eyes . Your body knows . We get signs , but we’re like , “ I’m too busy . ” We need to write down the symptoms and not stop until we get answers . I call thyroid eye disease by the name TED because it’s like She’s Like having an unwanted guest . If you have com - pany coming , you know that company is com - ing so you’re prepared for them . So , if you have Graves ’ disease , listen to your eyes , because up to 50 % of people with Graves ’ disease may de - velop thyroid eye disease . I want to use my the Wind voice to spread this message to people . FIVE - TIME U.S . OLYMPIAN GAIL DEVERS OVERCAME You coach your daughter’s high school DAUNTING OBSTACLES TO EARN THE RAREST OF TITLES : track team in Lawrenceville , Georgia . “ FASTEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD . ” by Debra Wallace As a mentor , what is your best advice for teenage girls ? As a woman in her early 20s , Gail Devers was so plagued with I’ve always told them , “ Be the best that you can health problems , she was barely able to leave her home . Yet be and you’re going to take the world by storm . ” her indomitable spirit helped her become one of the most dominant athletes of Being involved in sports teaches you a never - her time . give - up attitude , that every day is not going to In 1990 , Devers experienced extreme weight loss , fatigue and insomnia . She be rosy , but it’s on those days that you find that was diagnosed with Graves ’ disease , an immune disorder that causes the body to strength and you just keep pushing through . overproduce thyroid hormones . Her declining health urged her to cover all the mirrors in her home because “ the person looking back at me was a skeleton of me What was it like to be the fastest woman in at 79 or 80 pounds . ” the world ? She also suffered from intense eye pain and other symptoms of thyroid eye dis - It’s an honor . I was known as a hurdler and not a ease . Despite such daunting obstacles , she went on to win back - to - back 100 - meter sprinter . I hopped into sprints working on my Olympic gold medals and three World Championships in 100 - meter hurdles . speed for the hurdles . … Wyomia Tyus and I were “ I remember crawling on my hands and knees in my house wondering if I’ll the only two at that time to win back - to - back ever walk again , ” she says . “ And then in 1992 to go on to win a gold medal [ was in - gold medals in the 100 meters and retain the credible ] . I took my victory lap and the cameraman was following me . He said , title of world’s fastest woman . ‘ Slow down . You’re supposed to savor the moment . ’ I replied , ‘ You’d better come Being successful means that you’re willing on because you don’t know what I’ve gone through ! ’ ” to do everything in your power . … You’re a win - wan Devers has since been inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame ner by stepping to the line , you’re a winner by cGo and the U.S . Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame . She was one of several speakers putting one foot forward in the morning , and M ica at the 20th annual Pennsylvania Conference for Women , held in Philadelphia last you’re a winner by making the best grade that Jess November . Devers may not be from Philly , but she has spent a lot of time here : She you can . All I ask my kids is to be the best version by ? o used to run in the Penn Relays . of themselves . Phot SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 21 issue 1 SouthJerseyMagazine.com 54 |