My Career as an Olympian - Inika McPherson

DIVERSIFIED GAME

My Career as an Olympian - Inika McPherson

On today's episode of Diversified Game I am joined by Inika McPherson. She is a former olympic high jumper and she gives us the game on her athletics career. Buy Courses at https://bit.ly/PrepareforyourfirsttriptoAfricaudemy Support Us On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/gamediversified Inika's Introduction @ 1:15 Inika introduces herself as a child of God, an Olympic high jumper, an actress, and someone who tries to give back to the world. She shares how she discovered and fell in love with the high jump event as a child. Inika's Athletic Journey @ 3:07 Inika describes her path to becoming an elite high jumper, from first being introduced to the sport in 5th grade, to joining a local track club, to competing at the collegiate level at UC Berkeley, known for its excellent academics. Navigating Identity and Belonging @ 6:50 Inika discusses how she felt like an outsider growing up in her small hometown of Port Arthur, Texas, but found more freedom to be herself at Berkeley. She shares advice for young people struggling to be authentic in the face of societal pressures. Perspectives on Transgender Athletes @ 19:00 Inika shares her views on the debate around transgender athletes competing in women's sports, arguing that it is genetically unfair due to the inherent physical advantages men have over women, and that separate competitive categories should be created. Giving Back and Future Plans @ 32:46 Inika shares how she currently gives back by mentoring young athletes and aspiring to open her own training academy in the future. She is also interested in pursuing acting roles that draw from her personal experiences and background. Inika's Competitive Goals @ 40:48 Inika discusses her recovery from a recent injury and her goals to return to peak performance, with a focus on competing at the 2025 Tokyo World Championships. She is working closely with her coach and support team to regain her elite form. Closing Thoughts and Advice @ 51:34 Inika provides final words of wisdom, emphasizing the importance of putting God first, nurturing one's gifts, building a strong support team, and staying authentic. She encourages others to follow their passions and not be deterred by obstacles.