Thought Leadership v3

Top 3 mistakes young pro track and field athletes make (and how to avoid them).

🗓 Thursday July 3rd, 2025

Going pro as a track and field athlete is more than just a transition. It’s a leap of faith that requires a burning passion for the sport and the right mindset to be successful. There’s no manual, very minimal operational support, and often athletes are left to make big decisions on their own.

In this week’s thought leadership piece, we’re going to discuss three of the most common mistakes young professional track and field athletes make and how to navigate these challenges. 

🏃🏿‍♂️Waiting for a sponsor to go pro

A very common misconception about our sport is that track and field pros think that they need a shoe deal to “turn pro.” In today’s day and age, having a sponsor as a professional track and field athlete is a privilege. It’s a huge advantage to have the support of a brand on your journey, but it’s not an official stamp that marks your professionalism or dedication to the sport. 

What many young professional athletes don’t realize is that their commitment to the journey of going pro is all they need (in track and field). Taking initiative of all things that contribute to your performance - training, nutrition, recovery, etc. All of these elements make up the mindset and actions of a professional track and field athlete, and you don’t need a sponsor to do that. However, the better your performance, the greater your chances of earning that sponsorship deal, so athletes must keep that in mind.

📲Neglecting their brand & online presence

It’s no secret that running fast, jumping high, or throwing far is only a singular piece of the puzzle for pros. Having a proactive, engaging social media presence is a huge asset and arguably an essential part of being a professional track and field athlete.

Most successful professional track athletes in 2025 have a social media presence. Those who can successfully double as professional athletes and content creators are often provided with more chances to capitalize on their name and image as a pro. Connecting with a larger community online can develop into a greater support system and opportunities to work with brands that will help support your journey.

🤝Not building a support team

Lastly, so many athletes in our sport try to navigate their pro journeys alone. Often underestimating how much support their college programs provided, many athletes find themselves scavenging for resources during their transition.

To be successful in any sport requires a village, but especially in track and field. Building your support system intentionally is a key to success, because your performance can truly be a reflection of who you’re working with behind the scenes. Choosing wisely who your coach is, athletic training staff, nutritionists, sports psychiatrists, and training partners are all crucial and are often overlooked by young pros.