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Canadian Olympic pole vaulter Alysha Newman turned heads at the Paris Games last summer, going viral for a celebratory dance after winning the bronze medal.
Newman cleared 4.85 meters to win the first Olympic medal of his career.
The athlete turned model and influencer is now offering advice to those aspiring to follow in her footsteps.
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Bronze medalist Alysha Newman of Team Canada reacts after the women’s pole vault final at the Paris Olympic Games, August 7, 2024. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Newman began by reflecting on the early experiences in her life that helped shape her into the person she is today.
“In elementary school, I once got the answer right on a test, but I didn’t use the method my teacher wanted. She didn’t give me the gold star, but she gave it to other kids who got the same answer,” Newman told Maxim.
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“So while everyone else was leaving for recess, I went into his office, took a gold star out of his drawer, and put that gold star on my paper by myself. It’s sad how much we hope and wait for someone else to give us the gold star we want – friends, co-workers, a partner, or even strangers.”
Alysha Newman celebrates her bronze medal and poses with the Canadian flag at the Paris Olympic Games on August 7, 2024. (Aytac Unal/Anadolu via Getty Images)
She added that ambitious people should avoid seeking validation from others and instead rely on their own self-confidence.
“That’s my advice: don’t wait for the world to give you permission. Don’t wait for someone else to validate you. Find confidence in yourself and give yourself that gold star!”
Bronze medalist Alysha Newman of Canada celebrates on the podium during the victory ceremony in the women’s pole vault final at the Paris Olympic Games, August 8, 2024. (Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP via Getty Images)
Newman has partnerships with several major brands, including sportswear and footwear giant Nike. Her combined followers on TikTok, Instagram, and OnlyFans total nearly one million.
After reflecting on a time when she “was told I had to choose: be an athlete or be a model,” Newman opened up about seeing her paths align.
“Now I’ve gotten into documentaries, partnerships with amazing brands like Rado and Nike, and even filmed Celebrity Family Feud to raise money for my charity. And now I’m experiencing a full circle moment,” she said.
Newman set Atlantic Coast Conference, University of Miami and Canadian national records when she cleared 4.60 meters in her final home competition as a Hurricane. At the time, this feat also placed Newman 4th in the world rankings.
