Santia Deck on Sexism, Hard Work and the 2020 Olympics
The upcoming Olympic Gold medalist Santia Deck tapped in with me about her athletic career. The conversation drifted into girl talk and I soon learned where all her Black Girl Magic came from. It’s apparent that her having a strong and spirited mother contributed to her success. Every time life threw an obstacle her way, she tackled through it. Due to her faith in Christ and being raised by a strong black woman, nothing was ever been able to hold her down. The Texas native was known in the streets as nothing less than a track superstar. She went off to college on a track scholarship prepared to show the world what she was made of. Little did she know it would be an introduction to the twisted power dynamic in being a professional athlete.
While away at college, she politely stated that her coach did not like her. The coach’s tactics included snooty comments, lack of attention to her strengths and weaknesses, downplaying her potential, and attempts to minimize her motivation. This was a wake-up call for Deck. Everyone is not going to support you. If you really have a passion for something, people’s thoughts and concerns shouldn’t sway you into fear. There has to be enough personal awareness to ones potential and drive to withstand any amount of hate.
The consistent frustration that she admits unfortunately comes along with her profession is sexism. Deck explains how some male peers assume she is interested in them. They assume she’s going to date or sleep with them and have the nerve to act on it. She said she understands she is attractive but work is work. The Texas side can definitely come out of her and she has zero problems putting someone in their place (don’t let the necessary occur). She’s committed to protecting her dream at all cost.
Deck eventually gave up track and field. She was spotted by a Rugby coach and was invited to California to try out. As the universe would have it, the coach was fired the day she flew out. A distraught Deck was tempted to just say, “fuck it” and give up on the idea of becoming a professional athlete. As once mentioned, her upbringing, her queenly mother, and her innate ability to push herself to new heights all allowed her to persevere. She was given another opportunity.
Years later, Santia Deck is now around the corner from the 2020 Olympics. Opposition fueled her confidence and elevated her hustle. After only a year or so of dedicated-training she will be representing the USA at the 2020 Olympics. To say I felt the excitement through the phone is an understatement. She quickly dismisses any inclination of dating, stating she has too much to focus on. In the midst of preparing for the biggest opportunity of her life, she is still working. Deck holds health/fitness workshops and is also promoting her book, “The Struggle”. Nothing is getting in this lady’s way. She is an inspiration and a testament that focus and determination is the structure for success.