Disappointed With Psychologist, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Took Matters Into Her Own Hands in 2021: ‘No Advice for Outlook’

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone might be the GOAT on the track, but she's been through some serious lows too. Right before her golden moments in Tokyo in 2021, things got really rough, and she's been super open about how she hit rock bottom, calling it one of the darkest, loneliest times in her life. Yeah, she's got those Olympic golds, but that journey came with some major emotional battles.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone opens up in Far Beyond Gold about hitting a low point during the pandemic. At first, she didn't worry about COVID, thinking it wasn't a threat to someone as fit as her, but the lockdowns brought everything to a halt. When she turned to a therapist, Sydney was frustrated after just 45 minutes and only left with a prescription, saying, "No advice for outlook or perspective moving forward." She realized her struggles weren't just physical—they were spiritual. Social media helped a bit until a bad experience ended Saturday Night Vibes too.

Through it all, Sydney felt lost, both physically and spiritually. She tried finding comfort in church but felt like nothing truly resonated. "My problem wasn't physical; it was spiritual. I was sure of it," she admits, feeling like she needed a total life reset. Instead of masking the pain with meds, she longed for deeper guidance from God and more lasting solutions for her struggles.

In a raw and honest reflection, she talks about turning to faith during those tough times, searching for purpose and peace. Every distraction, from Zoom training to Instagram Live, seemed like a temporary band-aid. The lack of meaningful connection to both her church and her goals left her feeling more isolated than ever. But as Sydney started realizing that faith was the real solution, she began to seek God's answers for her struggles.