Track Changed My Life

Posted by SPIKES on December 16, 2014

World number three 400m hurdler Georganne Moline has blossomed from awkward teenager into world class athlete. The US athlete says track changed her life, and it's hard to disagree.

As a shy, slightly gawky teenager growing up in Phoenix, Arizona, high school proved a challenging experience for Georganne Moline. But on the track she found her sanctuary.

“Track changed my life,” the 24-year-old admits with typical candour.

“Before I started track, I felt like no-one could relate to me. When I got to the track, it felt good. It felt like I finally fitted in.”

Montana-born Moline didn’t have it easy growing up. Her parents – both US Marines – divorced when she was young. Aged three she and her mum, Carrie, headed south to start a new life in Phoenix. The pair were homeless for their first six months and lived out of a car. 

“I remember we would head down to the McDonalds play pen or the park to play because it was free,” Moline recalls. “My mum and I would occasionally stay in hotels so we could shower. My mum was remarkable. She never showed weakness and always told me it would be fine.”

Mum also played a huge role in her track career. At her first ever high school track session Moline was keen to try out for the 100m and long jump, but was steered towards the hurdles by the coach. After a “terrible” debut experience over the hurdles she told her mum she was quitting track. Mum would not entertain such thoughts.