From Olympic Medals to Financial Planning: The Inspiring Career of Lauryn Williams
Introduction
Lauryn Williams, born on September 11, 1983, is an extraordinary American athlete who has achieved remarkable success in both sprinting and bobsledding. Her journey extends beyond the realm of sports, showcasing her resilience and adaptability as she transitioned into the world of finance. Williams' story is one of perseverance, strategic decision-making, and a commitment to empowering others through financial literacy.
Early Athletic Achievements
Lauryn Williams' athletic prowess was evident from a young age. She holds her high school records for the 100, 200 m, long jump and 4 × 100 meters relay. She honed her skills running for The Wings of Moon Track Club founded by Coach Rubin Carter based in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, a suburb near Pittsburgh. Her early achievements include a World Junior Championship in 2002 and a gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Games in the 100-meter event. The following year, she claimed the NCAA title over the same distance while representing the University of Miami.
Sprinting Career Highlights
Williams' sprinting career reached its zenith with numerous international accolades. She was the gold medalist in the 100 meter dash at the 2005 World Championships in Athletics. She also secured silver medals at the 2004 Summer Olympics and the 2007 World Championships. At the 2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships, she added another silver medal to her collection.
In team events, Williams contributed significantly to the United States' success. She was part of the 4 × 100 meter relay team at the 2003 World Championships in Athletics, where she anchored the American team with Angela Williams, Chryste Gaines, and Inger Miller in their heat. At the 2004 Summer Olympics, Williams ran the third leg for the women's 4 × 100 relay team in the final.
During the Beijing Olympics of 2008, Williams ran the anchor leg in the relay. However, a mix-up in the semi-final with teammate Torri Edwards caused Edwards to drop the baton. Williams picked up the baton to finish in last place, but the USA was disqualified because she had had to run outside her lane in order to retrieve the baton. At the individual 100 metres sprint she placed 2nd in her first round heat behind Christine Arron in a time of 11.38 to advance to the second round. There she improved her time to 11.07 seconds and placed 2nd again, this time behind Kerron Stewart. With the third time in her semi final heat behind Shelly-Ann Fraser and Muna Lee she qualified for the final in 11.10 seconds.
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Williams continued to excel, taking third place in the 100 m at the 2009 US Championships. As a result, she qualified for the 2009 World Championships in Athletics, marking her third consecutive appearance at the prestigious event. A week before the World Championships began, she was part of a United States 4 × 100 m relay team that achieved a remarkable feat, running the fastest women's sprint relay in twelve years.
She spent the entirety of 2010 away from competitive athletics and, among other things, she worked in the athletic department at the University of Miami. In the 2012 Olympics in London, Lauryn Williams ran the anchor leg of 4 × 100 meter relay for USA in the qualification round.
Transition to Bobsledding
Demonstrating her versatility and determination, Williams transitioned to bobsledding. On January 19, 2014, she achieved her first bobsled gold medal in a World Cup event at Igls, Austria. Partnering with Elana Meyers, Williams secured a silver medal at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games on February 19, 2014. Their first run was a time of 57.26, a track record. This accomplishment made Williams one of six Olympians, and one of three Americans, to win medals at both the Winter and Summer Olympic Games.
Navigating Financial Realities
Despite her Olympic achievements, Williams faced the financial realities of being an athlete in a sport that doesn't always guarantee lucrative sponsorships. She spoke to CNBC Make It about the financial reality of being an Olympic athlete in a sport that is not mainstream. “The news coverage came, but the sponsors didn’t." At her peak, the Olympian earned as much as $200,000 a year in sponsorship deals.
A New Chapter: From Athlete to Financial Advisor
Lauryn Williams began searching for opportunities to carry her into the next chapter of life. Recognizing the need for financial literacy and guidance, she embarked on a new career path in the financial sector. Williams began searching for opportunities to carry her into the next chapter of life. She eventually found an entry-level internship in finance. This transition required her to start from scratch, taking on an entry-level internship in finance. “I was behind the ball because I was 30 years old and just starting, whereas I had friends who were already doctors and lawyers and well into their careers,” she added. Williams pursued CFP coursework after having a second financial advisor that didn’t work out.
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Worth Winning: A Financial Planning Firm
Though Williams considered herself behind in her career prospects, she succeeded in her pivot to the financial sector. Williams is now the owner of Worth Winning, a financial planning firm dedicated to helping others set up their financial futures. After retiring from sport, she started Worth Winning, a virtual fee-only financial planning firm to help millennials and professional athletes get the answers to the financial questions that matter most to them. She also hosts a biweekly financial literacy podcast called Worth Listening and is a regular contributor to news and media outlets frequently as part of the CNBC Advisor Council. Her continuous involvement in the financial industry has resulted in her being consistently named as one of Investopedia's top 100 advisors.
Lauryn Williams is a University of Miami alum, thought leader, speaker, and an incredible businesswoman that is continuing to build the bridge between sports and finance.
Giving Back
Despite her demanding career, Williams remains committed to giving back to the community. Despite wearing many hats, Lauryn makes it a priority to donate some of her time to various causes, volunteering with USA Track and Field junior athletes and serving on the World Anti-Doping Agency finance committee.
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