Kendra Coleman

What is your favorite quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training/racing/life?

Yes it is "Stay Focused". It is actually tattooed on my left wrist. I look at at times of tribulation and hardship and remember to focus on the important things. I don't only use this quote to motivate me in track but in all aspects of my life. My mom use to say it to me all the time while I was growing up and figuring it out. It is definitely a reflection of our loving relationship. So "stay focused" comes with me everywhere I go to remember the faith my mom has in me but also to remember her simple instruction: "Stay Focused" To me it really means: There will always be distractions but if you focus on what you truly want in this life you can get it.

What was your favorite sport in middle school?
In middle school, it was a tie between dance and soccer. Those two sports describe my personality exactly. Dance was so fun and challenging for me but I loved using graceful movements to tell a story. I started off doing jazz and ballet when I was 6 years old so by the time I was in middle school I made the dance team called the "Top Hats". We had performances all year around and I made some life-long friends while dancing. We would spend hours at practice to prepare for a dance competition or a show. I'll always remember what dancing taught me. As far as soccer goes it was intense and fast paced. It was rough at times when girls tried to trip me or push me so I liked that it brought out the more aggressive side of me. I actually miss them both but I am so glad I chose track and field!  

Can you share your first sports bra experience?
It was awful. I actually have a mild case of asthma and anything on my chest can put to much pressure on my lugs. Little did I know as a young girl that extra small sports bra wouldn't probably be the best idea. I think the fist workout I did in an extra small sports bra I almost passed out. The rule I learned that day was it doesn't need to be too tight even if it is super cute! It's better to breathe comfortably than wear a sports bra that's too tight!  

Tell us about your favorite place you have ever traveled to:
My favorite place is Italy. I've been to several different cities in Italy but I can't pick just one as my favorite. Every time I race there I love to eat the food like their pasta, the views are always amazing and breathtaking and the people are great! Italy is somewhere I hope to live one day, It is truly my kind of paradise!  

If you could give one piece of advice to a 12 year old girl, what would it be?
My advice would be to dream big. Never let anyone tell you that you are not good enough or worthy, because you are! Today there are so many negative things they want women and girls to believe about themselves. Thy want us to look a certain way, buy products like make-up or hair, and even change our personality. My advice is to never change but rather be your true self and love yourself so much that it makes others notice. You are capable of doing anything you want to in this world. Remember to never settle and keep pushing. I promise you it will get hard but I also promise you it will all be worth it. Every time you commit to something, see it through to the best of your ability. Show up everyday, never give up and you'll make that big dream of yours come true! 

What alternative career do you fantasize about?
I would love to be an Athletic Director. I am actually in the middle of my master's program to get there. Although track and field is my main focus right now, I sometimes fantasize about my future career. I am excited to get to work with athletes who remind me of myself and friends back in my college days. I want to be able to help them along the way in their journey of figuring it all out. I love to work with kids and with athletes so I feel like this is my dream job. The administration part may be boring for some, but I have such a passion for protecting the athlete and their future. My main priority in my future job as an Athletic Director will be to make sure my department runs efficiently and that students know they are more than just a number. They matter and their futures matter!  

What is your superpower?  
My superpower is being super organized. It is very rare that I lose anything. I keep track of literally everything I have ever owned or had. I have folders, boxes, apps and files to keep it all in order. Everything from bagging groceries in a certain order to color coordinating my closet! I am not sure where I got this from but I like being organized. It keeps me in a good mood!

What is your absolutely favorite piece of #flystyle and why?
Check out Kendra's go-to flystyle here.

Passions/jobs/joys outside of running:
Athlete advocate, dancer, foodie