Rule number one when running the world: Self-Care.
Over the past several years, Black women have been asserting their dominance in the sphere of sports, earning well-deserved acclaim and recognition on a grand stage. Amidst this landscape, Kaila Jackson emerged as a beacon for young women of color in the heart of the Midwest, making her mark in the arena of track and field. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that while running the world seemed to come naturally to her, it was never mistaken for being easy.
From her early days of challenging classmates to races in the school gym during second grade to winning three national titles and breaking four records at the Junior Olympics in her high school junior year, Jackson’s journey has been defined by various accomplishments and accolades, but also the literal and figurative hurdles she’s had to overcome.
Yet, how does she manage to keep pushing herself to new heights? Her trajectory has been propelled by an unwavering focus, unparalleled support, and a harmonious fusion of diligence and effort. These elements have pushed the young athlete into arenas that remain inaccessible to many in her field. Beyond these evident factors, a singular common thread that undeniably contributes to Jackson’s narrative is her profound comprehension of self-care encompassing both mental and physical well-being.
“Mental health is a really big thing when it comes to the sport of track,” said Jackson. It’s about 90 percent mental. Staying on top of my mental state helps in times when I feel lost or stuck on a part of a race that I can’t get over. Talking to someone I feel like is good for anyone to do, instead of keeping it all in and stressing out about it.”
From an early point, Jackson was forced to develop the skills to navigate her mental well-being when she encountered a health scare that cast a shadow over her future. In the initial stages of her professional journey, Jackson was confronted with the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. Faced with this difficult challenge, she deliberated surrendering her aspirations of pursuing a career in track and even embarked on a pause to evaluate her options and come to terms with the new life that lay ahead.
“I knew nothing about diabetes, and I just thought I can’t do sports anymore,” Jackson recalled. “But then my doctor explained to me that once I got healthy and started the right medications to maintain my glucose numbers, I would actually probably be faster because your body would be stronger and healthier. I didn’t believe it at first. I set out for a while and my dad asked me if I wanted to just try and go to the track to run and see how up I felt. I ended up doing that and I felt great. I was happy to be back, and I went back to training with my team not long after that. I feel like it was definitely a learning experience. I wouldn’t say everything is perfect now, but I definitely am doing great with managing and going to school, track practice and competing.”
With encouragement from her father and a more comprehensive understanding of her condition from her medical team, Jackson discovered a means to harmonize her health objectives with her passion. What initially appeared to be a contradictory path from her track pursuits unexpectedly provided her with the tools she required to elevate her performance to unprecedented heights.
While the demands on her physical and mental fortitude were undeniably challenging, Jackson pressed forward. She not only persevered in her competitions but also shattered records, established novel benchmarks, and steadfastly etched her name into the annals of sporting history worldwide.
As she completed her high school career at the top of her game, the search for the ideal college became a matter of paramount importance. While a multitude of considerations influenced her decision, her well-being remained at the forefront, ultimately directing her to decide on the University of Georgia.
“The one thing that stuck out to me at University of Georgia is that they were so interested in helping me keep up with my health with diabetes,” said Jackson.
“Other schools told me to just speak to a nutritionist about my diabetes, but Georgia knew about Type 1 diabetes. They knew what to do and how to help me. On my visit with them I had an incident where my numbers were low. Everyone told my parents to step aside, and they got me everything I needed. That moment showed me they knew what to do and how to take care of me away from my parents. That was really my deciding factor.”
By participating in leadership initiatives, accessing mental health resources tailored for athletes, and benefiting from the presence of engaged medical professionals and nutritionists on campus, Jackson’s conviction in selecting the University of Georgia is steadfast. The tight-knit network of support, combined with the independence instilled by her parents, has provided Jackson with an environment in which she can further her athletic journey. Within these nurturing confines, she draws inspiration from her fellow young Black female athletes who, like her, conquer challenges with determination and resilience, including gold medalist Sha’Carri Richardson.
“Her recent win really motivates me a lot, especially knowing what she has been through. She set a great example of staying patient. She has shown that as long as you stay patient everything will come. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, be patient and it will all work out.”
And indeed, her efforts are bearing fruit. Jackson travels the globe, shattering records and representing her city with pride. Despite her global endeavors, her roots remain firmly embedded in Detroit. Her endearing personality, unwavering concentration, and exceptional talents have culminated in her recent addition of an international championship to her extensive list of achievements. Throughout her freshman year, her accomplishments amassed over 20 titles, which encompass her status as the U20 PAN AM NACAC record holder, recipient of the Women’s SEC Freshman of the Year award, and holder of the school record for the 60-meter sprint.
Presently pursuing a degree in journalism, Jackson nurtures aspirations of becoming a sports broadcaster down the line. Before embarking on that journey, her immediate targets include participation in the 2024 Olympics in Paris and securing an NCAA Championship victory. Grasping the significance of unwavering dedication and concentration required to attain these objectives, Jackson underscores the imperative of safeguarding her mental and physical well-being. She is resolute in her acknowledgment that prioritizing her overall health is paramount in the pursuit of these ambitions, and she is determined to take the necessary measures to uphold her well-being as a foremost priority.
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