Sydney McLaughlin (22) is one of the hottest names in athletics and is married to a former American football player. However, celebrity life has its downsides and the American warned young people against using social media.

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A world record holder, a favorite of sponsors and models, the American quickly became a media favourite.

But the stress and attention that comes with exercise isn’t always easy to deal with. Therefore, this 22-year-old woman has taken the steps that some of her age are doing:

Three weeks before every competition — including this summer’s WC — he shuts down Instagram and other social media. Just because it gave him anxiety.

McLaughlin says he didn’t miss it and he feels better as a person without likes, comments and shares.

– I have to take care of social media because it’s part of the business, but I make sure that it doesn’t take over my life, he said RunnersWorld.com.

He warned young players not to get absorbed in the digital world.

– It’s about what you replaced that time with. For me it is reading. I love reading the Bible, and spending time with my husband and friends. It’s about finding your passion and something you’re really passionate about, says McLaughlin.

He is religious and uses his Instagram biography to say that “Jesus is God”.

McLaughlin, along with Karsten Warholm, were spearheading a revolution in the 400 meters hurdles. VG has previously written about how distance is an exercise in crisisbefore world records were set on both men’s and women’s sides in recent years.

The 22-year-old McLaughlin himself has dropped world records three times since 2020. Most recently during the Americas championships in late June, when he lowered his own record five-hundredth to 51.41.

It was set at Hayward Field in Eugene – the venue for this month’s World Athletics Championships. McLaughlin now has four of the five all-time fastest times in the distance, and is favorite to win her first WC gold ahead of challengers Dalilah Muhammad and Femke Bol – the second and third fastest women of all time in the 400 meters hurdles.

– Everything is possible when I go to the track, said McLaughlin after the record race, according to NBC.

– The goal is to develop myself further and push the boundaries, he continued.

June brought some happy moments for McLaughlin, who is married to former NFL player Andre Levrone Jr. in Madison, Virginia.

– We have been waiting a long time for this day, and I am very happy that it is finally here and we can say that we are married, said the runner People.

According to his coach Bob Kersee, McLaughlin will eventually aim for the 400m flat, where the goal is to break Marita Koch’s 37-year-old world record of 47.60.

For now, however, the focus is on WC gold in the 400-yard goal.

– I’m still learning this exercise, and have shown progress over the years. It was cool to have an actual race plan instead of just going out and running, he said.

The World Championships in Athletics will be held on July 15-24. McLaughlin runs the 400m hurdles final on Friday 22 July. Amalie Iuel also competed at a distance. The championship is broadcast on NRK.