Jackie Joyner-Kersee Quotes

Powerful Jackie Joyner-Kersee for Daily Growth

About Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Jackie Joyner-Kersee: A Trailblazing Athlete and Philanthropist Born on March 3, 1962, in East St. Louis, Illinois, Jackie Joyner-Kersee embodies the spirit of resilience, determination, and grace both on and off the field. Raised by her grandparents in a neighborhood plagued by poverty and violence, she found solace in sports. Her athletic career took flight at UCLA, where she excelled in track and field events, earning the title of All-American five times. In 1984, Joyner-Kersee made her Olympic debut in Los Angeles, winning the gold medal in heptathlon, a multidiscipline event that tests an athlete's abilities in seven track and field disciplines. Throughout her career, she broke numerous world records and won six Olympic medals, four of which were gold. In 1988, she became the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the long jump. Her exceptional performance at the 1996 Atlanta Games, where she claimed a silver medal in heptathlon, served as her swan song in competitive sports. Off the field, Joyner-Kersee is a tireless advocate for education and youth development. She founded the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center (JJKC) in East St. Louis, providing after-school programs, academic support, and physical activities to underprivileged children. Quotes from Jackie Joyner-Kersee resonate with her indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to excellence: "If you don't believe you can do it, you probably won't," and "There is always something new to learn every day." Her life serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of education, and the transformative impact one person can have on their community.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I believe God gave me the talent to pursue athletics, and I was lucky enough to have a family that supported me."

This quote by Jackie Joyner-Kersee conveys her deep-rooted belief in both her inherent talents and the support she received from her family as key factors in her successful career in athletics. She attributes her gift (talent) to pursue athletics as a divine blessing, suggesting a strong spiritual perspective. The reference to her family's support highlights the importance of familial love and encouragement in nurturing her talents and allowing her to reach her potential. This quote offers an insight into the powerful role that faith and family can play in personal development and achievement.

"Set your goals high, and don't stop till you get there."

This quote by Jackie Joyner-Kersee emphasizes the importance of setting ambitious goals and relentlessly pursuing them until they are achieved. It encourages persistence, determination, and a focus on reaching one's full potential, regardless of the obstacles that may arise along the way. The message is powerful because it resonates with individuals striving for personal or professional success, inspiring them to never give up and to continually push themselves towards greatness.

"You can be confident of this, that whoever sows dishonesty will reap trouble, and whoever sows good seed, good seed."

This quote by Jackie Joyner-Kersee suggests that one's actions have consequences. Sowing dishonesty or negativity leads to trouble in the future, while sowing goodness and positivity brings about good results. In essence, it encourages the reader to make conscious decisions about their actions, understanding that every action has a consequence, and choosing to act with integrity and kindness for the betterment of themselves and others.

"My athletic career has taught me to focus on the present but have a vision for the future."

This quote emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between staying focused in the present moment while having a clear vision for the future. Jackie Joyner-Kersee, a renowned athlete, suggests that her career taught her to be fully engaged and dedicated during each phase or stage of her athletic journey (focusing on the present), but also to keep an eye on her long-term goals and aspirations (having a vision for the future). This approach allows one to make progress in the present while keeping the end goal in sight, ensuring sustainable growth and success.

"I always say that everyone should have goals—short-term and long-term ones."

This quote emphasizes the importance of setting both short-term and long-term goals for personal growth and development. Short-term goals, such as daily tasks or weekly achievements, provide immediate direction and smaller milestones towards larger aspirations. Long-term objectives, on the other hand, serve as a guiding compass for the future, offering a sense of purpose and a clear destination to work towards. By balancing focus between short-term and long-term goals, individuals can maintain momentum, experience incremental progress, and ultimately achieve significant success in their endeavors.

Winning is great, but being able to finish my last Olympic Games on American soil was very important. Even though I was injured, I didn't let my psyche get the best of me and cause me to doubt myself, so I was willing to pull every muscle in my body in '96 in order to get the job done and I came away with the bronze medal.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Away, Very, Olympic, Psyche

My denial and irresponsible attitude about asthma put me at great risk and caused me so much needless suffering. My hope is that the kids I talk to learn to open up about their asthma, become educated about their condition, and seek help.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Suffering, Denial, About, Irresponsible

The London games mark the 24th anniversary of my winning two golds and setting the world record in the heptathlon. Someone is going to want it; records are made to be broken - it's only a matter of time. I hope mine will outlive me.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

London, Matter, Records, World Record

There are a lot of other people that really play a significant role in helping you become an Olympian.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Play, Other, Lot, Olympian

When I was in elementary school, we weren't allowed to do sports other than cheerleading. By junior high, they let us play, but we had to come back after 6:30 p.m. to practice because there was only one gymnasium and the boys used it first.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Practice, Play, Other, Junior

I don't think there is a perfect athlete. But if I had to come close to picking someone who demonstrates all the traits that I feel an athlete should have, I would say the perfect athlete would be Tiger Woods. He has the ability, he's humble and he's very good at what he does.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Humble, Very, Traits, None

We live in a world where sports have the potential to bridge the gap between racism, sexism and discrimination. The 2012 Olympic Games was a great start but hopefully what these games taught us is that if women are given an opportunity on an equal playing field the possibilities for women are endless.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Possibilities, Olympic, Women Are

Competing in both track and field and basketball for the Bruins I have a lot of great memories to choose from. But my all-time favorite moment in collegiate sports has to be in 1982 when we won UCLA's first NCAA title in track.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Moment, Choose, Title, All-Time

I would like 'I Dream of Genie' powers.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Dream, Like, Would, Genie

Quality training is what I do now; before it was a combination of both quality and quantity. Now I'm not trying to be a world-class athlete, I don't need to train at that level. It's about being fit, fit for life.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Quantity, World-Class, Train

There are many women who came before me who didn't really have the same opportunities that I have had. That's why I always wanted to be a great ambassador - not only today's generation - but for the women who really didn't have a voice, but who paved the way for me.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Voice, Why, Before, Paved

Even though I'm not a competitive athlete, I have to still maintain things and try to keep myself fit because I am at that age where I need to make sure to get those regular checkups and make sure everything is in tact.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Fitness, Maintain, Fit, Tact

Ask any athlete: We all hurt at times. I'm asking my body to go through seven different tasks. To ask it not to ache would be too much.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Athlete, Asking, Through, Tasks

It's important to me to try and expose young people to the things they believe are off-limits to them. I tell them, 'There are no walls, only the ones we put up.' My advice to young people looking at my life is not to follow my footprint but to go out there and make their own.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

My Life, Advice, Young, Footprint

I do not take steroids. I never have. It's sad to me that people want to point fingers. I don't do that. That's not me. I wouldn't feel like a human being.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Want, Human Being, Like, Steroids

I'm more of a hands-on person. I like working with young people from the standpoint of providing support for the grassroots programs. State, national and Olympic champions begin at a grassroots level.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Like, Providing, Olympic, Standpoint

I was diagnosed with asthma when I was 18 during my freshman year at UCLA. I refused to accept it - and I hid it from my coaches and teammates. But ignoring my problem didn't make it go away.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Away, Hid, Refused, Diagnosed

It wasn't until I was 14 and watched the 1976 Olympic games on television that I really started to dream about the big time. I remember seeing Evelyn Ashford in the 100 meters, and she was going to UCLA.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Big, I Remember, Olympic, UCLA

Some people are embarrassed to say they came from East St. Louis, Ill., but now more people want to claim it. I grew up in a community center and I knew what it gave me. I always knew I wanted to give back and help people because people helped me.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Back, Some, Embarrassed, Louis

Your environment doesn't define you. I don't have a lot of money, but I can help train people and I can talk to people. We can all be mentors to the next generation.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Generation, Next, Your, Train

I'm a realist and I always have been. Quality training is what I do now; before it was a combination of both quality and quantity. Now I'm not trying to be a world-class athlete, I don't need to train at that level. It's about being fit, fit for life.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Quantity, Always, Been, Train

People assume that because I'm a great athlete, I can dance. But no. My rhythm is off a little bit.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Athlete, Rhythm, Little Bit, Assume

When I started competing, you had to have your coach there. Now you can be coached from a home office via Skype or video. That's not the same as having them on the field with you.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Competing, Coached, Having, Skype

The 2012 London Olympic Games fostered a generation of hope. I witnessed women participating for the very first time, representing every nation.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Generation, Very, Witnessed, Olympic Games

Even at 10 or 12, I was a hot, fast little cheerleader.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Hot, Fast, Even, Cheerleader

The person who talks a lot or talks over people misses out because they weren't listening.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Listening, Over, Lot, Misses

I learned to listen and listen very well. It helped me athletically and in the classroom as well. The person who talks a lot or talks over people misses out because they weren't listening.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Listening, Over, Very, Misses

Once I leave this earth, I know I've done something that will continue to help others.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Will, Done, Something, Help Others

My passion for giving is no different than yours. I give because it's in my heart to give. I give because I was taught to give at a very early age. This is how I developed my passion for giving.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Give, Very, Very Early Age, Yours

People assuming that because I'm a great athlete, I can dance. But no. My rhythm is off a little bit.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Athlete, Rhythm, Little Bit, Assuming

I set my sights on making an Olympic team, not realizing how tough it was going to be.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

How, Making, Olympic, Realizing

I always have been trying to work on the other side of Jackie, and that is, making sure that my appearance, that my image, is right; also, working in the job world, knowing how it is to wake up and go to a job.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Always, Image, Been, Jackie

I'm not shy. I'm modest, but I'm very outgoing.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Shy, Outgoing, Very, Modest

I learned to listen and listen very well. It helped me athletically and in the classroom as well.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Me, Very, Learned, Classroom

There are few restrictions on your life with asthma, as long as you take care of yourself.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Take Care, Few, Take, Care

All I ever wanted really, and continue to want out of life, is to give 100 percent to whatever I'm doing and to be committed to whatever I'm doing and then let the results speak for themselves. Also to never take myself or people for granted and always be thankful and grateful to the people who helped me.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Thankful, Doing, Percent, Helped

I've had asthma my entire life.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Life, Had, Entire, Asthma

What people need to know is that asthma isn't a minor 'wheeze-disease.' It kills over five thousand people in America every year, and I could've been one of them.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Over, Been, Minor, Asthma

I really do miss playing basketball. I don't play a lot of pick-up games. But I do like using basketball as a form of cross training.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Play, Like, Using, Miss

Growing up in the time of Title IX - it was passed when I was 10 - I got a front-row seat to so many great moments in women's sports. Of course I didn't know it at the time.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Sports, Title, Many, Great Moments

I don't think being an athlete is unfeminine. I think of it as a kind of grace.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Think, Athlete, I Think, Grace

I love track and field, but I also know the day will come when I will have to do something else.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Love, Will, Something Else, Track And Field

Teaching kids about health and fitness is important to me. It's about being fit for life.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Fitness, Important, Fit, Kids

I have this burning desire to get out there and do my best. It's as if I'm keeping it all in a little bottle, and it's all going to come out when I do the best I'm capable of doing.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Desire, Doing, Keeping, Bottle

Age is no barrier. It's a limitation you put on your mind.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Mind, Limitation, Your, Barrier

I'm always challenged by someone.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Someone, Always, Challenged

As you grow older and young people come up to you with their history books, you realize that some of the things I have been able to do have been impactful. But for me, I try to keep everything in perspective and stay humble.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Humble, Some, Been, Perspective

I'm a realist and I always have been.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Always, Been, Realist

Give back in some way. Always be thoughtful of others.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Give, Some, Always, Others

It's better to look ahead and prepare, than to look back and regret.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Regret, Better, Prepare, Ahead

It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Regret, Better, Prepare, Ahead

I might attempt Zumba. I haven't yet, but I thought it would be a lot of fun and different.

- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Thought, Lot, Would, Attempt

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