Jennifer Lynn Suhr is an American pole vaulter. She has been an Olympic and World champion, has been ranked #1 in the World, has been the #1 American pole vaulter since 2006, and has won a total of 17 US National Championships (7 Indoor, 10 Outdoor). She holds the world indoor pole vault record at 5.03 m (16 ft 6 in). She holds the American women’s pole vault record indoors. In 2008, she won the U.S. Olympic trials, setting an American record of 4.92 m (16 ft 2 in) and won a silver medal in the Beijing Olympics. She won the gold medal at the London Olympics on August 6, 2012. Track & Field News named her American Female Athlete of the Year for 2008.
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar had a candid interview with Jenn Suhr Olympics and World Champion in Pole Vault talks about her workout, diet, hair & skin care, beauty secrets and success story.
Namita Nayyar:
You have been an Olympic and World Champion, has been ranked world No.1, has been American Pole Vaulter No.1 since 2006, and has won a total of 17 US National Championships (7 Indoor and 10 Outdoor). And have been declared as the pole vaulter of the decade by Track & Field News. Share your mental & physical strategies that go behind the victory?
Jenn Suhr:
A lot of people look at the accomplishments for me in Pole Vault and think I was a “natural” and destined to pole vault. That couldn’t be more false. I have to work really hard at pole vaulting and it was very awkward because I was not a gymnast and I started vaulting at age 22. I played basketball on scholarship in college and at the end of my senior year at Roberts Wesleyan College is when I tried pole vaulting. I had to learn a lot fast but mainly I had to learn to compete in an atmosphere that was extremely different than Team Sports. I had to learn to deal with the feelings that come with individuals sports. The pressure is on you, everyone is watching you, and you don’t have teammates as a support system right next to you or to pick up the slack if you have an off day. I had to learn how to focus and execute under stress. I am someone that gets very nervous and I had to learn how to channel it to save my energy and use it as adrenaline during performance. I look back at the accomplishments and each one had its struggles and challenges that accompanied it. Perseverance, determination, and coaching are what got me to be Vaulter of the Decade. Each of those successful moments is a result of not willing to give up.
Namita Nayyar:
You got involved in sports at a young age, playing softball at age 6. At 9, you competed in an adult golf league with your grandfather. Factors that drew you towards the sport?
Jenn Suhr:
I actually started golf first with my grandfather in an adult league at age 9. The reason I went into softball at age 12 was I saw my neighbour come home with a “uniform” and I told my mom I wanted to play softball. So basically, I started competitive sports for the fashion of the uniform.
Namita Nayyar:
Introduce us to a day in your life, as an athlete and a woman full of aspirations. Three stress busters tips.
Jenn Suhr:
I have a specific routine every morning. I first have to let my dog outside, I pop in a Kcup and the turn on the news. I have to spend some “me” time in the morning. I’ll bounce around in between coffee, laundry and household cleaning. Whatever is in store for practice I always have to get ready, shower, hair make-up. It is my prep time for my mind to get into the right zone. Currently, I am at home training and lifting in quarantine but I still take a shower and get ready for the simplest lifting session in my backyard, I told you I like routine! At some point during the day I take my dog for a walk and the fresh air and activity lets I am able to decompress and burn off any extra energy. Plus, it makes me happy to know my dog is enjoying his day too. My third stress buster is at night. I enjoy having some wine either by a fire or to music videos. It’s a good way to end the day without listening to the news or any shows that get you too hyped up for bed.
Full Interview is Continued on Next Page
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2020 Women Fitness
