Natasha Hastings is an Olympic, World and US National Champion Track and Field Sprinter. She specializes in the 400 and 4×400 meter relay events. Born and raised in New York City, Natasha started running at the age of 9.
Continuing her successful career, Natasha finished second in the 400 meters at the 2015 USATF National Championship and won a Silver medal with the 4×400 meters relay team at the 2015 World Championships. Making a return to the Olympics, Natasha finished third in the 400 meters at the 2016 US Olympic Trials. After finishing fourth in the 400 meters final, Natasha won her second Olympic Gold medal, running the fastest split, as a member of the 4×400 meter relay team.
Famously known as the 400M Diva, to give you a glimpse of her personality and professional life, Natasha Hastings vlogs on her YouTube channel too.
To tell you so much more about the 400M Diva, Women Fitness recently caught up with the spectacular Olympian and spoke to her about her life, dreams and her signature red lipstick.
Namita Nayyar:
You began your track career at a very young age and made a first place win at the USATF Junior Olympics in the 400 metres in the Youth Girls division. Since then there has been no turning back. If you had to define your career, in your own words, how would you define?
Natasha Hastings:
My career has been one that I would certainly describe as a journey with many ups and downs. I’ve had to find and redefine myself several times throughout. Ultimately though, I believe every moment has been pivotal in the overall outcome and the success I’ve experienced over the years. With every defeat, I’ve had to find some sort of strength within to overcome and rise above the challenges set before me. But I truly believe that my victories have been much sweeter because of my failures. I’ve learned to embrace every moment of the journey.
Namita Nayyar:
What does the workout routine of the ‘400M Diva’ look like?
Natasha Hastings:
I train 5 days per week. 3 of those days are in the gym in the mornings followed by an afternoon session on the track. Each day is tailored depending on the phase of training that we are in, and the focus changes throughout the year. During the months of November through February, our training cycles tend to be high volume and strength based. From March through August, we decrease the volume and focus on increasing speed. My training days can sometimes be as long as from 9 am to 2 pm, while shorter days are just a couple hours.
Full Interview Continued On Next Page
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All Written Content Copyright © 2018 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar:
Having participated and won at the Olympic Games, what would be your three most important tips for aspiring Olympians?
Natasha Hastings:
- Have a plan.
- Surround yourself with people that believe in you and your plan.
- Be willing to make sacrifices.
Namita Nayyar:
Breakfast being the most important meal of the day, what do you like to have for breakfast? How do you keep yourself fuelled during training sessions?
Natasha Hastings:
I’m not a big breakfast person, but it is the most important meal of the day. So, what I have in the mornings strongly depends on my appetite that day. If I’m not very hungry, I’ll make a green smoothie with protein and fruits. I’ll change the fruits and veggies from time to time for variety, and I try to stick with frozen or seasonal fruits. On days where I have a bigger appetite, I’ll have some oatmeal with some fruits on top. Usually strawberries or banana. No matter what, I make sure I fuel my body in some way before heading to a workout.
Namita Nayyar:
5 Favorite exercises that are a must for building a strong body at home.
Natasha Hastings:
- Jack knife
- Wall sits
- Squats/squat jumps
- Push ups
- Planks
Namita Nayyar:
How would you define Women Fitness?
Natasha Hastings:
Women Fitness is a lot like the definition of beauty to me. It’s what you have set for yourself and what you desire it to be. I believe it’s all about setting your goals and having a plan to achieve those goals.
Namita Nayyar:
After overcoming issues with your “boy” body and depleted self-esteem, to missing out on the 2012 Olympics, your journey to success hasn’t been an easy one. You have a very interesting series of videos called “Tea Time”, which focuses on topics ranging from dating to mental preparation, often with friends and fellow athletes. What inspired you to take this up? How can one overcome their “self-doubts”?
Natasha Hastings:
I felt that it was important people understand that on the other side of the incredible things you see us doing on the track or field, there is a human being. There are so many things that go into preparing for competition, but there are also so many other things that affect our performances. I wanted to educate people on what it’s like to be a professional track athlete. There were many questions that people had, that I just assumed were common knowledge. So, it’s actually ended up being a learning experience for me as well.
I’ve learned the first steps to overcoming self-doubt is changing your language. There’s tremendous power in words, and sometimes you have to fake it till you make it. I had to learn how to speak to myself positively. Change my negative thoughts to positive thoughts. Even if I wasn’t quite where I wanted to be, I had to believe I was going to get there and I’m able to achieve all those things. I also wanted to create a platform where there is a transparent discussion on growing pains and issues regarding self-love that especially young women go through. I wanted to show them that they are not alone and that we can all uplift each other through out our journeys.
Namita Nayyar:
Relaxing and rejuvenating your body is equally important for any sportsperson; how do you relax after a hectic training session?
Natasha Hastings:
First, I get weekly massages. Although, they don’t tend to be “relaxing,” I do feel ten times better afterwards. I also use my compression boots and take warm epsom soaks pretty often. For the more feminine things, I try to get my nails done every other week, and do at home facials every week. I do believe it’s important to make this time for yourself no matter what. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, but small moments of self-love are absolute necessities.
Namita Nayyar:
You have been always noticed with your signature lipstick in place on the track. Why that red do you have some specific reason behind it? Also, you are also well-known for your flashy and classy makeup. Why there is an urgent need for women to look their best?
Natasha Hastings:
Red just seems to be my color. I think after my Unlike Any commercial campaign for Under Armour, it became a permanent fixture. For a few years I went back and forth with several bright colors. I figured out that when I run in bright colors I run pretty fast. Races with nude lipsticks don’t tend to be so fast. Yes, it’s a superstitious thing! Lol. I firmly believe in the idea of “if you look good, you feel good, feel good, you perform good.” I think as a woman would get dressed for any other job, I’m doing the same for mine. Getting my makeup done before a race also calms me down and gives me something to do with my hands.
Namita Nayyar:
Playing outdoor sports can take a toll on your hair and skin. How do you take care of them?
Natasha Hastings:
Sunscreen! Sunscreen! Sunscreen! Being a woman of color, sometimes people think we don’t need sunscreen, but I live and die by it. I take extra care in making sure my hair and skin are moisturized, and I drink plenty of water.
Namita Nayyar:
As you near retirement, how do you plan to continue your journey and inspire girls & sportswomen who constantly look up to you?
Natasha Hastings:
I’ve started the Natasha Hastings Foundation where our mission is to be a starting block for girls to become women of confidence in sport and life. This fall, we have a fundraiser being held in NYC to raise funds for girls to attend high school nationals. Under the foundation, we also host Tea Time events that are intended to create a safe space for girls to ask whatever questions they may have about life in sport, and practices on how to overcome the challenges of our teenage years of loving ourselves. I’ve also started a beauty collection called the 400m Diva Collection featuring 6 different styles of Siberian mink lashes. You can find out about both of these projects on my website www.natashahastings.com. My hope is to continue to inspire women through my direct work in the community as well as in my entrepreneurial endeavors.
Namita Nayyar:
Share a motivation quote for women all over the world?
Natasha Hastings:
Be careful of how you speak to yourself because you might be listening. Remember there is so much power in words, and the way you see and think of yourself is incredibly important.
Be sure to follow her on-
- https://www.instagram.com/natashahastings/
- https://twitter.com/natashahastings
- https://www.facebook.com/natashamoniquehastings/
- https://www.natashahastings.com
All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http:// www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. 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 © 2018 Women Fitness