Altis - The Olympic Year
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Last year I was accepted to train at Altis (formerly the World Athletics Center) in Phoenix, Arizona, where I was offered a Semi-Pro Membership. Because of you, I was able to cover the full cost of attendance, race in Canada and run at my first senior national championship in Great Britain.
Many of you know my story as it pertains to track & field: I was a highly decorated Division III athlete trying to make a name for myself after college. I left Wheaton College a national record holder in the 400m hurdles, a 2x national champion in the 400m, and a 16x All-American.
During my first professional track & field season, I set personal bests in the open 400m and 400m hurdles- I shaved nearly 2 full seconds off of my hurdle time, ranked within the top 50 women in the world and 4th in the UK. I also signed with Oiselle, an incredible women's running apparel company that has supported me tremendously on my journey.
This year, I have the opportunity to continue my training with Altis as we approach the Olympic year. However, the cost of tuition has increased. My apparel sponsor, Oiselle, has generous enough to contribute to my training fund and your support as been wonderful in this process. I still have a lot of sponsorship to raise.
Young professional athletes often have to balance full time work with full time training in order to continue to strive for our goals. And sometimes, like you, we have to make hard choices in an effort to be successful.
I am currently able to work 40 hours a week at my first job, but when training begins in October I will have to cut this number down significantly.
I wrestled with launching another fundraising campaign. I did not want to ask for help again, but I know that there is a point when you have to put your pride aside and do what you need to do in order to move forward.
I have not shied away from transparency with you in my first year and many of you have read of some of the battles I faced this year: http://www.oiselle.com/blog/letter-shante-little-post-bird-camp
One of my greatest motivations in this career, especially in the Olympic year, is to continue to build a platform so that I can reach other female athletes with similar stories. However, it is equally important for me to reach young women and girls who are working, like me, through their challenges, and toward their aspirations to eventually find fulfillment, success and joy in whatever they wish to accomplish.
I have said it before: I want to be a beacon and a changemaker. I know that this is a way in which I can achieve that and help reach young women who want and need to hear new, supportive and powerful voices that affirm their experience and support their individual journeys.
So please, help me to continue my journey with Altis and share my story along the way.
For more information on Altis, please visit: http://worldathleticscenter.com/news/introducing-altis/
For more information about my journey please follow me on Twitter (@shantelittle_) and Instagram (@shantelittle).
See you in Rio. #changemakers
Love and many thanks,
Shante
Many of you know my story as it pertains to track & field: I was a highly decorated Division III athlete trying to make a name for myself after college. I left Wheaton College a national record holder in the 400m hurdles, a 2x national champion in the 400m, and a 16x All-American.
During my first professional track & field season, I set personal bests in the open 400m and 400m hurdles- I shaved nearly 2 full seconds off of my hurdle time, ranked within the top 50 women in the world and 4th in the UK. I also signed with Oiselle, an incredible women's running apparel company that has supported me tremendously on my journey.
This year, I have the opportunity to continue my training with Altis as we approach the Olympic year. However, the cost of tuition has increased. My apparel sponsor, Oiselle, has generous enough to contribute to my training fund and your support as been wonderful in this process. I still have a lot of sponsorship to raise.
Young professional athletes often have to balance full time work with full time training in order to continue to strive for our goals. And sometimes, like you, we have to make hard choices in an effort to be successful.
I am currently able to work 40 hours a week at my first job, but when training begins in October I will have to cut this number down significantly.
I wrestled with launching another fundraising campaign. I did not want to ask for help again, but I know that there is a point when you have to put your pride aside and do what you need to do in order to move forward.
I have not shied away from transparency with you in my first year and many of you have read of some of the battles I faced this year: http://www.oiselle.com/blog/letter-shante-little-post-bird-camp
One of my greatest motivations in this career, especially in the Olympic year, is to continue to build a platform so that I can reach other female athletes with similar stories. However, it is equally important for me to reach young women and girls who are working, like me, through their challenges, and toward their aspirations to eventually find fulfillment, success and joy in whatever they wish to accomplish.
I have said it before: I want to be a beacon and a changemaker. I know that this is a way in which I can achieve that and help reach young women who want and need to hear new, supportive and powerful voices that affirm their experience and support their individual journeys.
So please, help me to continue my journey with Altis and share my story along the way.
For more information on Altis, please visit: http://worldathleticscenter.com/news/introducing-altis/
For more information about my journey please follow me on Twitter (@shantelittle_) and Instagram (@shantelittle).
See you in Rio. #changemakers
Love and many thanks,
Shante
Organizer
Shante Little
Organizer
Phoenix, AZ
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