Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone had immense promise ever since she was a child. By the time it came time for her to turn pro in June 2018, her potential had grown manyfold. Two years before turning pro, the hurdler had already participated in her first Olympics. So it’s no surprise that sponsors competed to get the athlete onboard their brand. One such sponsor made quite an enticing offer.

While McLaughlin-Levrone already had a sponsor in New Balance, the hurdler had to renegotiate terms as she was going pro. That’s when the Olympian’s agent informed her that Under Armour had entered the picture. “Normally, I am a very predictable, calculated person. I don’t tend to stray too far from the safest option. This, though, was not one of those times,” revealed McLaughlin-Levrone.

Why Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone gravitated toward the unfamiliar band

“There was something intriguing about Under Armour,” Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone wrote in her book Far Beyond Gold: Running From Fear of Faith. “They brought three large vision boards filled with their plans to make me the face of their track-and-field division,” the 400m hurdles world record holder recalled in her autobiographical book.

Under Armour was in the process of building its track and field division. “They said the possibilities were endless. We could build the brand together. As I listened, I wondered if this would be my chance to make a name for myself. My concept of image started to hold more sway in the decision than common sense,” the Olympic gold medalist revealed.

Despite her familiarity with New Balance and the brand promising a similar plan, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was dreaming of fame. “I had made up my mind: I was going with Under Armour. I was excited,” explained the athlete. However, what she didn’t consider was the time and effort it would take to adjust to a new brand. That’s when her mother came to the rescue.

Why choosing Under Armour may have been a career-altering mistake, according to her

It was Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s mother who intervened when she decided to sign with Under Armour. The four-time Olympic gold medalist’s mother didn’t mince her words and said the 25-year-old was making a mistake. While she was dreaming of fame, Mrs McLaughlin reminded the hurdles specialist about her past with New Balance.

“I couldn’t remember a time when I hadn’t worn their shoes,” recounted the Olympian. What’s more? The track and field prodigy even knew the benefits of sticking with a new balance. “After suffering the stress fracture in college, a return to New Balance would have kept the problem from getting worse. They had been like family to me,” revealed the former world champion.

New Balance had seen the athlete grow as they supported her through high school. The brand made everything from custom shoes to uniforms for the still-growing teenage athlete. However, an illusion of future fame had blinded Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s judgment. Thankfully, her mother’s intervention worked.

“I immediately knew she was right. My feet were my greatest asset. Why would I go with a company that had no proof it would be a good match? I had made my decision based on feelings and image, but it lacked perspective. I wasn’t investing in my future. Later that day, Dad told me he agreed with Mom (no surprise there). I called my agent and told him I’d made a mistake, I wanted to go with New Balance if they’d still have me,” revealed the 25-year-old.

The brand was more than willing to have her back and the hurdler ultimately signed a $1.5 million contract with NB in 2018. Since then, the Olympic champion hasn’t looked back. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone set the 400m hurdles world record in 2021 in New Balance gear. In the following years, the New Jersey native broke her own record five times and became the 2024 World Athletics Female Track Athlete of the Year. Who knows? Switching to Under Armour may not have made any of this possible.