The Drive Phase
The Drive Phase
Yohan Blake: Working Hard - Building a Legacy
As we start a new season of The Drive Podcast, we have exciting new segments including “On the Sideline”, “Play of the Day” and “Podcast Pick”. In “On the sideline”, Dalton will be addressing topical issues in the sporting industry. In the “Play of the Day” he speaks with Olympian Yohan Blake.
In this episode, our guest, Yohan Blake discusses Blake: The Past, Present and the Future. He speaks about the new club new club, TITANS International, that he is currently training with. He shares that Tokyo 2020 will be his final Summer Olympic Games. He noted that he is looking to transition into playing cricket and spoke about his introduction to the sport by his father. He discussed his early rise in track and field while he attended the St Jago High school and running at the Boys and Girls Championships.
Yohan also speaks about:
- How he made a decision to become a part of the Racers Track Club and the role Usain Bolt played in him going to the club
- His sojourn into acting as he prepares for life post track and field
- How hard he trained to compete with and beat Usain Bolt in the 2012 season
- Winning the 2011 World Athletics Championships 100m final and the role that Usain played in helping him to prepare for major championships
- How he handles criticism from the general public and peers
Yohan speaks about his relationship with Coach Glen Mills and his decision to leave the Racer’s Track Club due to him not believing he was receiving sufficient attention. He discusses how he handled the injuries between 2013 and 2015 and his decision to stick to the sport despite how difficult his recovery was. His relationship with his partner and the role she has played in supporting him and him having a balanced lifestyle.
Other topics discussed are:
- The importance of having multiple sources of income as he dealt with the impact of the pandemic on potential earning opportunities
- An update on his health and injuries
- Advice for young and upcoming athletes.
- The work that is done through the YB Afraid Foundation
- His plans for the future including motivational speaker
- His current relationship with Usain Bolt and the respect he has for the sprint legend
Connect with Yohan:
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Welcome to the dry phase podcast, the best podcasts with information on issues surrounding sports business in the Caribbean. On the dry phase, we have discussions with sport, administrators, coaches, athletes, and various stakeholders in the sporting industry and examine their contribution to sports and entrepreneurship. Here's your host, Dalton Myers.
Speaker 2:All right. So that's the introduction, Colleen, and welcome to the season three, everyone of the dry face podcast, we took the time off to do some webinars and online forum. So you can check those out on or YouTube appeared. And I think this season is going to be a fun. So we have some exciting plans for the season. And today we will have a, what we call on the sideline, where I will take on a topical easiest of the day, then our main segment play of the day. Then we close out with of course, in a book reference. So that's the plan for today and I'm sure it's going to be fun on the side. Then today I will discuss elections of sport executives in Jamaica and to some extent, uh, the Caribbean. So would the eagerly anticipated Jamaica athletics administrative association, J three for short election sets, uh, to begin sometime soon. And you'll still be to elect a new executive this year. I thought I'd share a few thoughts. Firstly, despite what you think several persons do not have a vote in the election process, quite a number of persons. We think don't and how the constitution is established will be determine who are the voting delegates? No, each time an election for sporting body in the region is coming up. There's quite a number of, uh, different talks. Uh, there are several comments from the public and the media about who should be at the helm, uh, summit even voiced disapproval of the successful candidates. And it doesn't matter which organization it is. What truth is. Most candidates will only campaign or care about those who are either members voting delegates or potential delegates or those who can influence the votes. Um, off the delegates that leaves a lot of persons dispute criticisms for the next two to four years. And what is called quote unquote, hope for change. Now you may argue that the voting process in many instances needs change and that's a good starting point. I feel over that talk is cheap. And the version that shot is it is if we want to see better leaders in our sporting organizations, if we think that the current crop of leaders need to do more than the first thing that we have to do is understand the whole, we can make that change, how we can make that difference. And it has to start from the grassroots level and for whoever's sick stop calling for government intervention in sport that is problematic and in of itself has so many challenges at various levels. Now government hasn't done well across the Caribbean in terms of unity. So why would we want them in sports anyway? So instead of sitting on the sidelines, maybe more presidents should get involved in the process itself. If you want a change, a whole, you may ask, well, there are several ways you can just become a volunteer. You can put yourself up for election, which sometime is pretty tough as well as figure out how you can become a delegate or how to get delegates on your side. Because the truth is it's not just by arguing. It's not by costing in Jamaica and parallels. Now, remember[inaudible] B O N G O E GFF, netball, Jamaica, whichever organization have different ways to become member. And you have to understand that and how you have a voting, right? That is always crucial. There are key nuances and subtle differences, but it makes no sense sitting on the sideline and continuously arguing that things will never change. It's either. You're a part of the problem as we have heard before, or you are a part of the solution as for the[inaudible] election. I am positive that the honorary secretary Garth Gill will win and probably win by a landslide in many cases, along with many persons on his slit. Now I'm not suggesting that everyone on that slate will win. No, the new executive need to revolutionize the way the[inaudible] operates, Chuck, and feel that at this point as Jamaica's number one sport, so we need to do better. I really want to see more focused on development of academies, uh, focus on athlete development, et cetera. I think we need to focus on those areas, including marketing of the sport so that we can help us to reach to higher Heights. I hope there will be set targets, you know, for the new board, like X percentage of athletes, making the transition from junior to senior over the next two to four years, maybe 80% of income going directly to athletes. And 20% to administration are simple things like support of X number of coaches, going to major events and developing our coaches. We need to focus on facility development and getting better facilities for a number of our athletes to train, et cetera, nutritional support. So there's a lot more to be done. We have to market the sport. We have to promote our athletes. We'll have to help our athletes to be developed a bit more. And we have to focus on getting the athletes to understanding that there is life after track and field. The next few years are going to be very interesting for sports, uh, coming out of the pandemic. And I suppose that the[inaudible] should play an integral role in building our athletes and in building the sport. So if you want to get involved with the G three or any track and field start by becoming volunteers, start by, um, finding unique ways of getting involved, costing that the president or the honor, a treasurer or secretary, et cetera, as not being a good job or Intel cost in the all boys club that won't hurt either, because trust me, they don't care if you've cost them. So get involved and participate as opposed to just staying on the sidelines. And that's it for me, uh, on the sidelines. I am dr. Mez send feedback and comments. I'm on Twitter at Delta and S mayors, or you can just email us, uh, to the drive fees, Gmail that you want to welcome to the Dreyfus podcast.
Speaker 3:Um, thank you for having me. I'm very excited, you know?
Speaker 2:Yeah. Lisa you're, you're, you're a big cricket fan. Um, I suspect you still consider yourself to be a big cricketer.
Speaker 3:Definitely, definitely. Um, I've been watching a lot of cricket. I'd get the more invested in it, Charlie. Um, um, I have some contract that I'm going to pick up with sky sports, BBC, and I'm also definitely in India as well. So I'm looking forward to after I retired, um, I like a lot to come.
Speaker 2:Awesome. So, so the first thing I want to ask you, then what advice, listen, I see the Taylor was frustrating. You as much as me, um, give me some advice for them, uh, your head, because the Jamaica cricket team is, is really frustrating to, for the last two years.
Speaker 3:Yeah, to be honest, there's not much I can say they are, they're packed with talent. And definitely it seems like, um, money is what needs issue. But what I can say to them is just like, um, let's work together and come together and farm a unit. Um, I chemistry because we have the challenge. We have the players look at Chris, Chris, Chris is firing in India and because of a foolish, you know, may increase has been talking, they get them out. And Chris squad showed up and said, listen, I am the world best. Why Jamie camp, your own conjure, why you don't want to jump this money? Uh, because of, um, a could say much about, I just didn't say chemistry, just come together and this work to get on, just be diligent and creative with the guys.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Chris, Chris was, Chris had moved into a different franchise, a new camp. Paul is supposed to be for the st. Lucia Zoucks, uh, well that didn't work out with any, I'd moved overseas to the Indian permanently didn't play. I think the first four matches or six months for six months. And I'm sure they're going to be sorry that they didn't, um, play windows because the one is unfair. The one is unfair. I think he wanted to prove a point.
Speaker 3:It did. Um, so you didn't get that Andre more time talking to Kira we'll except it, you know, um, it wasn't really in his hand, but, um, I guess they did have a plan for him and, um, it didn't, it didn't materialize or materialized where they want to, but, um, I guess they suffered. Yeah.
Speaker 2:Let me ask a question then talk about new camp, uh, Johann, you are in a new camp, uh, Gregory Little, I think his condition in your own Gregory is a very good friend of mine. Um, how has that been going? Uh, Greg is a fantastic dude. Big up a set of Gregory.
Speaker 3:Yeah, MagnaFlow Gregory. Um, definitely I'm in a new, um, new camp, which called we're pharma club called the Titans. Right. Um, we have a bunch of guys, we have some wonderful prospect and also, um, in the camp as well is Mike our Frito, right? So we have two, two very good, good coaches, um, under, uh, under our belt, you know, Gregory whenever on that 1926, that 9.69 Gregor was there, but he was, um, coach understudy, mr. Mills, great coach, by the way. And um, so Gregory, whenever in a 1926, that night Gregor was the agreement, all the program, you know what he's doing, and I'm very, very excited to see what's to come this year. Well, last year wasn't so much because I didn't get to trim or wanted to, but Gregory is smart. You know what he's doing? And also Micah first or with his expertise with which you started and, um, power lifting. Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 2:Th this year it didn't work out. As most of us wanted Johann. Uh, next year is an Olympic year. You have said openly that it probably is your last Olympics based on many things that you want to do after that is a world championship. How are you feeling going into those new specialists in CFR this year to really, um, think about everything?
Speaker 3:Um, to be honest, um, I've been working with some doctors and I'm wondering why my buddy, um, not feeling the way it should be feeling my body has been lucky enough, a lot of things. So I'm fixing it, going to Germany to do all of that time. Also locally to fix all of that. I'm giving it everything. I got my buddy training. Everything is going to be my last Olympics unless I do that said otherwise, but I definitely going to do the world championship after I might be the world I'm going to sleep after if I don't get my contract or by running for the real challenges, Bangalore in India and so much money called forward. So we'll see. So that's, that's where I'm looking. That's where I'm looking. Um, I'm working with some doctors know that is, um, doing some medical. See what my buddy's lucky enough, because I know I have the speed and not have the mental capacity is just what the body is lacking. And that's what I'm working on right now for the next year.
Speaker 2:Let's touch back a bit Johann, uh, to when you went to San Diego high school, uh, you, you a place you love you, you played cricket there. Uh, talk to us about how you decided to the track and field because cricket to this day is your first love. I think,
Speaker 3:Yeah, definitely is always going to be my first love. Um, that's what my father did. He tied me in front of the TV to watch test much back in the days when the court gamblers. Um, and while I'm doing this guy, whispering debt was boiling. And, um, from there I developed a love, um, w we were very, um, not a big family per se with, um, luxury. Uh, my father really struggled with really struggled. Um, and my uncle, my father brought a move me into Kingston. That's where I went to send jiggle and started my career with Danny and Danny attends a very good, it's a great coach, but I'm just leading up the time for us. And it was very odd because every time then it would come on, tell me to come off the cricket field, because I want you to run check. So I'm happy. I didn't go and do cricket because in the state of Jamaica cricket, your future would be in someone's on my future. In my own lane. I choose myself. I go there and I put myself forward today. I don't think I will reach our reach, even the. I work hard, but I don't think I will reach our reach, but I I'm happy that actually stuck out to me when I went to San Diego.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And you did check on feel and, and you did really well. Um, I think it was chumps 2008. You, you had that finals with people like Nicole Ashmeed or she and Bailey. If I remember, well, Jesse Young was, are so in that, in that finals, um, and you demolish that field.
Speaker 3:Yeah. My[inaudible] mother who was on, that's the thing, you know, that's the thing with chumps, you know, that's why I wanted to keep so bad because this, these ghettos prepare for the big stage. And during chance I couldn't be lactic. I don't know what is tired because I just want to run. Yeah. So from, from, from, from Denmark, it's been, it's been sore and, uh, it's been great to, to come on top of that, to come on, to have that chance and to come into this app of[inaudible]
Speaker 2:Jumps off after that to you. It didn't really, if I remember, well, get into, because of injuries, um, you had moved into the reassess truck club. What made, what made you move into recess? What do you think was the defining thing that say, Oh,[inaudible],
Speaker 3:Um, Matt and Simon has been talking, you know, you talked to him at times. I know that's what y'all want to do. Why not be the one to go fire? And I'm not the brightest person. And I didn't, I don't love school. I didn't want to do that. My family was struggling the whole time. Um, everyone was struggling. My mother, there was five of us in one room. Um, I can show the pictures on everything after this, if you want some teachers to put up and let me show you where I'm coming from. Um, and definitely I say I have to work. My mother was happy that I lead us. Funny enough. Um, I think you read it. You really don't want this. When, uh, before I come, before I go to miss misdemeanors meals, I was frustrated. I was injured after that. You talk about that last time I was injured, I went overseas to do acting and, um, I was doing my first role at Wyndham Spencer from Adidas called me. I said, you are, and what you're doing, I flew back home. Yeah. From back home to sign a contract, to get into the ideas and decile. Um, my whole career sets necessary. I'm going to stay with mr. Mills and I are happy. I did. I wanted to do acting though when I'm still pursuing it, because right now I'm doing acting classes here.
Speaker 2:How has that been going? How has
Speaker 3:This has been going? Good. Um, just a little, just a little insight. Um, I've been a role coming up with, um, Daniel Treger and Bruce Willis action committee. I'm just really working on transforming, um, getting my afterlife ready. So, um, uh, yeah, I've been doing a lot of acting classes.
Speaker 2:That's awesome. And we're going to talk about a little bit more about that. Um, so, so you got injured and then reassess and Adidas worked with you tremendously in terms of getting you back up and ju just about 2009. I think it was when you run at the Reebok grand Prix. And that's when people started to see that, yo, this is no joke. This is not someone who just run well, a champs, and then that's it. You, you really started to show your class, then you're on. Talk to me about that.
Speaker 3:Yeah, mine definitely. Um, I did, but before I get into that, let me say, um, of course you see it more came to me. I said, get ready, new to RD United school. You need to come and get us a fix. I need, tell me first time you tell me about a doctor that you went to in Germany. And of course, oftentimes you see you for that. And, um, after I get off after getting fixed, um, I wake back to that re um, rebroadcast again and decided, listen, I'm going to show my class. And, um, everybody come to message you on. This is the moment. This is the big stage everybody's here, all the directors, all the sponsors, whatever you want to do, just do it. And I just make up my mind and I talked to my mother, I'm a fire dancer, and I got to go there and do it for them.
Speaker 2:Yeah. I think he came up probably third behind Tyson and, uh, uh, Safa, uh, in, in that race. But after that, I lacked a lot, just started to happen in terms of the amount of work that you put in before I got to 2011 world championship Johann, talk to me about the kind of work that you put in everybody worldwide knows that Yohan Blake trains hard, uh, probably harder than anybody else, but, but help us to understand that kind of word that you put in, in training.
Speaker 4:Well, lots of people, some of my buddies under a lot of mileage, which, which they are, right? Because when there are you, the only way I said to myself, I could meet your scene is that when you're staying asleep, you'd have to get order afterwards twice, twice in the night, nine o'clock I'm at the gym. Um, um, after truly, and I'll be doing long running in the morning and in the evening to get my body open, to get my body strong. When they finish, once I have training, I'm doing an exercise at home and that's why I have to do a lot of people thinks I'm overworking. No, that's all, I'm going to get my results. When you say, take one step back and be taken to, so I to get that strength stronger to stay with that. And that's what's happening. Um, I just see, I don't want it to move to that, but that's what happened in 2012 when I get so close to my I'm beating my Charles. And that's the odd word that's after putting the checkoff theaters, I both odd work as a poor people's sports. You have to work. So we all talk back.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And I think a lot of people, and we're going to talk about that interview, that many people misunderstood, you know, your comment, what people don't understand that track and field is an individual sport. So even though you're in a camp, your ear must be to beat the next person. It doesn't matter who the next person is.
Speaker 4:Definitely your aim is to be that person, not nettle. You know, sometime you're going to be in that person, that, that person shadows for awhile. And you have to work yourself all that shuttle. So you can create your own shadow as well. So somebody can be in the airline and you want to step over that. So that's what I did. I created my shadow.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Uh, 2011. What are the biggest moments for you? And if somebody ever wonder, if you had mental toughness, that would have been when the point that you prove to a lot of people that you are strong and you, the big news was the first start of UC and ball tours. The favorite quote, unquote, in that event, you, you didn't care about that. Uh, Johann that far started half one, but you went back to the start in blocks and became the youngest world champion, um, over 100 meters. Uh, tell us about that feeling, how you managed to compose yourself and get to the finish line ahead of every single person in that final
Speaker 4:[inaudible] thing blasting maybe is that every championship you're seeing, you know, in coach Mitchell, that championship, he say, listen, you got to that to Gord area that to keep focusing, got to do this. And that's what I really love about him. He don't just be by himself, even do it. Yes. You want to release the mind on everything. He talked to you as a young man. No. What he always
Speaker 3:Say, okay, you got this, you can do it. And that's what I really love. And during that championship, it was like that. And in training, you'll see new. I was starting very fast. I don't know if that true. I don't know if that trigger anything on there, but that was very sudden by the fast start, because you want to run it in the best. You'll want it to be the best. But after, after I see you seeing more faster, I have to compose myself. And I said, I know no one else in this risk and beat me because I run with them all season and actually, okay. And I said, okay, what were you on? Geez. I said, I've got to do this for Jamaica. And you got to do this for yourself. And I just want myself to get, I said, listen, I want to sit in this block. I want, let them go. And then I will go because I know my tapping, I know Millstream me. And I was going to control it. And so said soda. And, and then wallah, all the doors were walked off walking.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And, and, and I think that then, uh, pushed the Johan Blake brand in, in, in a big way, because then we fast forward to 2012 trials here, uh, at, at the national stadium. Um, and what you did there and then, or the, the Olympics, um, in London, walk us through what that was now preparing for it. And, you know, just emotions and feeling going through those races.
Speaker 3:Hmm. Coming back in 2011 is when I also run the 1926, it was, um, it was crazy cause you seen was at the same need. And even now, um, the mood is open after our, um, across Atlanta, 19 2016, London, 2012, we're going to, I'm going to be this model. And so back in training, every day you come, you're, you're retraining, you're here because you know what you want to, you want me to work to get up? That's right. That's where, that's where I was young. And now you, you started me and all I'm saying he's ever some Mars runner, you know, so[inaudible] me, everybody. I learned my moons. And, and after he learned my move, um, he say, okay, my Jesus, I got to my trials. Then after I got to my trailers and about time, you see more fluid, the next day start training. And so when I come over, made him start cheering him ready for me, you know? So it was a good comradery with[inaudible] and everything. And, and, and every time you seen, um, in training to some, we attend me no matter what I'm doing, if I'm late and wait on me and I will do the same because you want to treat me based on that's, the only thing is I think I was too nervous and a bit naive because with my first big stage, I'm really been there on a chin, get the bit off.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Um, but, but, but, but it was also still a, uh, a good, um, games for your overall.
Speaker 3:Yeah, man, definitely. It was great games for me. It was agreed games.
Speaker 2:Let me just, before going to 20, et cetera, Johann, um, track and field can be such a brutal sport. Uh, the fans don't even know half of what goes into, into all of this. Um, you've talked about, you're seeing water, you've talked about Glen mills, all of these guys, but what you have been criticized, so criticizing, um, them quote, unquote, how do you manage criticism? Because Johan Blake gets a lot of criticism for many different reasons. How do you manage it? How do you stay focused? Um, Johann.
Speaker 3:Yeah, trust me. I, I, I do get a lot of criticism and I think it tells me it will be to be strong. You know, when you have somebody by your side every day and say, you only call, listen to that. Especially my girlfriend, Laura, you know, she'll always tell me, I can't listen to that are my friends, Jeremy, Jeremy, and them say, listen, you can't follow that. You have to stay focused. And, um, you know, and, and those, and to, to be Frank, and to be honest, you know, um, man coach mills, we did have an understanding and, and it just, I, it just did materialize. And I know those things say, Oh, from, from males, you love the sport. It wasn't just not attention. Wasn't there anymore. And I kind of stayed here. I, I want, I, I want to, I want to be better off myself and I want more, but I just think, say, Oh, ms.[inaudible] just attention. Wasn't there anymore. I just need to go somewhere else, you know? And, um, and that's what I did. And, and people think I'm wrong for doing that, does that? I believe some people can take it to a certain point. And after that, if it's not working, you can't stay there and just ruin yourself. Don't I love mills and everything that needs that grief as a great coach and everything, but sometimes you have to move on. And even though, um, what everybody's saying, you seem to say, um, um, I don't think you and I should leave. Um, but I did want to just not say anything bad or anything, but I just didn't want to, I look up to them so much. I just, I just say, I find somewhere to go and, and I'm happy.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And could it be because, you know, I mean, I've followed it in Jamaica and I wonder if people don't understand that athletes actually leave coaches or coaches leave athletes regularly, internationally, and even know we, we have, some of our top athletes were leaving their longterm coaches and going elsewhere. And so for you, then it really was about you wanting to make that change and push your career a little bit further based on where you were.
Speaker 3:Yeah, definitely. Um, I want to get better on the little sheet. You say, yo, I'm moving. W we get my major because I didn't feel that, um, the attention that I, that I, that I want, you know, and that I know[inaudible] the person understand me. And, um, right now it's working on a field, like I'm somewhere back to where I want to be. And I just, sorry, last year, didn't materialize. What I guess next year, every, if God's spirit or life or their favorite thing is going to be great. It's going to,
Speaker 2:I want to go back to 2013. That's where some of the interests started to happen, Johann. Um, and you have struggled with it. We, we have seen you really pull up on the truck. Um, we have seen the pain in your face, not being able to complete races. Uh, however you manage that. How have you managed those don't times because you spoke about Laura and some of your other friends, but however, you're really managed just to focus in, in what is a tough sport and what a sport that can really get away from you.
Speaker 3:Yeah. The author is so many times that, you know, I know about the challenge. I could go and get up and play cricket and, you know, let a lot of friends in acting. He will say you on, you can come over to anytime to start a career, even some Somali Rose. And I nodded at what, you know, I say, no, I still, I still, at some point to prove I still haven't got my individual gold medal on the Olympics. And that's what my team is. And during those injury, um, at first pool that I got into an eternity, um, it was very frustrating, you know, and, um, as I say, uh, I'm afraid I'm more mature and it was the first one. So I said to myself, listen, um, you can't come up from an en-suite here. And, um, I did, and I did, and I went to the world, the world release, and I wrote 19 fell on my leg. And I went up to today, still the fastest time ever to break that world record. And I said, okay, I'm coming back to my base. So I was feeling great. And, and, uh, and I've just got into that, that here. And that's where, that's where the serious injuries start. That's where the mind games start in 2014 after that summer, not such a big injury, but, um, uh, somebody's injury where relate to that big one in 214. Mm.
Speaker 2:And then we, we had the Olympics in real. I want to fast forward to that, um, 20, 60. And it wasn't what you wanted in terms of, uh, I've heard interviews where you wanted a little bit, obviously more from Rhea, walk us through, you know, what went through your mind there, how you cope with those, those conditions, you know, um, and what, what somebody listens to you took from it.
Speaker 3:I should have made a key import. Um, I should've made a trio. Um, I leave national trails in Jamaica, um, on, in nine 90. And to be honest, um, certainty that fast, um, what's happening to me. Um, I just, I get attention again. I just, the attention span, I never seen it when injured on people. Don't think you're coming back. I just, the focus is not there for you. You have to create that focus for yourself. Um, I think that the bit of me, and, um, when you're over there in a truck, the other time is not just you alone, it's just knew God. And your coach beside you in that lane talking to you and therefore you, and I feel like one team wasn't missing, I just didn't have that. And, um, I have to go down and mentally run in myself to some, to somewhat I think was, was what was credible. And if I feel like I run the bakeries in the really on the box search, then the hundred meter.
Speaker 2:Um, so I mean, I, I just listening to you, uh, Johann and getting a little bit more appreciation of, of the support system or the culture, otherwise, in terms of just getting you through all of this, and it kind of talk about how important it is to have that, that, that culture, that person giving you the attention that you need. Isn't it?
Speaker 3:Yeah. Not, not saying every day, but you need, you need that voice in your head. You need that person to be talking to you, Dean and deal with. So, listen, this is what you got to do with your comment this after of that person. And I said before, you have to have that, that key moment in that walking to your, um, to that toenail, getting yourself ready for that race. And it just didn't happen.
Speaker 2:Um, talk to me about Laura, um, and that role that she plays with just getting your going, you're put her on your social media a few times. So help my viewers and listeners to understand her role in your life. You want,
Speaker 3:I didn't know. You come on to her family where your father and mother still together, and you want, you want that connection. And of course, that's what I want. I don't want it to be, I'm a single, we are single parents are of a single mom. I don't want somebody that's going to support you and let other people take shape, or I'll be Jamaican ones, white girls, and all of that, what she's at Jamaican, you know, where he's just I'm to meet her. And she's a very nice girl. And I met her and our family because that first hard makes you bro, when our, our white does their sale, but she's a really nice girl and nothing's legal and all of that. And she's not, you know, it's the one thing when you, when, when you over the fence and not knowing what's going on inside, you know, and she just, she does support me. They, you know, deal with, um, lecture. Um, I'm not wasting my money and make sure I, um, I'm on the right pot and I'm just there for me in my corner and just support me wherever necessary, you know, where I'm lacking. Um, she, she, she touched up right there. I'm just, I'm just teach me along the way, you know?
Speaker 2:Yeah. Awesome. Tell us some more of the support people around you. I mean, we talk about Laura, we talk about Gregory, uh, help us to understand so many people who are, are trying to just keep your hand focus, uh, right there.
Speaker 3:Yeah, definitely. Um, I have my friend Jeremy and, um, always, always is run as well. Jeremy and Gail, and also, um, my manager QBC Gobi is from 2006 with, uh, my other manager Timor dispenser was there from 2006 again and Melissa or on my way, be afraid foundation. Um, so about, um, Laura, she's the rock and who has been keeping everything. I'm definitely my family, my mom and my dad and my little sister Damilia. Um, they are just, they have just been super, um, insight. And of course, uh, mr. Cara and miss a friend, I was just being amazing, you know,
Speaker 2:As your physical trainer and massage
Speaker 3:And massage therapist, um, is just, he's just all over man. And he's just making sure that everything, um, is working super. So that's my stuff. I just, I just really keep it very similar and not support, um, everything that I do,
Speaker 2:Obviously not fair on before, but, um, I think the first time he and I worked together with you, you probably Australia Commonwealth games, and that was starting to become, uh, I mean, you, you got our brands milliliter from Rimbaud. Well, both in the one on the four by a one if I remember. Um, but that was starting to become another year that's you were making that push again, um, after everything that was, that was happening.
Speaker 3:Yeah. And I said that again, the support, you know, you just go to a championship, not, not pull your condition and it was just rushed and definitely, you know, um, I've been fam Symbionese my burglary friend and the guy[inaudible] from South Africa in general, as well as the burglars, but with my collarbone, definitely I should have, um, gotten the goal. But, um, it, it just, as I said, that the condition is just my kind of shine on everything going into it just, you just was totally off. Yeah.
Speaker 2:And it was that early time it was April, 2018. Um, yeah, it was pretty early in terms of training what year.
Speaker 3:Yeah. But nevertheless, what you can agree, coach can get you ready for anything at any point, or is just only a conditioning and you know, you just, I just didn't condition the right way I wanted. Hmm.
Speaker 2:All right. So we're in 2020 Lisa your hand. I, I, I believe in you and then I'd say that just because you're here, you know, the authority, I think beyond talent, um, what are some of the lessons that you have taken from this year to move you into next year, or, you know, ho in terms of training, et cetera, how are you getting ready for that 20, 21 gold medal at the Olympic games?
Speaker 3:One thing I can tell anyone that, uh, are going to listen to this after this is that do not have one income. One income is next to poor. You try, try and not just use checkoff Hill only. And just add that one income, because everybody's still your, everybody crying. I have more than one income, put your money to different use. Um, 2020 really teaches me. It teaches a lot of person that teaches me that, uh,
Speaker 4:Which I didn't, but I know what to do because I see of a lot. And, um, it teach me it also, I was struggling because we didn't have it. When I point at the time we didn't have the check to use. I was at mountain spring every day, running up the Hill. So, um, Willie tell me to sh to bear a load of in the old I cleaned the OLS and see that is not easy. So when I see my elbow doing it after helper, because it's not easy and to see, and I'm learning and cooking and all of that, because we know you training, you don't want to grow in a fireside act to be doing that because the carbon, nobody knows because you don't want catches fire on. So it was a lot to unwell, to be honest, it is.
Speaker 2:Um, so we can expect a big year from you then. Um, next year I don't, if I ask how's the injury, um, right.
Speaker 4:I'm over that good. I'm all I'm over that. Um, there is no injury, um, right now is just some mood ceilings, and more, truly enough start by pre season training last week. So, um, I mean to fully flight for 2021 right now.
Speaker 2:Yeah. I've been competing for a long while. What, what advice would you have for young athletes, Johann coming up? Um, th th th the young Johan bleak, what would you say to him or her, um, you know, about track and field and just about life?
Speaker 4:Um, don't make wonderful. You, um, don't put too much girl on your egg man. Well, but to be honest, a lot of kids need school, get this bag of money and just follow it by the way, by the wayside right now. I don't think we have, we have good talent. I don't think they're coming up because, um, everybody just getting this bug ammonia from whatever sponsor unjust Galavant and just waste their time. And what I would say is that you can, you can, this cake is very big in Chicago. That's one thing you say and teach me, you can get your own and Delta, and I can testify today that, um, what have you gained from check-out field? I'm grateful. I can, I can live the rest of my life, knowing that over two, going to be great, because what I have accomplished and I'm bought into our time. And it's just the Bible. When you have different Kings or something, some Kings are scanned over troll and overturn. And if it's red, I certainly it's right here. I should be what I've gotten a lot and I'm not greedy. And I'm happy like in bad times. So a person might not to be greedy, which goes to go there and do their best, do what they can for us.
Speaker 2:You, you tweeted, um, earlier this year, well, in October, and I read it here. If you're reading this idea to dedicate the next six months to your goals slash dreams, no announcement, just fall back and do the work. And please remember your mind is a magnet. If you think of blessing, you attract blessing, a powerful treat. I thought Johann, um, what, what went into that?
Speaker 4:No. Do you know what went into that? I was sitting there and I was reflecting and all the mind draw such magnitude of blessing. Is that actually, don't I say, you know what? I want to play with it with cylinders. And I got the chance I to pull out and I played with everybody and I said to myself, you know, I want to do acting right away. I got, I got cast into our role, but I couldn't play with Danny with the IP[inaudible] and crunching tiger Micheli and underscored it because of the Olympics. I couldn't get up. Couldn't go and do my casting. I couldn't right now. I said to myself, listen, you know, I want, I want to go back into academia right away. Somebody messaged me on Instagram yarn. We have something coming up and then it triggers like Bruce Willis diehard. They're there. They're my all time. Definitely come true. And once what you think that I think about it, it happened and that's all you're going to jump.[inaudible] negative. It will come. And that's what I sit on it. Just content and just start typing.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And another thing I want to point out, I want you to talk to us about your phone Dijon. I know Melyssa, um, McKintosh if I remember, does I love to work near Barrington Mitchell donor, if you know this fellow, um, he said, right, he said at a CVSs media launch in 2018, when I met him and I'll quote, ever since mr. Yuan Blake's web be afraid foundation started working with the moat elevate boys home, which you have been doing. I've been wanting to become an athlete. Thanks to mr. Newman, who was able to negotiate with Johann and the Webby afraid foundation to have me started training with the recess truck club. You are not already been doing a lot of work with the home, uh, through CVSs games, et cetera. I've been able to showcase my talent. And when I talked to them off ear Johan, he had a lot of praise for you. And the work that you're doing, um, with the[inaudible] boys home, which, for persons who don't know is our boys home in, in Jamaica. Tell us about your foundation, Johann and the work that you been doing. That a lot of people probably don't even see.
Speaker 4:Yeah. Um, my enough, not, not sure enough. Um, everything would rhino Delta, we're building a big facility that going to is this, listen, this is the only one in the Caribbean with multiple facilities. Um, most of the dorms, um, that's where it right now, the COVID has. So we, because it should have be launched in October, cutting the ribbon and everything. And these are global homes that the government naturally taking care of them. And I'm building up that one in Monday, but which I'm building right now, one in Montego Bay and the one in st. Mary, um, two girls or, um, one[inaudible]. So that's what we're working on right now. Some big things come in this weekend until everything kind of combo. And then we make our big push, but I'm doing some greetings, also finding jobs for when you reach 18 to go overseas and study. Because right now we are borrowing time frame in France studying right now. So we just, if you're willing to do good in school with me and my sponsors, Adidas, I recharge me put to get on with, send them overseas.
Speaker 2:Why are you on, why, why, why do you do this? I mean, I'm on can easily save.[inaudible] what motivates you to give back, um, to PR I would even just say the less fortunate, what boys Hallman and, and kids who need this kind of support.
Speaker 4:We are, we're young ones and they're the future. If we don't take care of the future, we're going to be in jeopardy, um, the next 20 to 40 years, because everybody will go home and people feeling, and those are the future. And I was once like that person, nobody that thinks on that come to me, the second fastest man in the world, I used to run up. I know I said big money. I used to with, I used to sell a bottle and it probably the next person to clip me. I say, that's reaching to nowhere. What give them the opportunity to get there. If you, a lot of kids with, we find in cave, we find on street, we're finding the street, I'll bringing them into the homes. And, um, I've worked in the age being rape and abuse. And for, um, I'm here to serve God, put me in there to serve on that's what I'm doing. I'm not here for the love and the likes, I'm the Sierra to serve and just help the next person. They can do the same
Speaker 2:Kudos to you, uh, the foundation or the people working in the foundation, your sponsors, your management team for doing something that this Johan, because there aren't a lot of people who are giving back and some people are giving buckets, not, I mean, every, every give back is good, but it depends on the reason and big up to your, when I met Barrington and I just had a chat with him at the university of the West end, is your stay in there, um, while training and just listening to him in terms of the impact that, that the foundation has made on, on the boys home and the other boys were there, you know, um, he, he was, he was really thankful, um, to you and the foundation. So, so keep doing that. My brother, um, keep working on that next five years. I know we have, you have said, you know, the Olympics is next year at world championship 2022. Hopefully you're, you're looking at two years after that. Well, the year after that I think is Oregon. Um, talk to us about the next three years. What are the things we, we should expect from Johan Blake, the acting, the cricket? What else? Let us know.
Speaker 3:As I said, as I said on the table, I have a lot of, I'll have a lot of things on the table right now, Nigeria. I know they are in the of problem. I know what I have our contract there to go down there. And the motivational speaking, I'm not just only cricket. They're going to play in India, but are going to tour India to find the next fastest man in India. So, um, in there want to come combine and do that. And as a syllabus of our contract on the table, for someone said cricket in, in London and also K sports BBC, uh, it's uh, it's a lot on the table. And also right now, I'm working on the UN big recover center that is going up in Jamaica very soon. So that is coming to help kids to recover. And also, you know, like our kids are suffering in the school too. I know, right. I mean, so we're working on drip for them, so they can come get injured before chunks and, and just go there and perform. So there is a lack of working on, um, under the covers right now.
Speaker 2:Mm, no, that, that is really good. Um, I know the discussion surrounding, um, you're seeing bolt the comments there. I've watched video clips. So you said, well, you know, you, you know, my in discussing this with him, how much has this trained your relationship with UC and on reflection, do you still stand by your statements and believe there's, there's a lot more that could have been done for you and also, you know, that this wasn't necessarily an attack on, or you seen or anything on meals, et cetera.
Speaker 3:Yeah. I don't mind talking about what you've done, um, differently. Um, what I said, you know, um, uh, bullets, you will be in overshadowed. Um, it's not like if Dalton, if you, if you would, I'm playing Indians and make 53rd, good. Everybody that's cracking or me come, no, I make all hundred and 5,250 is no more. Nobody's not going to talk about your, Oh, that that 200 was my 50 was magnificent. That's all I'm saying that 250 would stand out 9.58 versus 9.69, 9.58 is, is a non-human on that going to be different. And you're out of love for this guy. Um, you're saying he is different. They teach me a lot so much, um, that down to know our relationship to the certainly new, the fact that if I see my mural, we just pass each other are what I would not. I only even knew that I would have to go up to him, you know? And you would say, I'd say hi, even if we don't say I back, you know, because that's the love that we are for each other, you know? And that's the love that high out for him because that's not going to light me in my pot, CommInsure truck and field. And a lot of people probably get it wrong, but today they are still open mind, whatever up ends up in, you know? But, um, I don't know what the hell, you know?
Speaker 2:Yeah. That's all the way. Have you ever sat down and said general med a second fastest month in the world over 100 and 200, You see, in some human times we talk about what the third is like, I am the second fastest man I've ever sat know and, and, you know, reflect on that.
Speaker 3:Meantime, I sit on that crate because when endocrine so much people in the world told me,[inaudible], you know, I'm just, I just need to sit down and Sophos money. And of course, so many times when I cried so many times,
Speaker 2:Yeah, no, well, I came around half as fast as you saw. And if everyone 12 seconds, no, I'm pretty excited about it. Much less, much less nine. How have we seen the best of Johan Blake on the truck?
Speaker 3:I don't one thing that I've seen the best of me normally, when you started to peak is between 20 and 30. I still, I still have a lot to do. And I'm just finishing it with the times I'm running in training ensures that things are, um, things are, are looking, not good, what group.
Speaker 2:So you're saying to me that we can expect some fast time, certainly over the next year.
Speaker 3:Um, and the things, the things that have been killing me, I don't have anyone to train with when I was training with you. Same with Daniel Bailey. Um, all those guys were pushing each other in training. When you have that, that, that, that group I'm pushing each other, you're going to run faster from you saying you've. I just, it's nothing like that in a more, you don't have, I just don't want to be the person to push me in training or anything to, to go fast, come on a person in training. I just don't have that. And just me alone, I'm there we'll season in London three. And by myself, that, that don't help you need competitive training. And that's what I did now. But right now I'm in my camp out of means. And trust me, we are going to see a big surprise from Josie with Murphy that Greg we've taken under his wings where no, I mean, it's going to run fast next year. That's what I have to, I like to you. We'll see. And I tell her this first and also I can believe as well.
Speaker 2:Oh. So, um, so we would, with some of those, um, we, we should, you should be able to get some push, uh, interpreting training.
Speaker 3:Definitely. I know. So we have a guy Alex from Switzerland coming over, try and reduce. Right? I know. So we have a Purdue, um, B group that we're working with on it. It's crazy. It's going good.
Speaker 2:It is. Is there any youngster that you you're looking at all their, uh, Johann to say, now you be able to do that. That's an ex um, your unbelief, uh, coming up,
Speaker 4:Some guys like oblique Seville, um, he's a, he's a wonderful talent, you know, and I just hope you can control. And as I said before, I have this guy named Archean Blake and are allowing my guy named jet that is commune shoulder ranks as well. You don't know about them yet, but they are 18 and 19 and they're, um, and we're working on them. Um, they win champs 100 meter a couple of times. And, um, you know, Christopher Taylor is our way. I don't know what's going on as yet. Um, Michael is Michael Steven. He's, he's a talent as well as Teresa and are awfully, definitely equally to be in if mills find his purpose. Again, definitely it will be a different machine because news is that are a scorch.
Speaker 2:Yeah. In closing your hand, anything you have to say to all your fans out there who are wondering, um, about your own Blake, what, what, what do you have to say to the funds out there?
Speaker 4:Just keep supporting, um, bear with me. The only teachers couple of months away, probably almost a year, but, um, I definitely, um, definitely will be something to Samira both again, before I leave the sports on a mixer, things will be different. Just don't appoint me. Don't just keep fighting for me.
Speaker 2:Yeah. All right. Thank you. Thank you very much. Um, Johann Blake Johann is second fastest man, over 100 and 200 meters, some soups per times. He's the youngest ever world championship gold medalist, uh, in the 100 meters. Um, absolutely great talent. And I've said it many times. I think sometime we need to get, need to understand our athletes and talk with them a little bit more and understand some of the things that they go through a track and field check on feed is a brutal sport, and we have to encourage them as much as possible. You and Blake. Thank you very much as usual, man.
Speaker 5:Cheers.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Thanks again to Johann. Really, really cool, dude. All right. So we have a new segment called podcast speak. So today I'm going to recommend a book that you can read, uh, from my Caribbean author and to be am recommend in Jamaica is in sport tourism, uh, by my good friend, Carl Beckford, of course I have nothing to do with the book. I just thought that there could be, uh, each episode is there's some kind of a Caribbean content that, that we share here. So again, uh, here is, there's a book by Caroll Beckford sock. You can feel free to check that out. All right. So on behalf of the entire production team, thanks for joining us on this episode of the Dreyfus podcast. Let us know what you would think about the episode. Um, any aspect of the episode, just McQueen or leave feedback on Apple podcasts or YouTube channel. Uh, of course, please subscribe to our channel and click the notification bell. Uh, check out our website. Our website has been great. People have been going there as the drive fees.com. Make sure to subscribe to the show on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, or Stitcher. So you'll never miss an episode. Remember we love ratings. It really helps us all to, so we'd appreciate a rating on iTunes or upper podcast or any podcasts that you use. And always go tell a friend about the show survey too. Can spread the word, feel free to send feedback comments, or look us up on Twitter, Facebook, uh, Instagram, and we're the drive fee is draft is G E on Twitter drive fees everywhere else, and use the hashtag TDP until next time. See you then.