'If You Don't Have Haters, Something Is Missing' – Sha'Carri Richardson on Turning Criticism Into Motivation

In a candid conversation with tennis icons Venus and Serena Williams on the Stockton Street podcast, Sha’Carri Richardson opened up about her evolution on and off the track, famously declaring life as a rollercoaster but the best ride to be on.

Before the start of the women’s 100m final at the 2023 US track and field championships, Sha’Carri Richardson made a statement without saying a word.

As the camera focused on her lane, she reached up, removed her bright orange wig, and tossed it aside. Moments later, she blazed across the finish line in 10.84 seconds to become the nation's fastest woman, her newly revealed braids trailing behind her.

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Sha’Carri Richardson recently clarified that the moment was far more profound. "It was a transformation," she explained.

"It was me, my representation of a transformation in front of the world. I was just like, you know, this is me. I am back. No, I’m not back because I’m still me. But I am better."

Just weeks after that national title, she captured her first 100m world championship gold in Budapest. While her journey since has had its challenges, the former NCAA standout continues to grow, both as an athlete and an individual.

With over 4.1 million Instagram followers, Sha’Carri Richardson's star power is undeniable. However, her rise has been accompanied by a chorus of critics. When asked by the Williams sisters how she handles negative comments, her response was clear.

"I use it as motivation," she stated. "I’ve gotten to the point where if you don’t have haters, something’s missing."

This ability to channel criticism into inspiration is rooted in a deep-seated confidence that some have misinterpreted. "I feel like people mistake confidence as cockiness, you know?" Richardson acknowledged.

Sha’Carri Richardson explained that her self-belief is a necessary tool for survival in the high-stakes world of elite sports.

"It gets down to those moments where it’s not the crowd, it’s not your coach, it’s just you by yourself," she said.

"Who’s going to pour into you? It has to be you that feeds you the same way that it’s you that’s your biggest critic."

Like many high-profile athletes, the 25-year-old from Dallas has grappled with the pressures of life in the public eye. She spoke openly with the Williams sisters about her ongoing mental health journey as one of the world's most recognisable sportswomen.

"There’s never a finish line, it’s ironic me saying that," she reflected. "Particularly for us, being in front of the world when it comes to our lives, we have to be very mindful of what state of mind we're in."

Sha’Carri Richardson described her mental health as a path she is navigating as she goes. "I’m learning that life is forever a rollercoaster, but it’s still the best ride to be on."

At the moment, Sha’Carri Richardson is focused on the home Olympics at LA28, where she has plenty of professional goals to pursue.

However, as she continues her transformation, getting better, not just coming back, she is also focused on her impact as a role model for the next generation.