'Motherhood Elevates Us' - Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce on Family, Sprinting, and Inspiring the Next Generation

Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce discussed her journey from humble beginnings to global stardom, her commitment to empowering Jamaica's youth, and how motherhood fortified her champion's mindset in a recent conversation with the International Finance Corporation.

Though she may have taken her final bow at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, the influence of the eight-time Olympic medallist and five-time 100m world champion continues to resonate.

In a recent podcast, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce reflected on her ascent from Kingston's tenement yards to the pinnacle of world sprinting and her mission to ‘pass the baton’ to the next generation.

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The sprinter spoke candidly about the community support that fueled her career, the responsibility she feels to repay that investment through her Pocket Rocket Foundation, and the profound changes she experienced after becoming a mother.

"Success is not just for us, it is for those who we inspire," she stated as quoted by Olympics.com. "I want the next generation of student-athletes here in Jamaica to get an opportunity to not worry about the books, tuition, food."

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce began by sharing a frank account of her childhood in a Jamaican tenement yard, a life defined by close family ties but also by scarcity and limited opportunities.

Her mother, a former high school sprinter herself, recognised her daughter's gift, but encouragement alone was not enough. "You hear it, but the reality is you are not seeing the dream around you," Fraser-Pryce explained.

The Jamaican sprint queen’s path changed when a network of women from the Wolmer's Old Girls Association saw her potential. They provided her uniforms, books, and meals, removing the daily obstacles that often derail talented young athletes.

"You can imagine for a young girl like me struggling with identity, struggling with self-esteem, struggling with so many things. It was hard," she recalled. It was then she realised that track would be her "vehicle to the next level."

This early support system became the blueprint for her own Pocket Rocket Foundation, which she describes as "a ladder for the next generation."

"We have the talent here in Jamaica. It is about making sure you have the right tools to get to the next level," she added.

"It involves hard work and the right support. The only person who can guarantee that success is the work that you do. Let the work that you do be your strength."

The conversation also explored Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's remarkable return to elite competition after the birth of her son, Zion.

"You don’t hear about women returning to high-level sprinting after having a baby, let alone turning 30," she noted.

While doubts about her comeback were widespread, her self-belief never wavered. "I understood the importance of forging your own destiny and tapping into your own strength."

Her return was a gruelling process. She resumed training just 11 weeks after a C-section, meticulously rebuilding her body and technique.

She refers to this period as her "planting season," a time that demanded immense patience and faith in a future harvest.

That harvest eventually came, cementing her legacy not only as one of history's greatest sprinters but also as an inspiration to mothers everywhere.

As she once said, "Motherhood doesn’t stop you from achieving your dreams... Motherhood does not diminish us. It elevates us."

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a decorated sprinter with numerous global medals, has redefined what is possible for female athletes, proving that a competitive career can extend well beyond traditional expectations. She credits motherhood with providing a new level of motivation and perspective.

"Motherhood does not diminish us. It elevates us," Fraser-Pryce explained. "It allows us to think better, to understand that we have someone looking up to us, someone who will inspire us, and we will lead by our inspiration."

She specifically points to her son, Zion, as a driving force behind her continued success on the track. "Zion Pryce helped me to do what I needed to do," she said. "By that, he would be inspired knowing that mommy did everything she could because of me."

Beyond her athletic achievements, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has also embraced entrepreneurship, launching her hair care line, Afimi, in early 2025.

The brand, which features shampoos, conditioners, and styling products made from natural ingredients, is a celebration of her Jamaican heritage and personal passion for hair.