Anyika Onuora
What does it mean to be a “success”? To some, it means wealth, accolades, and notoriety; to others it means peace and tranquility. Success is defined by the one pursuing it. I believe it is salient that we associate success with humanity. To be successful is to live despite. To be successful is to re-set. To be successful is to look upward and be filled with peace, even if tomorrow is uncertain. While I have been graced with the privilege of coming across amazing people, it is important to me that I don’t unintentionally strip them of their humanity. Before a person is labeled an inspiration, they are human beings with needs, feelings, and idiosyncrasies that should be treated with care and a spirit of gentleness. Who are we beyond our successes and level of influence? Does this goalpost move once we reach a said goal? Does the “next big thing” turn into the “right now” when we change perspective? Some would say perspective changes when you face your toughest battles, I say it changes when you can applaud yourself for being committed to love and living despite the battle. I was given the opportunity of sitting down with someone special who can answer all of our many questions with grace and clarity. Anyika Onuora is one of the best athletes we've ever come across. She is a retired 400m sprinter having won medals at the Olympic games; world championships, commonwealth games, and European championships. Anyika’s career in sports will be studied for years to come, and so will the journey that lead her to that point. In June of 2022, Anyika released her riveting autobiography “My Hidden Race” which tells a beautiful story of Anyika’s life. We touched base on “My Hidden Race” and so much more in this interview, keep reading so you too can have a newfound appreciation for your hidden race.
To many worldwide myself included, you are an inspiration, to yourself you are?
I’m a collector of things. I am multi-talented; Black, British, Nigerian, motivated and badass. I am someone who is looking for nothing more than to live a life of softness.
You are one of the best athletes the world has been graced with, does that come with added pressure, and if so how do you deal with it?
With the pressure and expectation that comes with that responsibility, you have to learn to see it as a privilege. In the beginning, I must say I didn’t see it as a “privilege”. What would you rather be, an average athlete who’s not making teams and getting eliminated in the first round, or on teams on the world stage with outside expectations of winning gold or medal with the relay team? When I expected to medal with the relay team, I thoroughly enjoyed it because it meant that every country is coming for me as a team, and everyone is coming for me as an individual. For me, that meant I was doing something right because you have everyone noticing your talents and capabilities. At times, the pressure wasn’t always great. I struggled to deal with the pressure in the early years of my career, but later on, it became a privilege.
How do you deal with the “strong” trope placed upon Black women?
The word strong used to have a negative connotation for me in the sporting world context. The focus of “strength” shifted for me in the middle of my career towards the end. For so long the connotation of a Black woman being “strong” became a belief system for me unintentionally. Oftentimes I was asked “could you carry this person?”, or “help this person?”, after all, “you’re the strong one”. It became an expectation, and no one would take the time out and ask “How are you?” or “Do you need help?” The stress wasn’t alleviated and the load wasn’t equally distributed. I was never given the opportunity because I didn’t realize that my willingness to help meant that people would take advantage of that. Because of that, people may assume whether it’s subconsciously or intentionally to place more on you than you can handle. I was never given the chance to breathe, and I had to unlearn personalizing the outward assumption(s) that were placed upon me. This was something that became easier to do once I retired from sports. I now use the word “strong” less, because as Black women we have always been expected to be, and I am sick and tired of it.
What was the process of writing your book “My Hidden Race”?
It was an incredible journey. When I retired from sports in 2019, the opportunity to write this book came about when I spoke to a journalist, and dear friend of mine. He was able to unpack a great deal of information about me in a way that felt like “therapy”. He said “once you’re retired, we need to sit down and think about you writing a book.” He believed there was more to my life that hadn’t been told, and got the sense that there was a lot more than what met the surface. Two years after that pivotal conversation, we met up, did a breakdown of the way the story should be told, and the rest is history.
Are you proud of yourself?
I am now, but I used to suffer from imposter syndrome. It was challenging being a world-class athlete and winning something and being told after “that’s good, but let’s work towards the next race”. For a few years in my career, it consisted of situations similar to that which made it hard to “sit still” and be grateful for the journey and where I was.
Is there a goalpost in your life, and if so does it move?
I’m never content, but I am always grateful. My perspective has everything to do with the response to my book. I think of a global scale as it pertains to my book and life.
What brings you joy?
Self care, peace, and rest. Rest for me consists of Netflix, spa days, and connecting with family and friends.
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https://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Hidden-Race-Anyika-Onuora/dp/1913406792
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