Today we’d like to introduce you to Cortney Jones
Hi Cortney, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have been a track and field athlete since the 7th grade. During my high school career, I became a 5x state champion and received a full ride to Florida State University. I graduate high school early in December of 2016 to attend FSU in January of 2017 at just 17 years old. During my time at Florida State University, I accomplished many things on the track. I became a 7x NCAA All American, 3x NCAA bronze medalist, 2x school record holder, ACC champion, and U20 World Bronze Medalist. In 2019, I decided to enter the transfer portal and switch schools after falling into a depression. In August of 2019, I transferred to Arizona State University, where I became the second-fastest athlete in school history. During my time at ASU, I founded the Black Student Athlete Association as well as a multicultural group, SunDevils United following George Floyd’s murder. I also implemented the Devils to Devils peer mental health program, which allows athletes to gain a toolkit in order to help their peers in times of mental need.
Following my graduation at Arizona State, I thought I was going to retire from the sport and just recently decided to come back in 2023. During my first professional season, I have made the final of every World Indoor Tour meet and ran a season’s best following a broken foot in the indoor season. I look forward to see how far I will go in the sport with continued hard work and dedication.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely Not. It has not been a smooth road whatsoever. Since I have been diagnosed with bipolar, depression, and anxiety in 2019, I have had to learn how to handle certain situations differently. Having a “bad” mental day can really ruin the work that you put in at practice and make it hard to show up…
Throughout my entire career, I have had two knee surgeries, a shoulder surgery, 3 back procedures, a broken foot, a torn hamstring, and much more. These injuries do no make the road to recovery easy in the slightest but it gives me a sense of strength as I know I have endured worse.
Being an unsponsored track and field athlete, it is very hard to organize and financially support yourself within this sport. All doctor’s appointments, treatments , chiropractic sessions, massage sessions, and domestic travel come personally from my pocket. I do not have a sponsor to help with this and it makes it difficult to be the best athlete you can be when you have to worry about deciding between getting worked on and getting groceries.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Outside of being a professional track and field athlete, I work from home as a research administrator at Emory University for the School of Public Health and Nursing. Essentially, I submit and manage awards to different government entities for doctors within the Global health department in order get funded. I have been in this role for a little over 2 years.
I love being around family and friends. This month makes my first year back in Atlanta in over 6 years and I am so grateful to spend time with my loved ones. I am most proud of how far I have come in my life. There could have been a lot of times when I could have given up but I serve a mighty God and I am so blessed to be where I am today.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I have learned the importance of being present and being patient. During the covid-19 crisis when everything was shut down, I finally had the chance to SLOW down and really focus on the things that bring me joy in life. I think as a society, we are always moving to what’s next instead of enjoying the present and what we have in front of us.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_brvel/?hl=en
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@cortneyjonesruns
Image Credits
@inthecitymagazine (orange outfit, black and white portraits)
@brycefrance (black and white Nike photo)
@dwightjamesiii (maroon outfit)
