Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s agent Sekou Clarke has opened up on how his client’s recovery process has made her unstoppable in the 400m hurdles.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the Olympics 400m hurdles champion, is not just a master of her craft on the track but also a pioneer when it comes to recovery.
Her agent, Sekou Clarke, recently opened up about her unique approach to recovery and its critical role in her dominance.
Speaking on Justin Gatlin’s Ready Set Go podcast, Clarke highlighted the rigorous routine McLaughlin-Levrone follows to stay ahead of her competition. According to him, her recovery process is nothing short of extraordinary.
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“Even on this side now as an agent working with the best in the world, I watch how they train and recover (and it amazes me),” Clarke said. “I remember looking at Sydney. Her recovery process day-to-day is like four hours long.”
This meticulous attention to recovery is one of the key reasons why McLaughlin-Levrone remains at the pinnacle of the sport.
On the track, she combines raw speed and stamina, spending four to five days a week alternating between speed-focused and endurance-based training. Off the track, her recovery routine is equally intense, ensuring her body remains in peak condition.
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Importance of recovery in elite athletics
Clarke, a former athlete himself and the founder of Auctus Global Sports—which also represents Olympic 200m silver medalist Kenny Bednarek—emphasized how critical recovery is for athletes striving to compete at the highest level.
Reflecting on his own experiences, he drew parallels between McLaughlin-Levrone’s methods and those of retired sprint legend Justin Gatlin.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s intense focus on both training and recovery is unparalleled. At competitions, she exudes a stoic demeanor, avoiding the distractions of the cameras and crowd. Instead, she channels all her energy into the race ahead.
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Gatlin, who won gold in the 100m at the 2004 Olympics and amassed a staggering five Olympic medals and 12 World Championship medals during his illustrious career, serves as a blueprint for such dedication.
Despite competing in an era dominated by Usain Bolt, Gatlin managed to stay at the top, thanks in large part to his legendary recovery routine.
“The first time I really saw an elite level recovery was Justin,” Clarke revealed. “I went over to Justin’s house for the Super Bowl one year. We were watching the game, and I was seeing Justin stretching and rubbing the whole time, and I was like, ‘Yo, this man is locked in on the next level!’”
For Gatlin, recovery wasn’t just a complementary part of his training—it was an integral part of his success.
Clarke noted, “I would work with other athletes who had high-level PRs, but they had to work, and in my mind, I was like, ‘How will you beat someone recovering and working full time?’ The math does not really work, but I applaud those who actually did it.”
