Talitha Diggs has revealed why transitioning to a proffessional athlete was hadder than graduating with top honors.
American rising track star Talitha Diggs has revealed that her transition to professional athletics was significantly more challenging than graduating with top honors from college.
Despite the demanding academic journey that saw her excel in her studies, Diggs confessed that stepping into the professional track and field world presented unforeseen hurdles.
Diggs, who graduated from the University of Florida in December 2024, earned dual degrees in International Studies and Political Science, along with a minor in Asian Studies.
She achieved the prestigious summa cum laude distinction, boasting an impressive 3.89 GPA.
American promising 400m star Talitha Diggs has explained how Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s 400mH rival Femke Bol subjected her to the harsh realities of competing at the highest level.
However, despite this outstanding academic achievement, Diggs candidly admitted that turning professional as an athlete was a far greater challenge.
During a recent episode of the Ready Set Go podcast, hosted by retired American sprinting legend Justin Gatlin and co-host Rodney Greene, Diggs was asked to reflect on her transition from collegiate success to the professional circuit.
“It seems like you found your rhythm and flow on the professional side, especially leading into turning pro. Reflecting on that transition, which did you find more challenging, graduating summa cum laude or going pro?” Gatlin inquired.
Without hesitation, Diggs responded, “Turning pro—absolutely turning pro. Graduating summa was tough, no doubt. I had to write a 20-page research paper, go through the grading process, and await approval. It was a lot of work, but turning pro was on an entirely different level.”
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She went on to elaborate on the difficulties she faced in her first year as a professional athlete.
“I had this vision in my head that, because I’d made every team since I was 19, things would just fall into place. I thought I’d keep training hard, stay focused, and it would all work out,” she said.
“But turning pro wasn’t at all what I expected. I planned meticulously—everything from having a massage therapist to managing my schedule. Even though I felt I did everything I could, things still didn’t go as planned.”
One of the most frustrating aspects for Diggs was the gap between her training performance and her competition results.
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“I was physically stronger, faster, and performing better in practice, but it didn’t translate to the track. That was tough because competing is something I usually thrive on—it’s the part I love the most. But transitioning into the pro circuit came with challenges I hadn’t anticipated.”
Diggs’ experience highlights the often-overlooked difficulties athletes face when shifting from collegiate competition to the professional stage.
While academic excellence required discipline and perseverance, professional athletics demanded an entirely new level of mental and physical adaptation
