LASHINDA DEMUS

MOTHER OF TWINS AMERICAN RECORD HOLDER

2012 OLYMPIC SILVER MEDALIST

The Mother of All OLYMPIC Dreams

Team USA’s LASHINDA DEMUS, 2012 Olympic Silver Medalist and American record holder, is a track superstar phenomenon born in Southern California. At the age of two, LASHINDA’s mother introduced her to the track, not realizing that her admiration for running would eventually lead her to a #1 world ranking in the 400 meter hurdles. In 2004, LASHINDA turned professional after competing in the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. Following the games, she earned the first of two national titles in the 400 meter hurdles (2005).

In the latter part of 2006, the world’s top ranked hurdler revved up for the family life. After marriage, and pregnancy 5’7 LASHINDA gained more than 50 pounds. LASHINDA successfully delivered twin boys in June 2007 and astonishingly was back in training just weeks later collectively regaining her health and strength to recapture her #1 status.

LASHINDA’s return wasn’t an easy transition, and there were many setbacks. For the better part of a year, LASHINDA struggled with Post-Partum depression, something that affects nearly 13% of pregnant women and new mothers according to government statistics.

Only 6 weeks after birth, LASHINDA’s mother, her coach and a former NCAA champion, helped bridge the gap, and a few months later, the four time world champion was working out at an elite level just in time to compete at the 2008 Olympic trials. She led for most of the race but slowly faded to fourth missing the Olympic 400 meter hurdle team by .14 seconds. This loss only increased her drive to succeed.

      “I see myself winning. Every time I envision running, I see myself winning”

In the 2009 season, LASHINDA lit up Europe running world leading times in four out of seven races. She set world best times in Monaco, London and Crete, Greece. LASHINDA posted the then fourth-fastest time ever when she blistered the track with a personal best of 52.63 (beat the 2008 Olympic Champion at the time). A month later LASHINDA went under 53 seconds after a flawed race in the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, running a time of 52.96s for the silver medal (also 11th fastest time in history) and securing Gold in the 1600 meter relay.

With much enthusiasm and focus to succeed, LASHINDA secured the women’s 400m hurdles world title and the American record during the 2011 world championships in Daegu, Korea. LASHINDA ran the fastest 400 meter hurdle time that year, setting a new world best (52.47) to defeat defending champion Melanie Walker of Jamaica . LASHINDA’S time was the third fastest ever, and breaking the 16 year old American record established her as one of the favorites in the 2012 Olympics.

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“I want to leave a legacy for my kids, something they can look back at and not have an excuse to do whatever they want to do and take the easy way out. You can't beat hard work”

Although LASHINDA is best known as the world’s top-ranked 400-meter hurdler and one of the greatest female hurdlers in history – the spotlight at the 2012 Olympics was shared by her 5-year-old twin boys, Duaine and Dontae, whom she nicknamed the “twindigs.” Throughout the Games, her children were her biggest cheerleaders, screaming “GO MOMMY” from the stands.

Before her finals, NBC aired a segment where LASHINDA spoke candidly about how she dealt with depression after the birth of her sons. Like many working mothers, LASHINDA had to find a positively connected lifestyle as she struggled with balancing her career and family.

It was LASHINDA’S sons that inspired her to train again. More determined than ever, LASHINDA is preparing for the 2016 Olympics. She is most definitely a triple threat and continues to redefine the role of women athletes as mothers

Personal Data     Hometown:  Los  Angeles,  CA      

 29 – year old wife and mother of 5-year-old twin boys Duaine and Dontae

  Won Silver medal in Women’s 400-meter in 2012 Olympics

  Won Gold medal at the 2011 World championships

  Set American record of 52.47 in 2011

  4x World Champion

  Unexpected pregnancy kept her from the 2008 Olympics

  Battled difficult pregnancy and post-partum depression

  Demus’ mother, Yolanda, was a NCAA 400m champion at Cal State LA and is also her coach.

  Best hurdler in the history of American track and field

  Alignment with one of the Nation’s best female athletes.    

IN THE MEDIA

FITNESS.COM  

CELEB BABY SCOOP  

Sports Illustrated Kids  

US Weekly

Twins Magazine  

ESPN-W  

PARENTS.COM  

Sister to Sister Magazine  

YAHOO SPORTS  

LA TIMES  

WASHINGTON POST  

RACHAELRAY.COM  

BRAND PARNTERSHIPS

CONTACT:  ASHLEY  ANSTICE  |  ASHLEY@PUREPERCEPTIONPR.COM  |  310.691.3069