Rochelle Stevens has been running most of her life – not
from something or someone, but toward a goal that eventually materialized at the
1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ga., where she won a goal medal in track
and field and a silver medal in the same event at the 1992 Olympics in
Barcelona, Spain.
Add to that Stevens’ “drive to strive,” the challenges she
faced while pursuing her Olympic dream, the perceptions about success in track
and field, and you’ll get the entrepreneur and philanthropist who has written
about her journey in a recently self-published book entitled “Travel the World
by Foot.”
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| Rochelle Stevens |
“I didn’t realize
that my dream would take me all over the world,” said Stevens, who decided to
write about her Olympic experience and travels to over 50 countries after
returning from a Christian conference in San Diego,
Calif., that was hosted
by Michael Dean "Mike" Murdock, a
contemporary Christian singer/songwriter, televangelist and pastor.
“I was motivated by his presentation,” said Stevens, who was
compelled to capture her historic journey in print for posterity. “I felt that
I needed to share my Olympic experience, knowledge and wisdom with young people
who aspire to become athletes as well.”
On less than 100 pages under 15 chapters, Stevens rolls out her
life story, which she juxtaposes with photos at the onset of her career, photos
of the races she competed in, photos after she medaled, and photos of her
community service. The book is essentially a documentary in words and photos.
“I wanted to share
the challenges and perceptions and the pre-judgment that go along with it
(being an Olympian),” Stevens said. “People automatically assume that sometimes
you don’t have to work as hard to accomplish your goals.”
Nothing comes easy in life without working hard at it, added
Stevens, who first blazed a path in track and field at Melrose High School, her
alma mater, and then at Morgan State University while she was on a full track
scholarship.
At Morgan State, Stevens earned a B.S.
degree in telecommunications and sales and then went on to receive an M.S.
degree in public relations from Columbus University. She is shy of finishing
the requirements for a doctorate.
There is tidbit information
in the book about each country Stevens has traveled and other information that
some people may not be familiar with, such as the group she called her dream
team, which consisted of her training partners, sports agent, weightlifting
coach, and even the two women who manicured her nails.
Although a team was taut, someone
was there at every turn to help prepare Stevens to cross the finish line. That
someone was Beatrice Holloway, a.k.a “Coach Mom,” who had been a college track
star.
“It’s important to have your own support team,” said Stevens.
“It takes more than one person to help some dreams come true. You need to find
that mentor or role model that you want to be like. And then you find people
who have the same interest you have that can help you to pursue your dream.”
Stevens is a role model and mentor to many young, aspiring
athletes looking for a pathway to success. Shortly after hanging up her running
shoes, Stevens started hosting the Rochelle Stevens Invitation Track Meet.
Twenty-six years later, more than 10,000 athletes put their best foot forward
to impress college coaches, scouts and recruiters.
“Track and field has come a long way,” said Stevens, who
cheered on the home team in track and field at the Summer Olympics in Rio de
Janeiro. “Some of these people are running to break our records. They’re
chasing after the dreams that we put in place.”
(For more information about “Travel the World
by Foot,” email rochelledayspa@gmail.com or go to www.traeltheworldbyfoot.com)
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