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Track and Field Star Natasha Hastings in Two-Piece Workout Gear Cheers "Mental Health"

Hastings often reminds herself to give grace, balancing her professional commitments and family life.

U.S. Olympic Sprinter Natasha Hastings Trains During COVID-19 Pandemic
Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Natasha Hastings is a track and field star. She recently celebrated World Mental Health Day on Instagram. In a post, she did some exercises in the gym. Hastings captioned the post, “It’s World Mental Health Day! 💚Mental health and physical health go hand in hand. Make time for both! A balanced workout, a deep breath, or a quiet moment to yourself can make a world of difference. Today, I encourage you to take 5 minutes just for YOU. 🫶🏽”


1. She Gives Herself Grace

Hastings opened up about her wellness secrets to Fre Skin Care. She says that she makes sure to give herself grace. “I often have to make tough choices, as there are some days that I go to physiotherapy when I really just want to go home and be with my son. But I know there are things I need to do to work and provide for us to live. So, that’s been challenging. And sometimes there are things professionally that I want to get to or didn't get to. I’ve really had to learn how to give myself grace and know that I’m doing the best that I can. And this is also what I strive to role model for my son.”

2. She Built Her Confidence Up

Hastings tells Fre Skin Care that she made sure to build her confidence up when she trains. “I missed the Games in 2012. Going from 2012, being super disappointed and taking it day by day to get ready for 2016, I was able to really regain confidence in myself and confidence in my training. I changed the way I was speaking to myself and how I viewed myself as a person and an athlete. It really was the process and the journey of going from 2012 to 2016, and just knowing the things that I’d been through, that really made the difference to me going into the 2016 Games. That entire process is one that I enjoyed and often reflect on when I’m faced with new challenges, because it was a testament to staying focused on the prize and working hard every day, and then seeing that the fruits of your labor will come.”

3. She Wants To Be A Role Model

Hastings tells Fre Skin Care that she wants to be a role model for young girls out there. “I do a lot of work through my nonprofit for girls, the Natasha Hastings Foundation. I really want to advocate for girls and women in areas like self-love, discipline, period poverty, and learning about our bodies, and also to let them know all of the options that are out there for us. Sports has been such an amazing platform for myself and for other women in my life, so I really think it’s important to expose women and girls to sports, not just for their health but for the additional benefits it brings.”

4. She Takes Care Of Her Skin

Hastings shares her skincare routine with Fre Skin Care. “My skin is combination (oily/dry). I train outdoors pretty much year round, and my biggest concern is exposure & susceptibility to the sun. Morning: I wash my face with water. I moisturize with PROTECT ME. Just before I go out to the track, I apply my sunscreen. Evening: After practice, I cleanse with PURIFY ME. Some days I’ll use the DETOX ME mask as well. After that, I always use RECOVER ME. I finish off with I AM JOY. Actually, I use this one several times throughout the day.”

5. She Loves Oatmeal

Oatmeal,Porridge,In,White,Bowl,,Close,Up,View.Shutterstock

Hastings likes to eat oatmeal for breakfast. She talked about this in an interview with ESPN. “I use the instructions on the can. The extra ingredients are my own, though, tweaked to my liking. I prepare it overnight, because it can take about 30 minutes to make on the stove. Since morning workouts are pretty early, this cuts prep time and gives me a little extra sleep time.”