“When I saw the time, I was like, ‘I did that. We are back. I’m me again…’ It felt so good to be like, ‘I’m back and doing things as good as I know how to do them, which I haven’t done in a while. It felt really good!”

My guest for today's episode is one of the most electrifying athletes in track and field right now: Anna Hall. The two-time decathlon Olympic champion Ashton Eaton went as far as to say that she might be one of the best athletes on earth right now.

Just days after winning the Hypomeeting in Götzis with 7,032 points, Hall now sits second on the all-time heptathlon list, tied with Carolina Kluft and trailing only her mentor, the great Jackie Joyner-Kersee. That mark was achieved with four personal bests, including a gutsy 2:01 in the 800m – a reminder that the final event of the heptathlon was more than a win. It was a comeback statement after last summer's heartbreaking fifth place finish at the Paris Olympics.

In this conversation, Anna opens up about the emotional weight of that Olympic result, the rehab process after knee surgery, and how this performance in Austria healed her. We also talk about what it means to chase a legend and have such a close connection with someone like Jackie Joyner-Kersee, the mental and physical toll of the heptathlon, and what's next as she eyes a potential world title this fall.

She's looking to become just the second American to win gold in the heptathlon after Jackie Joyner-Kersee won in 1987 and 1993. Anna is the kind of athlete who competes with heart, guts, and joy.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram

Guest: Anna Hall | @annaa.hall on Instagram 

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

OLIPOP: Olipop is a prebiotic soda that tastes like a throwback to your favorite childhood drinks, but it's loaded with benefits that your body will thank you for. Each can has 2-5g of sugar, 6-9g of fiber, and a science-backed formula designed to help you support your digestive health. They've got plenty of flavor options like Classic Root Beer, Crisp Apple, Grape, Cream Soda and wild hits like Peaches and Cream. You can grab Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, and Walmart or you can go to DrinkOlipop.com and use promo code CITIUS25 at checkout for 25% off all of your orders.

GRAND SLAM TRACK: This summer, Los Angeles isn't just the city of stars; It's the city of speed. Grand Slam Track, the new global home for professional track and field, is coming to Drake Stadium at UCLA June 28th-29th. The tickets are officially on sale now. The Los Angeles Slam is the fourth and final stop in the league's inaugural season and it's bringing the heat. Grab your tickets now at GrandSlamTrack.com and witness the future of the sport live and in person. Grand Slam Track: new league, new rules, same fast. The stars will see you in LA!

SWIFTWICK: Socks: sometimes you don't think about them until you do – like mile eight of a long run when your heels are on fire or when your sock has mysteriously vanished into your shoe. That's why we're teaming up with SWIFTWICK: the go-to sock brand for endurance athletes who care about performance and longevity. For a limited time, CITIUS MAG listeners get 15% off your first order with the code CITIUSMAG at checkout.

VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS’ new active adjustable slide! Tired feet? VELOUS has you covered. VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!