Name: Edino Ronaldo Steele

Hometown: Brooklyn, New York / Kingston

Country: USA, Jamaica

Age: 30

Sport: Track & Field

Years in the sport: 24 years (11 years professionally)

How did you get started sprinting?

I started in grade school. My PE teacher saw that I had good top-end speed, build up into sprinting, and the last part of the race was my best part. He wanted me to join track and field (1st grade) but I was not allowed to compete in school that year after because I was too young.

Goals for the next year?

Coming back from an injury, my goal is to finish my first race injury-free, and see if I can have a streak of sub-45 seconds. Realistic goals.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Retired from the sport but still involved in the sport, as either an agent or a coach. Preferably as a coach.

Favorite athlete?

Play like Kobe Bryant, but nothing can beat Lebron James.

What has been your biggest challenge as an athlete and how did you overcome it?

2007 college championship. We needed to win the last event to win the team title and one of the guys in the team didn’t show up to perform well. It was a challenge but I overcame it by beating everyone by 50 meters.

Any hobbies?

Cooking, reading, volunteering, researching everything and anything.

Favorite music?

Don’t have one, I listen to anything that can be listened to. Anything that has a nice melody and good lyrics.

What’s the best part of competing?

Winning. Especially when you’re beating your rivals.

Favorite quote?

Mark 9:23 “All things are possible, to him that believes.

If you could train with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?

Alberto Juantorena. I never really got to watch him live, but from watching his documentary, it speaks for itself that he was really dedicated to the sport and his running style was so unique.

If you could compete in another sport what would it be and why?

Soccer because I was always good at it and it was my first love. My speed, quickness, footwork, and shooting accuracy.

Favorite place to compete?

Anywhere in the Czech Republic, fans are delightful, more entertaining than the athletes, relatable, and extremely friendly.

Do you have any special warm-up routine?

We call it in’s and outs. Running straight and walking the curves. I do it the reverse way, so instead of turning left, I turn right.

What time is your alarm set for?

I don’t use an alarm, I wake up with the sun.

Ice cream or cake?

Pistachio ice cream.

What do you do on your rest days?

Sleep and do minor errands. Bank, pay bills, scratch my a**.

Last non-food item you bought?

Oh, I bought a shirt the other day. Black shirt. Short sleeves. Button down.

Do you have a lucky number?

19. 1+9 is 10 and 10 is the best number you can get on the soccer field. I couldn’t get number 10 so I got the next best thing.

The best thing you’ve done in the past 3 months?

A story about a homeless guy. I was driving home from my farm. I saw this homeless man and he asked for 50 Jamaican dollars to buy some chicken, so I told him where the place was and I’d go with you. I told him to get in the car, and we drove to buy him his chicken. His chicken was exactly 50 Jamaican dollars. We ate that chicken together, sat down and had a conversation, and I gave him half of what I ordered and whatever spare change I had in my pocket.

Strangest thing you’ve ever witnessed?

I saw a guy watching the big screen while his race was going on, in a relay, and when it was his time his team-mate just ran passed him.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

“Don’t limit yourself to what you can’t do but think about what you can do.” – Coach James Richardson (college coach)

Scariest thing you’ve ever done?

“Bungie jumping, Pasadena bridge.”

If you were stranded on a desert island, what one person and thing would you like to have?

My little brother Kedino and a monopoly board.

What would be your perfect meal?

Salmon with peppered shrimp, steamed broccoli with cheesy mashed potatoes, and a nice tall glass of water.

What performance are you most proud of?

2013 World Championship.

Hardest sports moment you’ve had to push through?

Getting disqualified 2014 for a lane violation, which you can’t see on cameras. After being disqualified I had to re-vamp myself because I had to run a team relay, I had to focus on my team and not myself.

What have you learned from sprinting that has helped you in other parts of your life?

Focus. Sprinting is all about mind over your body. If your mind isn’t clear on dorsiflex your feet, lowering your shoulders, how to swing yours correctly, head position, all of that teaches you how to focus. And if you keep your mind focused, everything in life is clear.”

Favorite place to eat?

My mom’s house.

If you had to travel either forward in time or backward in time, which would you choose? Why?

Forward in time, never go back. I want to see how my life is going to be in the future.

What is the most unusual, challenging, or creative workout you’ve ever done?

Split 500’s. Running the first 300, 10-second rest, then running next 200, all within a time limit.

Favorite animal?

Dog.

Dream job besides an athlete?

I’m doing it now; agriculture.

What motivates you to keep training?

The joy of winning medals. It’s not about the money anymore.

Favorite time of year?

I like fall, something about trees changing color and the weather is not too hot or cold. There is also a different smell in the fall.

Of all the people you have trained with over the years, from whom have you learned the most and why?

There’s my college teammate Mario Hughley and Usain Bolt. Mario was a competitor when training. He used to run me to the ground (never beat me) but when it was training time, he gave me the fire to stay on my toes. Usain, on the other hand, taught me how to train with efficiency, not to train like a mad-man, train smart but not dumb.

How many hours do you train at a given week?

Give or take 25-28 hours. Track work, gym work, and core work.

Best memory you have from a time when you were training?

In 2015, Usain and I put down an epic training program that had everyone watching us. Step downs. From 250 meters to 200, 180, and then 150 repeating this for three sets. Every time the coach gave us, we ran 1 second faster or dead on the mark. This training gave me more confidence as an athlete, especially training beside the world’s best.

If you could trade places with anyone for a day who would it be? Why?

Controversial. But it would be the Prime Minister of Jamaica. The reason why is even though he’s new to the game, and is trying to develop the nation properly, I still believe that we’re lacking what we have in our country to be one of the best countries in the world. Natural resources, entertainment, tourism, real culture. We’re not supposed to be this good, and still be a third world country.

What are your plans for 5 years down the line?

Retired, married, kids, continue my farming and eventually become a coach.

Favorite book?

The Diary of Anne Frank.

What does a typical day of training look like?

1-hour warmup, 15-20 minutes of drills, 4-6 speed buildups to get body/legs warmed up, and my favorite training session, 8-12×300-yards, depending on how the coach feels that day. Nobody in the world can beat me in this workout. Not even the great and powerful Usain Bolt. I accept any challengers.

Anything people would be surprised to learn about you?

That I’m a nerd and can research the crap out of anything.

What is the funniest thing has happened to you/others while training?

Ever see someone throwing up and run at the same time?

Best movie and tv series?

My all-time favorite movie is Shawshank Redemption and a toss-up between Fresh Prince of Bel-air and The Originals. The Originals made me cry the other night.

Favorite food while training?

Mostly Jamaican carbs, Yams, bananas, sweet potatoes, potatoes, a lot of pasta, baked chicken and fish. I ease off the pork and beef when I’m training.

Results you’re most proud of?

2013 World championship 4×4 silver medal. The veteran on the team, we believed that we could have medaled, and to come second behind the powerful Americans, is breathtaking, especially since I had the best 4×4 races in my career. The youngest person on our team (Javon Francis) was the anchor, and for him to take that pressure and deliver and did his job very well was fantastic. I will never forget that memory.

What inspires you?

There’s a feeling I get when I put on my spikes. Even though there are other competitors that are better than you, there is a voice in the back of your mind that says, “Nobody can f*** with you”. I inspire myself.

Do you have a saying or motto you live by?

“I got this. Don’t think about it, I got this.”

What do you enjoy most about your sprinting?

I enjoy training more than I enjoy competing. Especially mid-season training because you’re working on specific details on your race pattern.

Advise that you have for someone starting out sprinting?

LISTEN TO YOUR COACH!

What is the most crucial part of your training?

Fall season (background training), where you lay the foundation.

Anyone you would like to thank?

I would like to thank Trevor Green, he’s the one that started my career as a misfit from New York that didn’t know much about the sport or the value of training. Natural talent only pays off so much, training makes you go further. Walter Smith, my best friend, for just being there for me. He was an older brother figure and his motivation to say I could do anything was really helpful. My two college coaches: James Richardson and Patrick Williams. My first agent Claud Bryan, for showing me the ropes. Darron Herrah (Hero), even to this day he’s still a motivation, ultimate motivator, knows the sport so well and motivation is key. Coach Glenmills, for taking me out of New York and showing me that track and field is more than just a business, and also for being a father-figure to me. Last but not least, Usain Bolt, for being a friend.

Anything else you would like to share?

I want to thank my two kids, Jayden and Noah. Jayden really pushed me to stay humble in the sport and to think of this as a business, not just a sport. Noah is to show him that hard work pays off, and when he grows up he’ll know his dad was the shit, and that I have proof. I would like to thank my mom and dad. Mom was great mental support, and Dad would show up and I wouldn’t even know.

Please add any social media links you have:

Instagram: @edinosteele

Twitter: @edinosteele

Facebook: @edinosteele

Snapchat: @edino_steele

#ManofSteele