About LaVonna💜

Olympian. Educator. Advocate. Leader in Sport.

I have lived many chapters—athlete, educator, leader, mother, wife of 30+yrs—and each has taught me the value of pausing long enough to listen.I am LaVonna Martin Floreal, and my work today lives at the intersection of experience, leadership, and legacy. Taking a Deep Breath reflects my belief that growth happens not only in moments of action but in the space we create to reflect, transition, and choose what comes next with intention.

As a two-time United States Olympian in Track and Field, my journey began in competition. I represented the United States at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul and earned a silver medal in the 100-meter hurdles at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. My career also includes medals at the World Indoor Championships and Pan American Games, along with being a 14-time All-American and four-time NCAA Champion at the University of Tennessee.

Over time, my focus expanded beyond performance to purpose. I spent 14 years as an educator, supporting young people as they discovered their own potential, and I now serve in national leadership roles with USA Track & Field as Chair of the Women’s Commission, Chair of the Women’s Development Committee, and a member of the Women’s Track & Field Executive Committee. In these spaces, my work centers on advocacy, governance, mentorship, and the creation of pathways that support women and girls across every level of sport.

I also consulted on the “Paving Lanes” project with Athlos, contributing a perspective shaped by lived experience and celebrating the women of my sport who broke barriers, set standards, and paved the way for today’s stars.

At its core, my work is about honoring the journey—celebrating triumphs, navigating transitions, and creating space for the next generation of leaders to emerge. This platform is an extension of that work, offering stories, conversations, and reflections meant to encourage intentional growth and meaningful impact.

~LaVonna💜

p.s. If you’d like to stay connected or continue the conversation, you’re welcome to follow along or reach out.