Yesterday, Olympic track sprinter and bobsledder Lauryn Williams took time out of her busy schedule to share her natural hair journey with us after winning a silver medal with teammate Elana Meyers in the women’s bobsled. All in a day’s work for an Olympian!
PHOTO CREDIT: SLED-AP
NaturallyCurly: Tell us about your curly hair journey. When did you go natural and why?
Lauryn: During my senior year of high school, I decided to cut my hair and started to grow it out naturally. I wore my hair natural for most of college but then I pressed it once and it got damaged, so I permed it again. But, that only lasted about a year before I realized that I missed my braids and my afro puff so I started growing it out naturally again.
How long have you been loc’d? What made you decide to loc?
Lauryn: I decided to get my sisterlocs in April 2009. I made the decision after I kept seeing people with these beautiful neat locks that were well maintained. I was also excited by the opportunity for a low maintenance but good-looking style for myself.
How do you maintain your locs?
Lauryn: I try to get my hair retightened every four to six weeks, but I will admit that traveling so much makes it hard, especially since sisterloc consultants are not found in many of the places that I travel to.
Have you ever received negative comments about your hair?
Lauryn: I actually received negative comments many times, especially when my hair was short and natural. For example, I was not hit on for quite awhile during the transition phase where my hair was short and trying to find its way; so yes, there definitely was negativity. For me, it is hard to understand why having long silky hair that is not your own is more desirable than what God gave you.
What are your thoughts about the droves of women accepting their naturally wavy, curly, and coily textures?
Lauryn: It has been exciting to see natural come back into style and I definitely notice a difference in the self-confidence of women I meet with natural hair. Women are finding strength in their natural beauty and that is uplifting.
How do you protect your hair from the cold?
Lauryn: I just put on a hat and keep it moving. The ease of my sisterlocs is one of the things I love most about them.
PHOTO CREDIT: PAUL HAMELINE
How do you style your locs when you’re exercising?
Lauryn: At this point, they are now long enough to tie up by itself, which is convenient when I don’t have a hair tie.
We’ve heard from a lot of women who don’t want to exercise because it interferes with their hair routine (have to wash and style more”>. What advice do you have for them?
Lauryn: My advice is go natural! Even before I loc’d my hair, my natural hair was so much easier to deal with in all weather and workout conditions. When others had to plan the day according to their hair, I didn’t!
Being an Olympian calls for a hectic schedule. What are your go-to styles?
Lauryn: Most days, I’m very simple with my locs. I just wash and go!
What are your must-have products?
Lauryn: I’m definitely a fan of natural hair products, so I’ll try any product as long as it’s natural.
What’s your favorite moment being at the Sochi Olympics?
Lauryn: Going through the media zone with my driver Elana Meyers, listening to her responses, and knowing how excited she was for this moment made it all worthwhile. I just wanted to do a good job for her.
Do you have any advice for young women who aspire to be an Olympian?
Lauryn: My advice is don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do. Get up each morning and go after it. During the process, doors will open for you and your dreams will come true so just keep getting up and going after it.
