Q: How did your experience at UH shape your athletic career and prepare you for the Olympics?

LH: You’ve got to be prepared to work really hard. There isn’t a magic fix for this, or a magic supplement or a little technique that's going to help you. The coaches and trainers really helped with the basics, and they pushed me every day and brought out my potential. A lot of it was just being pushed to my maximum every day, so I could bring my best self to practice and competition. Coach Carl Lewis helped tap into my potential.

Q: What are your thoughts on competing in the 2024 Games?

LH: It doesn’t feel real at the moment. I’m kind of still getting in the mindset for getting used to the idea that I'm actually going [to the Olympics].

Q: When you qualified, what was that feeling like?

LH: It was mainly a relief. Qualifying was a lot of pressure. There was a lot of pressure going back to Great Britain.  There was a lot of pressure on me to back up the times I had run in the United States. It was a relief to show everyone that I am legit.

Q: Can you share any specific challenges that you've encountered on your journey?

LH:  The greatest adjustment was moving to the U.S. It was very difficult at the start. The training was tough. We had the hardest sessions at the hottest time of the year, so that was definitely very difficult.

Q: Would the heat that accompanied training in Houston be an advantage for you over other athletes in Paris?

LH:  Definitely gives you a little edge because the conditions we’re training in [in Houston] are probably the most difficult. I would say training in that type of heat pushes you a lot more.

Q: What’s the most important thing in your training? Is it more physical or mental?

LH: I would say it’s a bit of both. A lot of people would think that physical size is more important because we're running so hard or running so long, but it's really  getting in your mind and saying “I’m going to be able to get through this. I’m going to be able to do this next repetition.” My hamstrings or my calves might be burning, but it’s kind of just getting in that mindset where I know I can do this next rep or I can get through this.  

Q: How do you maintain that focus?

LH: It definitely takes a lot of practice and a lot of experience. Just knowing the Olympics is on the horizon brings the most out of you. You don’t want to quit. It’s knowing there're other guys probably doing more or doing just as much as you and who are going for that as well.

Q: Did Coach Carl Lewis talk to you a lot about setting goals?

LH: In just the first conversation we had we set a goal. We put a goal into my mind: You can make the Olympic team. This is such a relief for me because that was always the main goal.