With the 2024 Paris Olympics on the horizon, the internet and specifically NBC sports is a fertile ground for runners seeking VT of sprinters and distance runners with perfect form. I, like many others, have found myself enthralled by the grace and physically impressive specimens of the 2024 Olympians. My wife Morgan and I were watching a few of the teasers to get form notes and inspiration when we came across an interview with Nikki Hiltz. If you don’t know who they are, crawl out from under your rock and look to the coverage of the games. Nikki is a 29 year-old, non-binary, AFAB, middle-distance runner who is dominating the Women’s 1,500-.meter. Most recently they destroyed the 1,500m at the trials setting a PB of 3:55. That is three minutes and fifty five seconds to self propel over .93 miles, aka a sub 4. That is 1 full minute faster than the gold medal pace of the men’s 1500m in 1896. But, this blog entry isn’t about exploring their form, which is perfect, or their training regime, which I would kill to see. I want to talk instead about Nikki’s healthy, self-justified, and principled sense of their self and their boundaries, and how these philosophical issues give them the edge they need to perform at the height of the sport. No I am not being overly cautious with my use of pronouns, Nikki prefers to be referred to by They/Them pronouns.

In the interview with NBC Sports Nikki comes across as an ambassador for athletes dealing with identity issues of all sorts. They rightly explain that they do not speak for every trans or non-binary person, that their goal is not to inspire others to necessarily come-out or explore their gender identity, Nikki simply wants to do their sport and do it well. This interview led Morgan and I into a discussion about how important it is to have self-knowledge and understand your boundaries when taking on, or in Nikki’s case, mastering your sport. There is a video clip in the interview of them crossing the Finish Line at the Trials in Oregon, and the look of joy on their face is enough to inspire anyone to go out and reach for personal best. But what struck me was what Nikki said about watching that coverage. They were amazed that the announcers all got their pronouns right. Nikki knows who they are. I do not have any doubts of that, it comes across in their casual confidence and bearing. But they live in a country that can be hateful and bigoted and as they put it non-“compassionate.” So the strength of will it took to not only come out but to then continue to compete in the category that you were assigned at birth takes tremendous courage that I believe comes from a rock solid sense of self. Unfortunately for Nikki, they are so damn inspiring that I dont think anyone could help but see them as an ambassador for Trans and Non-Binary athletes. They likely inspired quite a few to maybe come out or explore their identity a bit. And I say that as a confident comfortable white, sis man.

I am not personally privy to Nikki’s background in philosophy of identity. It is possible that they are a savant and came to this self-understanding all on their own. But If thats not you perhaps talking to a philosopher could help you explore these issues. A counselor worth their salt will be aware of gender identity issues and can provide you with literature to explore these issues on your own, in discourse or in group. And if they can’t they should know a practitioner that can. Nikki said something else in the interview that struck me as important. They said that they have been “speaking to a therapist” and working on “setting boundaries,” and that if talking about their issues drains their energy instead of adding to it that they would withdrawl. This is such an evolved understanding of self-care and approriate altruism that I felt the need to commend them and hopeful inspire my readers a bit.

Watch the video and watch the 2024 Olympics, they are truly inspiring. Book a session and see how running and philosophy can meet at the intersection of a happier life.

Think Well. Run Often. Be Happy.

-Cecil Eu:PhORIC