An Interview with 2008 NCAA 400 Meter Track Champion Andretti Bain
Faith & Fitness Magazine: I watched the NCAA National Track and Field competition recently on television. You won the 400-meter race. Congratulations. It looked like you had some tough competition.
Andretti Bain: Yes, the race was extremely competitive. All of the guys were capable of winning.
F&F: What is it like being on national television, competing at this level? Did you feel any greater pressure?
AB: Competing at this level on national television was always a dream of mine. The only pressure I felt was that which I placed on myself to win.
F&F: After you won, the CBS sportscaster interviewed you live trackside. The first words out of your mouth gave God credit for your success. Had you thought about and planned what you would say if you won?
AB: No, I had not planned anything. Thanking God for my success comes natural. I know that I am nothing and can do nothing without Him.
F&F: Share with our readers what you told the television audience.
AB: I said that I must give God all the thanks for this win. I asked Him to help me finish strong. I ran the first part of my race hard and did my part – so did He.
F&F: Knowing that decision makers in the shoe and running industry were watching and that the potential for an important and lucrative endorsement contract may be close at hand for you, did you ever consider that your public display of your Christian faith could hurt your chances of getting a professional contract?
AB: No, that was never a consideration. I believe that what God has in store for me, I will get, irrespective of other persons’ beliefs.
F&F: How would “going pro” affect your life? What opportunities and what challenges would it create?
AB: “Going pro” would grant me the financial resources and influence needed to help motivate people into following their dreams.
F&F: Before the race and after you won did you have the opportunity to interact with other athletes? How does your faith shape your conversations and interactions with others?
AB: Yes, I had the opportunity to interact with many athletes after I had won. My faith ensures that I indicate that all things are possible through Christ.
F&F: Christ is all about making life-shaping relationships — the deeper friendships that you form to help others through their spiritual journey and life challenges. Share an example of such a friendship that God has given you.
AB: God has granted me with many life-shaping relationships. I have so many friends and well-wishers at Oral Roberts University, and the Bahamas that have always been there to share an encouraging word with me. And allow me to do the same with them.
F&F: So, what does it take to get to this point? How did you go about creating your own athletic success story?
AB: My athletic success story came as a result of me chasing after my dreams by setting goals that I never gave up on, despite how tough the journey has been.
F&F: How hard is the physical training? Describe what all goes into being a professional-level athlete.
AB: The physical training is very intense. There must be a perfect balance between faith in what you’re doing, you’re exercises, your diet, and also you’re REST.
F&F: What is the vision you have for your life? What are your goals?
AB: The vision for my life is to encourage and motivate people to living out their dreams so that they may discover their purpose. I would like to be the greatest 400m/400mh in the history of track and field, along with being a very successful business man.
F&F: You are getting a masters degree in business to one day design, build and manage a business back at your home city in the Bahamas. Share about the dream and how it will impact the lives of others?
AB: Yes, I plan on creating an entertainment center in the Bahamas. This business will provide a more positive means of enjoyment for all people, along with motivating people to live out their dreams.
F&F: Life isn’t all about hard work, school, training and working toward success. What do you do to enjoy life, when you just want to kick back and relax or have some fun?
AB: My hobbies include playing dominoes, shooting pool, bowling, or simply relaxing and not doing anything.
F&F: I’m a distance runner myself. Care to join me sometime for about seven miles of hills?
AB: I am a quarter-miler; seven miles of hills are far from exciting for me!
