Sparkle McKnight is something of a superwoman.

In 2014, McKnight gave birth to her daughter, Ashaunte. The following year, she was back on the track, running a then personal best 55.41 seconds for women’s 400 metres hurdles silver at the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships, in Costa Rica.

McKnight also competed at the 2015 IAAF World Championships, in Beijing, China, reaching the semifinal round in the one-lap hurdles. Additionally, she was part of the University of Arkansas 4×400 metres team that earned silver at the 2015 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Indoor Championships, in Arkansas, USA.

Ashaunte is now six. McKnight continues to be a committed mother, and somehow finds a way to remain an elite level performer. At the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, she lowered her personal best to 55.15 seconds in the qualifying round and went on to finish seventh in the final.

Speaking recently during the second episode of the new online series, “Athlete Talks”, McKnight explained how she balances motherhood and athletics.

“I’m a big planner. I write down everything, and make sure I have sufficient time to do what I need to do. From the day before, I plan my whole day: when I have things to do; when she has stuff to do; my training times; my gym times; every single thing. Also, I would wake up before she wakes up to get some time for myself so I’m able to stay mentally there and juggle all the tasks I need to deal with.

“Even when I’m sick sometimes,” McKnight continued, “I still have to make sure. The mummy hat doesn’t come off at all. I just have to do what I have to do.”

Ashaunte is a source of inspiration for McKnight during some of her training sessions.

“Sometimes when I’m ‘dead’ and I hear the little voice say ‘go mummy’, it gives me the extra push. Now that she’s in kindergarten, she doesn’t come to the track as often, but when she does come it’s a big boost of motivation.”

McKnight, who graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2018 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, had words of wisdom for young female athletes.

“If you don’t love track and field, it’s not going to work. It’s hard, it’s expensive and it’s mentally draining. Train hard, but have fun doing it.”

McKnight and junior quarter-miler Rae-Anne Serville were the guests on episode two of “Athlete Talks”. Retired half-miler Jamaal James, 2013 IAAF World Championship men’s 400m hurdles gold medallist Jehue Gordon and reigning Commonwealth Games men’s 200m champion Jereem “The Dream” Richards co-hosted the show.

Episode threeÑfeaturing Trinidad and Tobago track stars Kelly-Ann Baptiste and Machel CedenioÑis scheduled for next Wednesday at 8pm at www.zoom.us. James will co-host with retired quarter-miler Zwede Hewitt.