Sandi Morris: Mastering the Pole Vault Through Dedication, Resilience, and Sacrifice
Sandi Morris: Mastering the Pole Vault Through Dedication, Resilience, and Sacrifice
Watching Sandi Morris soar over the bar is awe-inspiring—but what you don’t see is the years of dedication, disciplined training, and sacrifices that make her one of the world’s top pole vaulters. From overcoming injuries to refining fundamentals and maintaining peak physical condition, Sandi’s journey is an inspiring story of determination. As a former Division 1 pole vaulter myself, I sat down with Sandi to talk similarities and differences between defying gravity in the pole vault and going 40mph on a racehorse.
Trust Your Training: Don’t Overthink
One mantra drives Sandi Morris’ performance: “Don’t let overthinking get in the way.” Trust your training, trust your instincts, and let muscle memory take over. Sandi emphasizes that peak performance comes when she stops overthinking and simply executes—turning intensity into precision. This is comparable to a jockey becoming one with a racehorse. An experienced jockey does not overthink but becomes a unit with the horse, allowing the execution of split second decisions and seamless transitions throughout a race.
The Value of a Supportive Partner
Sandi’s husband, Tyrone Smith, is a three-time Olympian and Bermuda’s long jump record holder. Their shared athletic background provides a rare understanding of the sacrifices elite sports require. Whether enduring long-distance phases for training or traveling extensively for competitions, having a partner who truly understands has been invaluable.
“I don’t think I could have had success being with someone who wasn’t an athlete. Tyrone understands the sacrifices, and that support makes a huge difference,” Sandi Morris shares.
Whether it’s a partner, parent, sibling or best friend, these supportive relationships are imperative to make it through the demanding lifestyle of a professional athlete.
Sacrifices for the Pursuit of Excellence
Being a professional athlete means making tough choices. For Sandi Morris, missing family events, weddings, and nights out is part of the commitment. She sees it as setting an example for her young niece and nephew.
“If you want something, you have to sacrifice for it. That’s the lesson I want to pass on,” Sandi explains.
Countless hours of training as a professional athlete are spent when no one is watching. You never know the example you are setting for someone else, and that’s what inspires me on my early mornings at the track, long bike rides and runs, and lonely sessions at the gym.
Overcoming Injuries and Mastering Fundamentals
Early in her career, Sandi struggled with back problems, including disc bulges and muscle spasms. These setbacks required careful management and innovative training approaches. A coaching change in 2012 brought a fundamentals-first approach, emphasizing technique before intensity, and allowed Sandi to rebuild her confidence and consistency.
Strength coaches, including Matt Clark and Adam Petway, helped Sandi safely incorporate Olympic lifts, strengthening her tendons and ligaments while minimizing injury risk. Today, Sandi attributes much of her longevity in the sport to disciplined strength training and recovery strategies.
Chasing New Heights
With a personal best of 5.00 meters, just three inches shy of the world record, Sandi continues to push her limits. Despite age and previous setbacks, she remains focused on progression, recovery, and peak performance.
“I still feel like I have a whole chapter left in my career. Age doesn’t define what I’m capable of; preparation, discipline, and consistency do,” says Morris.
Life Beyond the Vault
Sandi’s passion extends beyond pole vaulting. Her love for horses reflects her approach to life and sport: connection, trust, and full engagement.
Galloping on a thoroughbred offers me a unique mental reset and reinforces the importance of joy and flow in performance. Sandi and I shared our experiences of getting into a flow state in our respective sports.
“It’s the teamwork, the connection. Nothing else matters when you’re out there with a horse. It all disappears,” I shared.
Lessons from Sandi Morris
Sandi Morris’ journey demonstrates the power of discipline, resilience, and calculated sacrifice. From trusting her training, relying on a supportive partner, and mastering fundamentals to optimizing strength, recovery, and mental toughness, her story inspires athletes and non-athletes alike.
Sandi proves that with focus, dedication, and a strong support system, extraordinary achievements are within reach—and the journey itself is a reward.
