This week, we got to chat to the unstoppable, inspirational and all-round star Mackenzie Hill. Not only is she an elite track runner, she’s also founder of Relay Enterprises and somehow manages to maintain a shoe collection that would make SJP envious! In between hitting the track and running a successful business that’s transforming hair care, she made time to chat to us about all things love and bouncing back from adversity…. We’re even more in awe of you than before!!
What do you do and why do you do it?
I am Elite Track Athlete and Entrepreneur, Co-founder of Relay Enterprises. I love them both because they allow me to embrace who I am and maximize my potential. It’s all about owning every aspect of who I am, and living life out loud, beautifully, bountifully, and boldly! I love track not only because I am extremely competitive but also it perfectly aligns work, achievement and reward, and the same is true for my company, Relay. We are creating a platform that enables others to achieve their dreams and live the life desire.
What’s the best gift you ever got?
The best gift I ever received is a heart-shaped charmed neckless with a picture of me and my cousin, Marschelle AKA Mickey in it. Mickey was my best friend and like a sister to me, who died unexpectedly when we were 22 years old. Anyone who knows me knows she is near and dear to my heart, in fact my angel. So the best gift was the gift of us together, again.
What’s the worst gift you ever got?
It is hard to identify the “worst” gift I’ve gotten, because I truly appreciate the time and effort people put into getting me a gift. Plus most people who have ever given me gift, know me well, and pay attention to my interest. Since, I am often vocal and clear about what I like and am interested in, it makes it easy to get me the perfect gift, if nothing else get me what I want.
What’s your advice for all things love, sex and dating?
Be true to who you are, do what is best for you, what makes you happy and focus on what you want, and everything else will come; I learned being confident and driven is attractive. When in a relationship, that strengths the bond, and allows for straight forward and honest communication, which is essential for a healthy long-lasting relationship.
What’s your go to pick me up?
Depending on the circumstance will determine which of 3 “pick me up’s” I use:
1) Eating… Food makes me happy so sometimes when I need a pick me up, is dining at an exceptional restaurant with amazing food. I am a foodie, so I am sensitive to flavors, textures, and smells, and a great combination of that definitely can put a smile on my face.
2) Beauty… sometimes my go to pick me up is getting my hair done, nails done, and getting dressed up… Sometimes the cure to feeling better is simply pulling yourself together, look good feel good.
3) Shopping… As a die hard fashionista, sometimes just swiping my credit card and buying a pair of shoes to add to my fierce shoe collection, or a hot outfit to add to my wardrobe, or surfing the net planning my next trip.
Tell us about your first heartbreak…
The first time I experienced heartbreak was in 2001. It was my sophomore year in high-school, the 2nd year in an exciting, intense, and inspiring commitment. We traveled around the country, met new people, and created experience after experience preparing me for life after high-school, I had definitely fallen in love. Then half way through my sophomore year, something bad happened that required me to take time off… the track. I suffered a stress fracture at a growth plate. Shortly after that healed and I was back on track, I strained my quad, at the time I didn’t realize the severity of the injury. I was extremely excited to be back on the track, and on the brink of breaking the High-School National Record in the 4×400, that I continued to run through it. About 2 weeks before the California State meet, we were within striking distance of the record. Meanwhile, I noticed my quad was becoming worse, and taking longer for me to recover from one day to the next day. The day of the state prelims my coach told me he needed me to run, he wanted to make sure I was going to be ready to run in the finals. I knew I was possibly in a lose-lose situation, because running a strong leg may result in my inability to run again the next day, however not performing would result in my coach pulling me off the Relay. In the prelims I did what I needed to do hoping I would recover for the finals the following day. The morning of the big show, AKA California State Meet Finals, I woke up in so much pain I could barely walk, and any amount of pressure was almost unbearable. Tears began to roll down my face as I knew running that evening was out of the question. As bad as I wanted to be on that record setting team there was nothing I could do, I felt the work I did throughout the year was for nothing, and now I had to sit back as my team ran to glory and captured the 4×400 National Record without me. It was bitter sweet watching my friends become national record holders as I sat in the stands… truly heartbreaking.
Tell us about a time you Bounced Back better than ever
A time I bounced back better than ever was after, a mediocre season, a new coach, feeling out of place, and gruesome training that broke my body down. After that season I analyzed what went wrong, did physical therapy, learned my body, refined my strength and training program, and really took control of my training and track career. This resulted in a personal record in the 400mh, the feeling of being empowered, and stronger, faster, and healthier than ever.
