The Fastest Man Alive Noah Lyles Chose to Run Despite Struggling to Breathe: ‘If I Die, I Die’ – His Health History

Noah Lyles etched his name in history by winning the gold medal in the men’s 100-meter race at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Fans were thrilled by his victory, but, afterward, the athlete took to X with something that left most in awe.

His revelation had to do with his childhood issues and ongoing battles, but despite everything, he overcame all and inspired millions around the world. Let’s discover what’s going on and what fans had to say about his tweet.

The Fastest Man Right Now

Born on July 18, 1997, this American track and field star specializes in the 60-meter, 100-meter, and 200-meter sprints. His success story began in 2014 with a gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games.

He has broken several records for the 200-meter race, including finishing at 19.60 seconds during this year’s US Olympic trials. Lyles also has earned an Olympic gold and a bronze medal, as well as six world championship titles, and four Diamond League final trophies.

His exceptional performance in the 4×100-meter relay secured him a gold medal at the 2016 World U20 Championships, further solidifying his position as a track and field powerhouse.

In 2023, Lyles made history, becoming the first man since the legendary Usain Bolt in 2015 to sweep all three sprint events at the World Championships.

Now, Lyles’ gold medal in the men’s 100-meter race at the 2024 Paris Olympics makes him one of the fastest men alive, a feat that impressed online personalities and fans alike, even more so after his recent tweet.

Shocking His Followers

Lyles’ recent revelation on X was short, but it showed his unwavering commitment to realizing his dreams, and what he has gone through in private, which resonated with many netizens.

One follower shared, “Thank you for sharing! I’m a disabled veteran with PTSD, anxiety, depression, breathing difficulties, sleep issues, and allergies. I’m also an award-winning filmmaker and writer teaching people how to love their neighbor. You are an inspiration. Keep being amazing!“

A.J. Perez, a senior reporter for Front Office Sports, said, “Love the positivity. As somebody who has the first four (but zero wheels), thanks for making us—and the entire country—proud.“

Another user commented, “Literally anything is possible if you set your mind to it! Love to see someone with so many potential excuses not let it hold them back!“

As expected, all the comments were positive. Many online users also sent him praising messages because of his Olympic win. One fan wrote, “You made America proud today.“

Another said, “You also have the rightful title of the fastest man in the world now.” Someone else exclaimed, “Fastest Man In The World. Gold Medalist. Inspirational Story Teller. MAMA THERE GOES THAT MAN [sic].“

Another enthusiastic fan stated, “You’re a legend king.! USA is gold because you did that.! Man I appreciate you more than you know.! Much respect to you .! USA stand up [sic]!“

On August 4, 2024, after winning his race, Lyles wrote on X:

“I have Asthma, allergies, dyslexia, ADD, anxiety, and Depression. But I will tell you that what you have does not define what you can become. Why Not You [sic]!”

However, his inspiring words don’t mean his journey was easy. The fastest man in the world right now had to make a choice from a very young age, and it could’ve compromised his entire life.

Suffering from Asthma

Lyles faced severe health challenges from a young age. At just three years old, he struggled with a persistent cough and difficulty breathing, which often woke him up in the middle of the night as he gasped for air.

His mother, Keisha Caine Bishop, would spend hours holding him so he could sleep. Eventually, doctors diagnosed him with reactive airway disease, where irritants like pollen could trigger severe coughing fits.

His condition often worsened, and he needed frequent emergency room visits. At five, Lyles experienced a severe bout of coughing and wheezing that sent him to the hospital.

“Can you ask the doctor to please make me better?” he asked his mother at the time, and Keisha assured him that everything would be alright.

She supported him by consulting doctors and specialists, who recommended a regimen of vitamins and supplements to strengthen his lungs. Additionally, she figured out that dust was the culprit and made significant changes to their home to help her son.

At the age of seven, doctors decided to give him a tonsillectomy. They also removed his adenoids to help with his breathing. However, at 12, Noah woke up one morning with his lungs completely congested and was, again, rushed to the ER.

The doctors said he had swine flu and required a two-day hospital stay. He was even on a breathing machine for a while. Yet, through it all, Lyes was determined to pursue his dream of running.

After this hospital stay, it took two weeks before he was able to breathe normally without coughing. That’s when the athlete made the choice to go back to running. “I’m a kid, and I’m going to just go run through the wall, you know?” Lyles told the press recently. “If I die, I die, but I’m going to die a happy kid.”

Unfortunately, asthma wasn’t his only health problem. Other issues affected his school life and even his mental health.

Struggling with Dyslexia and ADHD

Lyles’ challenges extended beyond his physical condition. After changing his diet, he was able to attend public school, where he encountered more challenges. In second grade, he was diagnosed with ADHD, and dyslexia, which made it difficult for him to focus and learn in school.

Standardized tests and even basic spelling proved to be major hurdles for the young athlete.

He described the experience as isolating. “Around second grade, that’s when I kind of got diagnosed with ADD and dyslexia, and it became a situation where I was kind of alienated from the rest of my friends,” he said.

As a result, Lyles had to put in ten times more effort than his peers to achieve average academic results. Fortunately, sports provided an outlet where he felt he excelled, but his problems were never fully away.

The athlete was also bullied at school for having yellow teeth, a side effect of the medication he took for ADHD.

Getting Depression

The athlete revealed that he struggled with this mental illness, particularly during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. At that time, he was transitioning off his antidepressant medication due to unnatural weight gain, which affected his performance.

Lyles admitted, “I was depressed. I watched back my race in Tokyo, and I was like, ‘I really don’t know that guy. I don’t know who that is, but it’s not Noah’.”

However, he also described it as a “fake-it-to-make-it” year and expressed relief that he was no longer in that dark place. He now “thanks God” every day for his improved mental state.

Furthermore, he was also dealing with the aftermath of the global pandemic, the postponement of the Olympics, which took place in 2021 because of lockdown restrictions, and the political climate in the United States.

All these situations affected his performance in the end, and he only earned a bronze medal in the 200-meter race but didn’t make the US team for the 100-meter event. However, his attitude at the 2024 Paris Olympics proved that people can always come back and do better.

Leaving the Race Track in a Wheelchair

On August 6, 2024, when Lyles woke up he was aware something was amiss but knew it had nothing to do with the soreness from the men’s 100-meter final two days before. He alerted the doctors who tested him and he came out positive for COVID-19.

The diagnosis didn’t change his mind about taking part in the 200-meter final on August 8, 2024. Before starting the race, the runner seemed well as he jumped and ran around during introductions.

But, after racing and only managing third place with a time of 19.70 seconds, he fell to the ground in exhaustion breathing heavily. His US teammate, Kenny Bednarek came second with a time of 19.62, while Letsile Tebogo from Botswana took gold with 19.46.

The medical staff had to push Lyles off the Stade de France race track in a wheelchair, leaving fans concerned. Speaking to reporters, the athlete explained that his COVID-19 symptoms included chills, a sore throat, and aches.

But he still felt around 90 and 95% healthy when he raced. After being diagnosed, he chose not to panic noting how he’d faced worse situations before. Lyles had raced with worse conditions and decided to take it a day at a time, quarantine, and hydrate.

But the virus still took its toll, with the athlete feeling proud for racing and nabbing a bronze medal. In the last Olympics, Tokyo 2020, he wasn’t pleased with winning bronze, but this time he was.

Always Turning Bad Things into Inspiration

Aside from running competitions, Lyles is also an accomplished musician. He began creating music two years ago, by turning his poems into lyrics and adding music to them.

To raise awareness for the Diamond League meeting in Zurich, the athlete partnered with pole vaulter Sandi Morris and the Swiss pop band Baba Shrimps to create a music video titled “Souvenir.”

The inspiration for his lyrical creations comes from his childhood challenges and his hope to give a voice to others who have faced similar difficulties.

“I feel that a lot of kids through adolescence aren’t heard. I’m kind of basically trying to tell the world what it’s like during those time periods, and everybody’s gone through it. But I feel that a lot of people forget,” he explained.

His Secret to Getting Better

After all the athlete’s been through, many may wonder what he did to overcome his struggles. Lyles attributes his newfound happiness and success to therapy. He has two specialized doctors: a sports therapist and a personal therapist for life beyond the track.

Reflecting on his recovery journey, Lyles said, “There is a fear in the back of my mind that it (depression) will come back. But every time I think that, I am like, ‘I am so much better, I am in such a great place’.”

However, he also recognized that his mental health struggles may not be completely behind him, but he feels stronger and more equipped to handle them now. This resilience comes from the support and guidance he receives from his different physicians.

Lyles’ amazing story and recovery journey are more than remarkable, and they’ll surely inspire any hopeful athlete who wants to achieve their dream but is currently facing many hurdles. Pushing yourself to reach greatness, no matter what stands in your way, is the secret to success.

Just take a look at his recent X post and remember what the current fastest man alive said, “What you have does not define what you can become.”