For First-Time Olympian Nia Akins, Writing Her Own Music Helps Her Unwind From Her Intense Training Schedule

When Nia Akins broke through the tape at Olympic Trials, she stood in shock that she was headed to Paris. The 800-meter runner placed first in the final round of competition to solidify her spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I’m really blessed to be here, and I don’t think it’s fully settled in yet,” Akins says. “The women in this field are just so talented in the 800m, and I’m excited to get to represent the U.S. alongside Allie [Wilson] and Juliette [Whittaker]. I’m super proud to have made it here and to go to Paris.”
All three women racing the 800m for Team USA are Olympic rookies, after a dramatic 800m final at the Trials where favorite Athing Mu tripped and fell. Akins, a 25-year-old from California, says it’s been a whirlwind of emotions leading up to the games.
“Above everything else, I’m really excited to just race. But I also want to eat as many croissants as I can while I’m there, since it’ll be my first time in Paris. My whole family is coming too, which I’m excited about—my little sister has already planned her outfits!”
When she’s not racing on the track, here are three things Akins does off-duty.
1. She plays the guitar and writes her own music
“During the pandemic, I started to take guitar lessons, which then grew into songwriting and releasing my own music on Spotify. The first song that I released is called ‘Paper Boats,’ which I released under the name Teddy Oliver,” Akins says.
She’s currently working on her first album and has plans to release another single before the Olympics.
“It’s a great way for me to take a break and unwind from the intensity of my training. Music is a positive distraction from running for me—I try to book studio time after my races as a way of processing and decompressing.”
“Finding time for self-care is crucial, especially while training for Paris 2024. Maintaining a strong, healthy mindset for practice and [competing] is essential.”
2. She practices self-care
“Finding time for self-care is crucial, especially while training for Paris 2024. Maintaining a strong, healthy mindset for practice and [competing] is essential,” she says. “My favorite way to practice self-care is to just sit in stillness. To find a bench with a nice view, go for a brief walk or for a drive where I’m releasing the day and my worries and thoughts, and being present.”
This kind of mindfulness has lots of scientifically proven benefits, according to the National Institutes of Health, including reducing anxiety and improving depression.
 3. She recovers from intense training
“No matter the workout, a protein smoothie is a must for me post-workout during the recovery process. The easiest way to get my protein fix is with the NOW Sports whey protein isolate. It offers clean ingredients and is Informed-Sport certified, which is something I look for as a professional athlete and allows me to have trust in the products I am using every day.”
You can catch Nia Akins competing in the Women’s 800-meter races starting on August 3. NBCUniversal is the official U.S. broadcaster for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, but you you can also watch on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, USA Network, CNBC, and E!