Marion Jones

Most of us will never know the heights—or depths—Marion Jones has traveled. At the peak of her career, the sprinter was going after five Olympic gold medals, making millions from endorsement deals and charming everyone with her irresistible smile. At rock bottom, she was an admitted liar, stripped of her medals and serving six months in prison.

Not to understate things, but she has packed a lot of living in her 41 years. “I suspect it’s made me a bit wiser than most people my age,” says Jones, who staged a short comeback as a professional athlete, playing for the WNBA several years ago. For her, sharing this hard-earned wisdom is the key to making sense of her missteps and redeeming them, and so she mentors girls through an empowerment group she founded as well as travels the country to speak, including this November 2, at the TX Conference for Women.

Here’s what Jones, co-author of On the Right Track: From Olympic Downfall to Finding Forgiveness and the Strength to Overcome and Succeed, wants you to know: Read More →