Junelle Lyles is opening up about the toughest chapter of her life and the man who helped her heal from it.
The 28 year old Olympian sat down with PEOPLE’s WAG World series and shared how her husband, track star Noah Lyles, and his family encouraged her to begin therapy following a string of personal losses, including the death of her mother in 2021.
View this post on Instagram
A childhood built on grit in Black River, Jamaica
Junelle grew up in Black River, a small community in Jamaica, where she was raised by her mother, Sandra Farquharson, alongside seven siblings. Money was tight and opportunities were limited, but Junelle found an outlet at age 8 when she discovered running. The sport quickly became more than a pastime. It became her ticket out of the valley and onto the world stage, eventually leading to international competition and an Olympic medal.
Training for the Olympics while losing her mother
In 2021, as Junelle prepared for the Tokyo Olympics, her mother was diagnosed with cancer. She passed away later that same year. Junelle described the impossible balancing act of training at an elite level while trying to be present for her mom, explaining that she relied on public buses for the two and a half hour commute to the hospital since she did not drive. Visits were often limited to a single hour because of hospital policy in Jamaica, leaving little time to process what was happening.
That year, Junelle still competed at the Tokyo Games, helping Jamaica win bronze in the women’s 4×400 meter relay. But the achievement came with complicated emotions, as grief and exhaustion overshadowed what should have been a triumphant moment.
A move to America and a new support system
In 2022, Junelle made a major decision. She relocated to the United States, despite not knowing how to drive and having spent her entire life in Jamaica. The move brought her closer to Noah, whom she had first met years earlier in 2017 as a friend before their relationship blossomed.
Junelle was welcomed with open arms by Noah’s family, especially his mother, Keisha Caine Bishop, a former All American track athlete who once competed at Seton Hall University. Junelle described the family’s warmth as instrumental in helping her adjust to an unfamiliar country and rebuild a sense of home.
How Noah Lyles pushed her toward therapy
Noah, who has long used his platform to advocate for mental health awareness, noticed that Junelle carried the weight of her losses without ever processing them. She had long viewed herself as the strong one in her family, someone who pushed through hardship rather than confronting it. Noah recognized the pattern, including her dread of October, a month she associated with repeated tragedy, and encouraged her to reframe her mindset rather than let the calendar dictate her emotional state.
That conversation became a turning point. By her first December in the United States, just one month after relocating, Junelle was already attending family therapy sessions with Noah’s relatives, something she says has made a significant difference in how she processes grief and stress.
A new chapter as a married couple
Junelle and Noah, 29, tied the knot in April 2026 after nearly a decade of friendship that evolved into romance. Their journey from teenage acquaintances to husband and wife has unfolded largely in the public eye, given Noah’s status as one of the top sprinters in the world.
Through it all, Junelle’s willingness to speak candidly about therapy, loss and starting over in a new country reflects a broader shift in how elite athletes and their partners are discussing mental health. Rather than treating vulnerability as a weakness, Junelle’s story underscores how leaning on family, both biological and chosen, can be a source of strength.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
View this post on Instagram
Exclusive : People
