Sha'Carri Richardson Finds Time To Slow Down And Enjoy Some Chocolate

Forbes

09-05-2025

Sha'Carri Richardson grew up marking special moments with Turtles, a 'premium treat' she still ... More cherishes today.
Sha'Carri Richardson has built her career on scorching speed.
The record-breaking sprinter is the reigning 100m world champion, an Olympic gold medalist, and one of the most electrifying and talked-about athletes of her generation, known as much for her fierce determination as for her bold, unapologetic presence.
But the track star is now exploring life in the slow lane. Richardson has teamed up with an unexpected partner, Turtles®, the original caramel nut cluster, to launch the brand's new 'It's Slow Good' campaign.
'Even in my journey right now as a competitor, I'm learning that slow good equals patience, equals clarity, as well as being able to actually take the time to process and to just be in the moment,' she reflected.
For the Dallas, Texas, native, the pairing is also personally resonant. 'What made me say yes to the partnership is simply the connection to my childhood,' she shared with Forbes. Growing up, Turtles weren't just a snack; they were a sweet reminder of family traditions. One memory that lingers is shopping with her grandmother, when she was allowed to pick just one treat. 'I definitely remember picking up Turtles out of everything because I could only get one thing,' Richardson recalled. 'The combination of all my favorite things as a child was in that one snack. So it made sense.'
In the spirit of savoring pockets of pause, Richardson also made a head-turning appearance at the 2025 Met Gala. Honoring the night's theme, 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,' she stunned in a custom Valentino look by Alessandro Michele, polished off with her iconic, intricately decorated acrylics.
'You know that I love my nails,' she added playfully.
In this Q&A, Richardson chats about her dessert cravings, the parallels between the Met Gala and a track meet, and the powerful words she exchanged with Regina King.
I'm a big baked goods person. This is something that [my mom]
I would probably say chocolate—any chocolates. You know when you're checking out at the grocery store, you've got all the different chocolate bars at the front? As a child, chocolate was something that I loved to indulge in because it gave you a little bit of everything. It made me feel good, it filled me up, and it was something that there was plenty of. So even if I got one bar or one piece of chocolate, it was enough for me to make it last.
Sha'Carri Richardson shows off her favorite Turtles treat.
I am very into music. I like gospel, R&B, and old-school country; anything that makes me have a different feeling, that I can disconnect from the world almost. Another ritual that I have is speaking with my family. That's something that keeps me balanced. Just always being able to stay grounded, never forgetting where I come from, and getting that love poured back into me so I can be my best self in the world. Another ritual is, of course, practicing. Working out so I can always stay on top of my A-game when it comes to being the best competitor I can be. Another ritual that may seem random is reading. I feel like reading also helps me disconnect from social media, and not necessarily being in front of the TV. And just pouring back into myself and feeding my creativity as well.
I love that. I'm a self-help reader. I like books that make me think, 'do I do that? How can I do that better? Or like, hmm, like maybe I shouldn't do that anymore. '
I love this question because I literally thought about this as I was on the carpet. It gave me almost the same adrenaline rush as being in the blocks—actually being in the call room. So, before I walked up to the carpet, we had to wait for a little while and standing there, it reminded me of being in a call room. Like, okay, this is a finale. This is a big show. This is the moment. Take a deep breath. Don't get too big. Don't get too low. Just stay right front row and center.
Sha'Carri Richardson attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at ... More Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo byfor The Met Museum/Vogue)
I partnered with Valentino's Alessandro Michele. The creation and the inspiration came from an era of Black feminine softness. Not just being Black and independent and strong, but being Black and fierce and knowing that is power and softness. We can continue to be our best selves, our strong selves, our fierce selves, but we can feel safe in what we do. We can feel graceful in this era of life. That's what inspired my look, down to the colors, the flow of the material, as well as the length and just the fullness of my hair. And of course, my grill and the nails.
It was a moment of just recognition, almost. I felt like I was seen. I felt like I was understood as well. Not just as an inspiration, but almost like the passing of the torch. I feel like I met a lot of people from the Black generation. I had multiple conversations with Black women who I literally idolized. I had a conversation with Regina King that continued to let me know that exactly where I'm at, who I am, and what I stand for, and being grandma's baby, is something that not only is a story that inspired me and touched me to be who I am today, but [made] people see me and support me. That was a conversation I felt deeply within my heart.
I was super excited to meet Savannah James. I did get a chance to meet her and give her flowers for being a Black queen that continues to lead in her own way, lead her family, and inspire women in all walks. No matter who they are or who they're married to, they continue to have their own image, their own identity, and their feminine power lies within themselves. I just had to let her know that she was an inspiration for me as a Black woman to become my best and fullest self, while having a Black king right by my side.
I want to say chicken. That was really nice. It had a spicy taste to it, so I enjoyed that. I love spices. [Chef Kwame Onwuachi] did a great job with the creativity of his meals, but the taste was just as simple and delicious.
I don't want to put limitations on what can be achieved this season, but just honestly being better than last season, continuing to develop my race pattern, continuing to run faster times, and continuing to broaden the access and the excitement that track and field has year-round and all the time and not just every four years.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.