Oviedo High graduate Jenny Simpson discusses her local ties and impressive showing at the 2016 Olympic Games.

At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, U.S. athletes took home 121 medals—but only a few of them can claim to have made history. Jenny Barringer Simpson, who graduated from Oviedo High School, was one of them, earning bronze in the women’s 1,500- meter race and marking the first time an American athlete medaled in that competition. With Simpson already eyeing the World Championships in 2017 and 2019, as well as 2020’s Olympics, catching up with her was no easy feat. She was happy to speak with us once we did, though, discussing her recent accomplishments, future goals, and the community that helped turn her into one of the fastest people on the planet.

ORLANDO FAMILY MAGAZINE: Congratulations on your bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. How long has earning an Olympic medal been a goal of yours, and what did it feel like to finally achieve it, especially in the history- making way you did?

JENNY SIMPSON: I don’t know that there was a single day that I decided, “I want to win a medal in the Olympics.” I’ve always wanted to be great at what I do and have just followed each accomplishment up with the desire to achieve something greater. Eventually, that’s brought me to where I am today. What makes this medal particularly special is that it was truly history making. Becoming the first American woman to medal in an event with such a long and rich history is an incredible honor.

OFM: Though you previously lived in the Greater Orlando area and attended Oviedo High School, we understand your family moved here from Iowa during your childhood. Do you still have any ties to Central Florida? What did you enjoy most about your time here?

JS: I lived in Central Florida from third grade through high school. My dad was a professor at [University of Central Florida] throughout those years. My finest memories are of running on trails around town followed by breakfast at the Townhouse and visiting my dad at work on campus. I don’t get back very often because my parents have moved. But my brother and host family live in Jacksonville, and I still make an effort to visit my high school coaches once every few years.

OFM: What is it about running that appeals to you? How long have you been doing it?

JS: I love how easy it is to go on a run. With just a pair of running shoes, you can explore most of the planet! It’s also a very versatile sport in that you can run alone to de-stress, with a single friend having good conversation, or with your entire community at a group run or road race.

OFM: You’ve been a championship runner going back at least as far as your career at Oviedo High. Did you pick up any techniques, tricks or all-around good advice during your time there?

JS: High school running has becoming so cutthroat and competitive in recent years. The best thing I got out of running through middle school and high school was a sincere love for the sport. I couldn’t have gotten this far and focused for this many years without a deep love for running.

OFM: What other things do you enjoy? How do you unwind?

JS: I love cooking, reading, trying new things, and supporting my husband.

OFM: What have been the biggest changes to your training regimen in the 10-plus years since you graduated?

JS: My commitment to my sport has gotten more and more serious over the years. As I’ve gotten faster and set harder goals, I’ve sacrificed more and the intensity has increased. Over time, the biggest change to my training is just how focused my life is on this one pursuit. I used to balance training with school, family vacations and other interests. Today, I train full-time and sacrifice other hobbies and trips to focus just on my racing.

OFM: The Rio Olympics seemed a little rough around the edges, what with the security and health concerns faced by many competing athletes. Any interesting stories from your time in Brazil?

JS: I know there was a lot of concerning news leading into the Games. I was prepared to be alert for security concerns and loaded up on bug spray! But from the moment I arrived in Brazil until the day I left, I had a wonderful experience. The [International Olympic Committee] and [United States Olympic Committee] did an outstanding job focusing on athlete safety so that we could focus all of our attention on our competitions and having a memorable Olympic experience. I also wasn’t in Brazil for the entire Games. I was there for 10 days and was competing for five of those days.

OFM: If you had the 2016 Games to do over again, what if anything would you have done differently during your training and the races themselves?

JS: I had some unfortunate setbacks during the season this year. I suffered a serious foot injury during winter training, and then I came down with a pretty bad cold that left lingering respiratory inflammation just a week before Rio. Both of those incidents were just bad luck. But despite those interruptions, I feel that I totally maximized my opportunity, and I’m so proud to have medaled at the Olympics. As far as what I could control, I wouldn’t go back and change a single minute.

OFM: Becoming an Olympian is a dream of many. When do you think you’ll be able to look back and process it all?

JS: When I’m 80.

OFM: With those games behind you, what’s next for your career? Do you already have your eyes set on the 2020 games?

JS: Most Olympic athletes think of their careers in four-year cycles, and I absolutely have another four years in me. There will be World Championships in 2017 and 2019, and I’ll want to try to make those teams and race well there. Then 2020 will be right around the corner, and if I have my wish, I’ll be back in the 1500m again.

OFM: The debut of the Orlando City Pride women’s soccer club has ignited a passion for athletics in many young women throughout Greater Orlando. What advice would you have for younger athletes who have an eye on literally following in your footsteps as a professional runner?

JS: I know you hear it all the time, but you really have to love what you do. I am able to train through bad weather, be patient through injuries, and bounce back from disappointment because I love racing and seeing how much better I can be. Also, learn to be a good teammate. So much of our experiences in life are determined by relationships. Learn to be a good teammate early and your joy in sports will be multiplied.

OFM: Given our proximity to the place, we kind of have to ask: Did your Rio performance earn you an athletic victory trip to Walt Disney World? If not, any plans on hitting up the place soon on your own accord, or are you too busy training?

JS: I’m going to Disney in November with my family! I missed out celebrating a lot of family birthdays and milestones this year, so we’re all going to Disney so I can catch up and celebrate them all at once.