Olympic Runner Noah Lyles Reveals He Grew Up in a “Super Strict” Cult

As a follower deeply moved by Noah Lyles‘ compelling narrative, I can’t help but admire his resilience and spiritual journey. Growing up in such a restrictive environment, under the veil of what appears to be a controlling organization, must have been challenging. Yet, he found the courage to break free, learn from his experiences, and forge his own path.


Noah Lyles is reflecting on his family history. 

The Olympic sprinter, who took home a gold and a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 games, detailed his religious upbringing in an environment he described as a “cult.”

In an episode of the “Everyone Wants To Be Us” podcast on August 12, he joked about his past, stating, “As a matter of fact, I spent my childhood in a group that had cult-like characteristics.” He then added with a chuckle, “It wasn’t quite as extreme as ‘Come, drink the Kool-Aid,’ but it was very regimented.”

The 27-year-old, who made headlines for managing to secure a bronze medal in the 200m dash after testing positive for COVID, went on to describe some of the unnamed organization’s rules. 

He clarified, “Every mother was responsible for home-schooling their children, while the father led the household.” He continued, “In our church, the rules dictated who you could and couldn’t court. If marriage was on the horizon, it had to be sanctioned by us.”

Over time, I found myself drawn to the need for change within my surroundings. This decision was not made lightly, as it involved my dear family – my parents Kevin Lyles and Keisha Caine – who were equally eager for a fresh start. Together, we embarked on a journey towards a new environment, seeking growth and opportunity.

He went on to explain, “We relocated to North Carolina because we intended to establish another church. However, we discovered they also planned to do the same, but they desired to be in charge. Consequently, we decided to leave that situation. That experience certainly altered my perspective on churches, and it undoubtedly had a negative impact on my mother’s view as well.”

Despite the fact that his mother finds it hard to trust any organized religion, she continues to hold onto her belief system, a decision that has significantly bolstered his own faith as well.

Noah mentioned, “That principle was ingrained in me at a young age, which made my path smoother.” He continued, “People often ponder, ‘Is there truly a God?’ What I found profound is when I was young she told me, ‘When your faith falters, ask for a sign.’ And he will give you that sign.”

As a lifestyle guide, I’d say: While I, myself, am deeply rooted in my Christian faith, I no longer adhere strictly to the guidelines set by any particular organized religion. Instead, I strive to embody the teachings and values that resonate most deeply with me on my personal spiritual journey.

“I don’t have time to go to church every weekend,” he laughed. “I’ve got to run.”

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2024-08-16 21:47