Written by Trackandmemes, on 26 May 2023
After facing a wall for several years, unable to go under 12 seconds over 100m, Callie is now one of the fastest in Belgium in this discipline, having run in 11'' 62 at the French-speaking Belgian championships.
Explain this sudden transition, or should I say progression, which has been marked by a change of coach.
Since Covid, I've had a few injuries. I've had to change coaches twice and I've also started university. It took me a while to find the right balance and juggle school and athletics, which isn't easy. But since the start of this season, I've been training with François Gourmet. I also have a second coach, Erwin Desmetwho follows me when I'm at MOHA. And everything has gone well since we started. I had a back problem, but we managed to alleviate it. The preparation also went well, and the indoor was already shaping up to be a good one, with me beating my record for the first time in 11’’ 84 at a meeting.
It's true that I was looking forward to the outdoor season, but I wasn't expecting to achieve the goals we'd set with the coaches so quickly.
How was your work placement in Tenerife?
I went to Nerja for ten days with Liefde, Mimoun, Jacob and other people from their group. It went really well. It was really cool, we had a lot of fun and trained really well.
And in terms of your relationship with your coach at the moment, is there anything really positive to highlight?
François is a great coach, he adapts very easily to his athletes. Given that he's in Seraing and I train in Mons or Brussels, we don't see each other very often. But he's always available and ready to listen, so I don't feel I don't see him very often. I'm also very lucky that Erwin and François get on well. They have the same vision of things, which is pretty cool. I also have a great training group at MOHAIt's a group you never get bored with. And I've managed to find a good association that really suits me in terms of organising my training plans with my coaches and my classes.
Where are you at with your studies at the moment?
It's exam time so it's not the best time hahahaha. I'm studying business economics in Brussels.
And as far as the future is concerned, I'm finding it very hard to project myself into it. I hope that in 5 years' time I'll have almost finished my studies and that I'll have succeeded in achieving the goals I've set myself.
What's your favourite series?
I have several favourite series, so I'd have to say Gossip Girl, Murder and Grey's Anatomy. My favourite character is Annalies Keating in Murder. I think she's an example. Whatever happens to her, she tries to find a solution and deal with it. Despite all the difficulties that have happened to her, she's always kept going so that she can achieve her goals.
If you hadn't chosen athletics as your sport, who would you have chosen to become?
I can't imagine a life without sport. I would have played tennis or volleyball to try team sport.
In athletics, as we know, athletes often face a few difficulties. But lucky are those who are really well supported. If you had to pass on a message to someone, what would it be, and to whom?
The message I would pass on is to the me of a few years ago. I'd tell him that despite all the obstacles that may come his way, as long as you think you haven't yet achieved what you want to achieve, keep going. Even if it's hard, keep going. We all have doubts, but with determination, hard work and patience... Who knows what might happen? And above all, don't forget that you're surrounded by great people and that you can count on them.
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