Grant Holloway is a powerhouse: the #1 Men’s 110m Hurdles World Ranking holder, 1x Olympic champion, 3x World champion, and 1x Olympic silver medalist. But behind every race, every victory, is the support of his father, Stan Holloway. You might be wondering, how does a father without athletic gifts shape a world-class champion?
Well, Stan may not have had the same physical abilities, but he had something even more powerful: belief in his son. He was there every step of the way, meeting with coaches, making sure Grant was on track, and pushing him to dream bigger. But how was that possible for a man serving in the military? Just recently, Grant opened up about the major impact his father had on his journey to success.
On the Ready, Set, Go podcast with Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green, Grant Holloway opened up about just how much his father’s influence shaped his career, even while balancing a demanding 20-year service in the U.S. Navy. “My dad is a military guy. So, like, regardless, he just sees the straight and narrow,” Grant said. But it wasn’t just about discipline. Stan’s involvement went way deeper than showing up, coaching, and guiding his sons even when life pulled him elsewhere.
Though Stan didn’t have the same athletic gifts as Grant, his love for sports was undeniable. He coached both Grant and his brother, Trey, in track and field until high school, running the Track 757 club. One pivotal moment Grant recalled was when his dad spoke up to a coach, saying, “He’s not ready for the seven-step.” That level of involvement wasn’t by accident. “My granddad wasn’t really involved in my dad’s life, so it was important for my dad to be involved in my life regardless,” Grant shared. Even with deployments and military duties, Stan made it a priority to be there for his sons — at meets, games, and camps — the moments that mattered.
Of course, young Grant Holloway didn’t always appreciate the advice right away. One of Stan’s favorite sayings was, “You’ve got to wait a moment for your moment.” Grant respected it so much, he had it tattooed on his hand. But at the time? “Some of the stuff he says I never really understood or could reciprocate because I was immature and young,” Grant admitted. A perfect example was his dad’s insistence on resting on Sundays. “I’m like, what am I resting for, man? I got to go run these routes, do this ladder, get these extra laps in,” Grant laughed. Years later, the wisdom clicked: “Now I’m like, I need to go take a nap on this Sunday.”
Stan’s military background definitely shaped how he raised his sons, but it wasn’t all about being tough. It was about being present, guiding with care, and protecting them from burnout. His words, his discipline, and even the small life lessons stayed with Grant. “Between him and my agents at the time, they would always tell me, ‘You’re not ready for that. Like, sit down,” Grant said. That firm but loving approach helped Grant Holloway stay grounded, mature, and focused — even when the spotlight got brighter.
And that’s exactly the kind of bond Grant hopes other kids get to experience, too. Through all the medals and records, the foundation remains the same — a father’s belief, patience, and presence, no matter how busy life gets. But it wasn’t always easy. His struggles might’ve knocked him down for good if his mom, Latasha, hadn’t been there.
Grant Holloway’s mom turned his setback into a comeback
Grant Holloway’s journey to Olympic glory wasn’t some smooth sprint—it was filled with hurdles, literally and figuratively. Growing up in Chesapeake, Virginia, Grant was introduced to track by his father, Stan, at just 11. Discipline? Non-negotiable. Toughness? Mandatory. Training alongside his brother, Trey sparked a fierce sibling rivalry that shaped his mindset: “If I can beat my brother, I can beat anybody else.” But talent alone didn’t punch his ticket. Twice, in 2015 & 2016, he narrowly missed making the U.S. under-20 team. Ouch.
But instead of folding, Grant embraced the grind with his signature mantra: “Risk it for the biscuit.” His parents had his back—Stan with the structure, Latasha with the heart. Her advice? “Surround yourself with positivity.” Words he’d hold onto, especially when the world got noisy. That noise hit hard after a rough sixth-place finish at the Paris Diamond League. Confidence shaken, self-doubt creeping in—his parents could see it. Stan noticed the missing spark; Latasha reminded him, Perfection isn’t real; bad days happen.
But when Grant Holloway finally struck gold at the 2023 World Championships (and again in Paris 2024), it wasn’t just a win—it was a moment of belief. His mom summed it up perfectly: “We always knew it was in him. He just had to believe it for himself.” And Grant’s words? Straight from the heart: “Even when I didn’t believe in myself, they still believed in me.” What? Yes. That’s the power of family, right there.
The post “Never Really Understood”: Grant Holloway Reveals Major Help From Father Despite Busy Armed Forces Commitment appeared first on EssentiallySports.
