We’re looking forward to introducing you to Hayley Manners. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Hayley, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Trying new things! Ever since officially being post-grad and finishing my time as a collegiate athlete, I’ve had the opportunity to get out and do things I didn’t have time to do before. Anything from new workout classes like pilates, traveling to different cities, and going to new coffee shops. I’ve really enjoyed also connecting with new people and spending time with loved ones!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I like to think of myself as a multifaceted creative. I am never only pursuing one thing at any given time, there are always ideas and new projects flowing! To start, I am a former D1 long jumper at the University of Central Florida, and am beginning my pro career this fall. I am also a graduate of the Devos sports business management program at UCF, and I now work in PR and sports marketing. I am a creator that posts lifestyle, sports and beauty-related content on social media about navigating life post grad. And finally, I started an organization called ProTrackletes, that aims to help collegiate-level track and field athletes make the transition to the professional circuit.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One of the most catalyzing events in my life to date was sustaining a season-ending injury tearing my Achilles. When I first got to UCF, I was in the best shape of my life, entering what was supposed to be my final year of NCAA athletics. Unfortunately, in an inter-squad meet just before the season started, I got injured and was forced to sit out all year. This experience really helped me realize that there was so much more to the world than just track and field, and being an athlete in general. Almost my entire life has been shaped by and surrounded by athletics, and although it was a devastating injury, it was a turning point in my life that allowed me to explore who Hayley Manners was as a person, not just an athlete.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
During the same time as my injury, I finally decided that I was going to start posting content on social media and taking it seriously. It had always been a dream of mine to start a YouTube channel, to go to events as a influencer, and live that kind of life. I was afraid of looking cringy, embarrassing myself and being worried people around me would judge me for sharing details of my life online. However, once I was injured and literally had all the time in the world to take on new hobbies, I figured out a plan to start documenting my recovery journey and it absolutely took off. So many people resonated with my journey, both the ups and downs of recovering from a major injury in sport. I took this hard time in my life and turned it into my superpower, and I don’t know where I’d be today if I hadn’t taken the risk!
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
100%. I pride myself on being truly authentic through my social media and how I present myself in person. You’ll see me on good days, bad days, and everything in between. I will say, that somedays it’s harder to post the “real” content rather than just purely highlights, but I believe that it’s helped me build trust with my audience and the brands that I work with.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope that people would remember me for my character. How I treated others, how I showed up for them, how I inspired them. I truly value the relationships that I have with people in my life, whether it’s immediate family, friends, coworkers, teammates, or even people I’ve only interacted with once. I want people to remember me as someone that cared and was there for them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hayleymanners.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayley.manners/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayleymanners/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkLJ3OoI6DncbvQLGr6fj6A
- Other: My organization’s website: https://protrackletes.com/
