Olympic Gold Medalist Noah Lyles Says He Grew Up In A "Super Strict" Cult

3 months ago

If you watched the 2024 Summer Olympics, you likely saw runner Noah Lyles take home the gold medal for the U.S. in the Men's 100m.

Noel Miller smiles in front of an Omega backdrop. He is dressed in a stylish jacket with pearl embellishments, a white shirt, and light-patterned pants

During a recent episode of the Everybody Wants to Be Us podcast, Noah revealed that he grew up in a cult. Yes, really.

“I actually grew up in a cult,” he said. “It was a cult. It just wasn’t at the level of, ‘Yeah, okay. We’re gonna drink the Kool-Aid.'"

Athlete holding a silver medal, wearing a mask and a blue Team USA jacket during an award ceremony at a sporting event

Noah claims that the cult was "super strict" and placed a strong emphasis on homeschooling — and it also pushed the shared belief that "the father was the head of the household."

Noah Lyles in a USA uniform, running during an athletics event, with a focused expression

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He also said that the church his family attended would tell you who you could — and couldn't — be in a relationship with, up to who you could marry.

Noah Lyles, wearing a USA athletic uniform, sits on the ground holding a water bottle with a coach or medical personnel assisting him

What's more, after his family left the cult and moved to North Carolina, they joined another church only to find that "they wanted to do the same thing."

Noah Lyles on the track in a USA jersey, wearing a race bib with "LYLES" at an athletic event

"So, we left that, but that kind of really messed up my view of church and it definitely messed up my mom’s view," he explained.

Noah Lyles looks focused in athletic gear during a track and field event.

Noah went on to say that it took his mother "a long time" to move forward after their experiences. "Even now, she still struggles to trust churches in general, but she never lost her faith in the religion and I think instilled that in us," he said.

Noah Lyles, wearing a USA uniform, competes in a track event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Another runner in a blue Italy uniform is visible in the background

"It made it easier for me to go throughout my own journey."

A man, wearing a tracksuit adorned with an American flag patch, is smiling widely during what appears to be an athletic event. His hair is styled with braids

You can listen to the entire episode here.

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