Office Hours: UCLA’s Joanna Hayes On Running It Back At Her Alma Mater, What Makes The Greats Great and Practicing “Aggressive Patience”

“I’m patient. I call it aggressively patient. I’m going hard for it all — but if it doesn’t happen, there’s still a process and I chip away for next time. That’s how you become a champion. You don’t just go out there and run and win. You have to have a journey and work hard. I’m always going hard.” Welcome back to Office Hours on the CITIUS MAG Podcast, where we explore the philosophy of the coaches who push the edges of human potential with some of the best athletes in track and field. Today's guest is someone who has climbed to some of the highest highs in the sport. Joanna Hayes is an Olympic gold medalist, a Hall of Famer, and currently the director of track and field and cross country at her alma mater UCLA. In 2024, she was named USATF's Coach of the Year — a recognition not just for her competitive pedigree, but her ability to cultivate greatness in others. She's coached legends like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Rai Benjamin, ushered in record-breaking seasons at both USC and UCLA, and she's done it all while remaining grounded in values of respect, discipline, family, and joy. In this conversation, we explore what success does and doesn't change about how she leads, what it feels like to return to the place where it all started, the realities of coaching both elite professionals and college athletes and how the two are more connected than you think. We talk about legacy, resilience, motherhood, and what it means to show up not just as a coach, but as a human being who makes space for culture, connection, and yes, sometimes TikToks and fresh fits. Coach Hayes's story is one of full circle moments and forward motion. She's creating a new chapter at UCLA and you'll hear in this conversation why it's one worth watching and rooting for. Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠ ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠ Guest: Joanna Hayes | @joannadhayes on Instagram SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS OLIPOP: Olipop is a prebiotic soda that tastes like a throwback to your favorite childhood drinks, but it's loaded with benefits that your body will thank you for. Each can has 2-5g of sugar, 6-9g of fiber, and a science-backed formula designed to help you support your digestive health. They've got plenty of flavor options like Classic Root Beer, Crisp Apple, Grape, Cream Soda and wild hits like Peaches and Cream. You can grab Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, and Walmart or you can go to ⁠DrinkOlipop.com and use promo code CITIUS25 at checkout for 25% off all of your orders⁠ . PILLAR PERFORMANCE: We all know that sleep is where the magic happens. That's when your body is rebuilding – but getting into those deeper stages of sleep is what makes the difference between just going to bed and actually recovering. Just mix in a scoop of water about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It's simple, it's clean, it's vegan, and NSF certified. If you're someone who takes their training and recovery seriously, this is something worth trying. Head to ⁠pillarperformance.shop⁠ , or if you're in North America, go to ⁠thefeed.com⁠ and use code CITIUS for 15% off your first purchase. GRAND SLAM TRACK: This isn't your average track meet. This is Grand Slam Track, where legends are made, records fall, and the stakes are high. After a sellout crowd in Miami and $100,000 awarded to each Slam champion, the league now heads to one of the most iconic stages in American track: Franklin Field in Philadelphia, May 30th-June 1st. Grab your tickets now at ⁠GrandSlamTrack.com⁠ and witness it all packed into one unforgettable weekend. VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS’ new active adjustable slide! Tired feet? VELOUS has you covered. VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. ⁠Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!