Me vs. Me - Abbie Taddeo

When it comes to the grind at the highest level of Australian domestic track & field, there’s not many more than like it as much, and perform as consistently, as Abbie Taddeo.

The Penny Gillies-coached star enters her 11^th season in arguably the best shape of her career, both mentally and physically, with momentum courtesy of an 11.7 wind-assisted 100m at last Saturday’s Illawong High Velocity meet.

We caught up with the six-time NSW 60m Champion, returning to one of her favourite meets of the year, to chat about what’s in the water with NSW sprinting, some exciting announcements from down south, and her life off the track looking as positive as her future on it.

James Constantine (JC): There’s not many athletes going around at the moment that can say they’ve been a 6x Champion in the same NSW Open Championship event. You’ve taken out the NSW 60m title in most years of your 20’s – 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and last season. Can you describe this love affair you’ve developed with 7-second sprint, and what brings you back to Wollongong literally every year to lace up once again for the Illawarra Track Challenge?

Abbie Taddeo (AT): I love it for many reasons, the most obvious one of it being at my home track. It gives my family and friends opportunity to come watch me race. There’s no room from mistakes - you have to be quick out & nail your (on average) 30 steps in just 7 secs. The event comes with a lot of pressure, and I love pressure.

JC: We often hear about the ladies running some incredible times in Queensland, however there’s a trio that’s going pretty well in Illawong right now as well. Can you tell us a bit about your clubmates in Monique Quirk & Jess Thornton, and what’s just clicking right now not only within the club itself, but also these continually amazing High Velocity meets – in terms of depth and times – that are happening right now? In your opinion, what’s making the very best in NSW consistently turn up?

AT: Illawong has always been up there with Sydney University & U.T.S. Northern Suburbs, but I think the biggest thing has been the support they show there athletes on many levels. It’s a small club and they do such a great job at making it very personable for each athlete and their achievements. They are willing to work to the athletes’ advantage by switching the track around to suit conditions and give athletes the best opportunity to run fast.
 

JC: “It’s a PB I’m stoked in a messy race” & “there’s room for improvement” is what you said to David Tarbotton after taking out last year’s NSW 100m Hurdles title in 13.02. You also mentioned that your flat speed was a little bit of an unknown at that stage. Having that 11.7 (windy) under your belt as your first run of the season, and a great chance to have a couple of quick runs this weekend, is this the season where we see Abbie Taddeo go sub-13, get back on that national podium, and hurdle her way into the green & gold for Budapest [2023 World Athletics Championships]?

AT: That’s always been the goal & that goal remains the same. I know I just need to be patient & my race and time will come.



Abbie Taddeo receiving the NSW Gold Championship Medal after winning the 2022 NSW 100m Hurdles Championship in a PB of 13.02. Credit: Natalie Wong / @beyond_theroad_

JC: The Maurie Plant Meet – a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold Meet (with a prize pool of US$200,000) has the sprint hurdles as part of a very exciting event program. I’m assuming this would be right on your radar to secure a lane, and if so, what would it mean to take part in a competition of this nature. And more generally, having meets/athletes of this calibre for arguably the first time in quite some years in Australia, what’s your view on how it may affect fan engagement with our sport? (Oh, and we also hope you’re running Sydney Track Classic as well, of course!)

AT: That’s my plan, to race Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane. I think it is a great opportunity for Australia to have a Gold Tour in their own backyard. It gives us athletes the opportunity to set up phase 2 of our season post nationals. We usually have to jump on a plane and travel 24 hours to get any type of this calibre of competition. I also think it will be a great opportunity to also put Athletics on the map for Australia & let follow Australians have a little insight into us & get to know us athletes a little bit more. It’s always so nice to receive a message saying “I looked up your results, but how can I watch the race” so I hope this is the opportunity for Athletics to get more TV rights so fans, friends and family can watch us compete in the comfort of their own home, or better still know when we are racing in certain states they can come watch and we can get some big crowds.

JC: Outside of athletics for a second – you’ve had a big last 12 months. You’ve co-founded a Health, Fitness and Coaching Business which seemingly is doing great, you’ve spoken openly on social life and surrounding yourself with positive people, and you’ve got a new motto. Me vs. Me. I love all of it! Can you elaborate a little more on everything that was happening off the track in 2022 and how you feel like you’re approaching 2023? Who is you then, and who is you now?

I’ve had a crazy back end of 2022 off the track, 6 months ago my best friend and I launched our business (Empower Your Health). It is all things, Training, Nutrition & Holistic health. I’ve been working in the health and fitness industry since the age of 15, there’s a lot of miss conception & inaccurate advice and our goal for Empower Your Health is to educate individuals on a holistic level that no matter if you’re at an elite level or training to stay healthy, goals CAN be achieved with the right guidance & more importantly correct advice. Training & Nutrition doesn’t have to be a chore as most individuals might view it, we want individuals to see how far they can push themselves but also feel good doing so, fixing their relationships in all aspects of their life & ensuring they are putting themselves in positive environments. With my experience in the elite area I also want to give back to other elite athletes who are up and coming with the advice and guidance I didn’t have growing up, so with that that being said this is WHY for Empower Your Health.

My Me vs. Me attitude comes from many places. But I think the biggest reason why I have this attitude is because life can be cruel sometimes but if you only compete against yourself and try and be a better individual everyday not comparing yourself to other people or situations then you’re always winning.

JC: Finally – a highlight of every NSW 100m Hurdles title, and every Open Women’s 100m Hurdle race for the last 11 seasons, is yourself and Michelle. You’ve gone head-to-head a staggering 62 times over that period (there’s one for #TarbyStats!). Do you love the match-up as much as those watching it do, and have you got another 62 matchups in you?

Wow, I can’t believe it’s been that many to be honest! (Thanks Tarby)

AT: Michelle and I have a great level of respect for one another and friendship. We love competing against each other, we have been doing so for the past 11 years. So as long as my body is still allowing me to run fast and I’m still improving I love any match up.

Written by James Constantine, with thanks to Abbie Taddeo for her time.
Media enquiries can be directed to jamesconstantine@nswathletics.org.au.

Cover Photo & Article Image – Natalie Wong / @beyond_theroad_