Exclusive: I’m done! Noah Lyles Reveals He’s ‘Living Out_My Dream’ with a New Side Hustle Off the Track is better than work you already seen about me” if you must know_ I have more than a million of…
Noah Lyles Reveals He’s ‘Living Out My Dream’ with a New Side Hustle Off the Track
Noah Lyles is already known around the world for his blazing speed on the track and top-tier medal count. But in a recent exclusive at New York City Comic Con, the seven-time world champion opened up about a lesser-known yet deeply personal venture: a side hustle that merges his athletic identity with his lifelong passion for anime and fashion. In his own words, it’s “living out my dream.”
A Track Star with Creative Vision
At 28 years old, Lyles has already cemented his place among track & field’s elite. He just claimed his fourth consecutive gold medal in the men’s 200-meter event at the World Athletics Championships—tying him with Usain Bolt in that rare achievement. Yet he has always been about more than splits and podiums; he’s someone who wants his legacy to cross arenas.
That’s what makes this new venture so meaningful. At Comic Con, he revealed a collaboration with Crunchyroll and Adidas: an anime-inspired capsule collection that combines the visual storytelling of Japanese pop culture with performance and streetwear.
Lyles told PEOPLE, “It’s everything that I probably could want … usually track athletes don’t really get merch of their own.” He wrestled with dreams when he was younger. “When I was a kid, I was like, ‘Oh yeah, I’m going to actually make my own anime. I’m going to be a manga artist,’ and all this other stuff,” he recalled. “Things just turned out differently, but here, I’m still living out my dream.”
From Childhood Fandom to Artistic Expression
Lyles’ love for anime, manga, and pop culture is not a new chapter—it’s a foundational part of who he is. He traced his fascination back to sleepovers in his youth, when friends would sneak in late-night episodes of Dragon Ball Z on Toonami and get hooked on the storytelling, drama, and vibrancy of the medium. Over time, that fandom grew more than passive—it crept into his identity.
His connection with the anime community has been visible during his athletic travels. Fans would gift him anime figurines, posters, blankets, and more after races—so much so that he joked about needing extra suitcases just to take home the collection. That kind of organic, grassroots support from a subculture he genuinely loves motivated him to formalize a creative project that bridges his two worlds.
The Collection: Speed Meets Storytelling
What can fans expect from this collection? The line is being called “high-velocity”—a clever play on movement, energy, and Lyles’ identity as a sprinter. Designs combine iconic anime motifs (think bold lines, vivid color palettes, stylized characters) with athletic tailoring and branding that references speed, motion, and narrative arcs.
In earlier press coverage, the collaboration was said to include essentials like tees, hoodies, hats—pieces that are wearable both in casual and performance contexts. It’s not just about slapping anime logos on gear; the aim is to integrate the spirit of storytelling—of triumph, of transformation, of perseverance—into clothing that can be worn by everyday fans and fellow athletes alike.
Lyles sees it as more than just merch: it’s brand building, identity work, and legacy. He wants to show younger fans, especially those who straddle multiple interests (sports, gaming, comics), that you don’t have to silo yourself into one box.
Balancing Elite Performance & Entrepreneurial Drive
Of course, launching a creative side hustle while competing at the highest level isn’t simple. The demands of training, travel, competition, sponsorship obligations, and recovery leave little downtime. But for Lyles, this project isn’t simply extra—it’s symbiotic.
He told PEOPLE that, unlike many track stars, he’s excited to “create his own items” because “usually track athletes don’t really get merch of their own.” In that sense, the collaboration gives him agency over how his image is expressed off the track. It also opens the door for a future where his influence doesn’t rely solely on race results.
Moreover, with the sports industry evolving rapidly—new leagues emerging, athletes becoming more entrepreneurial—Lyles is positioning himself not just as a competitor, but as a cultural voice and brand architect.
What This Means for His Legacy
This venture feels like a pivot point—or perhaps a natural expansion—in the story of Noah Lyles. It’s a signal that his ambitions transcend medals. He’s exploring how to influence culture, how to build bridges between athleticism and artistry, and how to offer fans a tangible way to connect with his identity.
If the collection succeeds, it may encourage more athletes to embrace niche passions and creative pursuits—not just as endorsements but as genuine, expressive extensions of self.
As Lyles continues to chase gold on the track, he’s now also chasing something more personal: the chance to merge speed with storytelling, to let fashion amplify fandom, and to show the world that even elite athletes can have creative dreams too.
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