Built on Belief: Natalie Block's Journey Forward
 
Few athletes in Milwaukee history have resumes as impressive as Natalie Block's. A national qualifier and Second Team All-American in the 400m hurdles, Block is also a two-time regional qualifier and a multi-time Horizon League champion in the 60m, 100m, and 400m hurdles, with additional titles in both the 400m and the pentathlon. She has earned multiple Outstanding Performer of the Meet honors and is a three-time Alfreeda Goff Athlete of the Year. Add in back-to-back Milwaukee Female Student-Athlete of the Year awards and 15 Horizon League Athlete of the Week selections, and it is clear why Block is one of the most decorated Panthers ever to step on the track.

Going into her final collegiate season, the Roar Report sat down with Block to discuss her future and professional athlete aspirations:
 
THE FINAL SEASON
 
What is your confidence level going into this final season with the Panthers?
Block: I would say my confidence is fine. I'm just giving it to you God at this point. I'm just going to roll with that, you know, because there's almost nothing else to say. He's got it.
 
Did earning All-American status last season change your goals or expectations for this season?
Block: No. Of course I want to push my abilities. So, I think this will naturally place me higher in the NCAA rankings. Goals are naturally what I've set from myself. I don't know if the All-American status really changed my perspective. I think it was a nice little addition. My goal is executing what I need to execute, so I can get the sponsorship from the brand. I need to somehow get seen by brands. That's the ultimate goal. it's just making sure I get the viewership from whatever brand supports me right and sees the discipline that I have. Even with all the injuries and setbacks that I've had, I'm still going.
 
Does this final season feel different from the others?
Block: No…I know Milwaukee is home. Milwaukee is by my name always and that is not going to change.
 
MOTIVATION AND IDENTITY
 
What motivates you to be great?
Block: "I feel like there was a point in life where I decided that something had to change. I knew what that change and lifestyle should be, and it pointed to track. I got so addicted to it and so motivated to improve … having discipline is going to beat the talent every single time."
 
Has overcoming adversity changed how you see competition or your identity as an athlete?
Block: I'm starting to realize that training is not supposed to be too exhausting. There are times that you're going to have to dig. Don't get me wrong. You're going to face some trialing times, but I think I have changed my perspective because of that. I changed in that I understand taking care of my body. I got so low, and it reminded me that there are phases and seasons to you as a person. Heading into this season, I think I know God a little bit better. Better than if were to be asked questions about him two years ago. I would definitely thank him for the adversity, I have this gift and I get to run; that is super important to me.
 
Was there ever a specific moment when you questioned whether you'd keep going? What pushed you through?
Block: When I had my major injury and had surgery done, it did make me question things. With that injury, I feel like questions came about because of all the adversities. Is this telling me that this career is not going to work? Is this a shift in my path? I want my job to be running track, and I'm going to accomplish that however long that takes. This past year, it got pretty intense. I finally made nationals, but then I came up short and had the surgery. I come back this year, make nationals and place 12th. I took a lot of pride in that. But there are professionals that are faster than me. I just have to keep growing. With these injuries, setbacks, and health concerns, I felt like I put a lot above my faith in God. God gave me these gifts, and I am still getting the next opportunity to run again. It is meant for me because he hasn't taken it away. Yes, I got injured, but that doesn't mean it was taken away. It made me recircle back to him and understand that he's the one in charge. I'm not the one that is going to force it. It's not me to do that. That's going to be on him.
 
COACHING AND TURNING POINTS
 
What role has Coach Basler played in your resilience and growth during your Milwaukee career?
Block: "Basler has always been there for me, and he has helped me a lot throughout my career. I was originally a multi-event athlete, and I've been coached by Basler for so long. He wasn't going to have me switch coaches when I switched to hurdles because he knows me so well as an athlete. I always told Basler that I'm a fighter. I'm going to fight through adversity, and he would take my word for it. He would say, 'I'm not going to let you give up on this one' and 'I'm going to have you fight through this'. That is something that has always stuck with me. I know I have a good coach by my side."
 
When did you first know you could compete with some of the best athletes in the country. Was there a specific moment?
Block: There was a changing moment that I had during my freshman year at Milwaukee. It was a breakthrough moment for being a freshman in the Horizon League because I was a multi at that time. I was having the load of the heptathlon and the hurdle events on the side. I remember I was seeded sixth or something in the 100 hurdles and I just popped off and I won. Coach Basler just freaked out. He was like, 'this is going to be good'. I think that was when that started rolling. With track in general, the switch just flipped junior year of high school when I made state. I think that it flipped then from a life standpoint.
 
THE FUTURE AND PROFESSIONAL ASPIRATIONS
 
What does the next step in your career look like after Milwaukee?
Block: I'm going to have to walk blindly. I have been on LinkedIn reaching out to people and making connections. I'm going to trust God's timing when he's going to insert that and when it's right for me. I do truly believe that when that time comes, it'll present itself. Life has those ways of just working out like that. I believe that it'll work out somehow. It's all our first shots at life. You just have to figure it out and keep praying.
 
Do you expect your work ethic or approach to change when transitioning from college to professional track?
Block: It might be a little bit easier…not as much pressure because the collegiate season just forces you to keep going every single weekend. Once I enter the professional world, I can really prioritize my health. You can enter competitions based on where you are in your training phase. It enhances the details of things. A lot of schools just run these athletes into the ground, but Coach Basler doesn't. He's going to do what it takes. We always focus on our end goal: USAs, and then we work backwards. So, with that, spring is our main goal.
 
If you had to pitch yourself to a future agent, what would you say?
Block: Look at my timeline and my progression. Look at how I faced all the difficulties and the injuries and how I still stepped onto the line with the professionals, with the top athletes. I'm coming from not as big of a school compared to other athletes. Look at what I have faced and how far I've come.
 
What are you most excited about for life after this season both on and off the track?
Block: I would really like to have a brand by my side. In worst case, if God decided that the timing is not right, we'll have it at a certain time. I'd rather have a brand that truly supports me and loves me and sees the goals I have for myself. Through networking, I met with a guy, and he said, 'I've literally just met you and I just feel it seeping out of you'. I want them to see that because that is how I am. I'm not going to give up on it.
 
HER LEGACY
 
What do you hope people will remember about you long after your last race in a Milwaukee uniform?
Block: I didn't give up.