Olympian-turned-model Alysha Newman on self-belief and inspiring others to find their own 'gold star'

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Canadian Olympic pole vaulter Alysha Newman turned heads at last summer's Paris Games, going viral for a celebratory dance after winning the bronze medal.

Newman cleared 4.85 meters to earn the first Olympic medal of her career.

The athlete-turned-model and influencer is now offering advice to those who aspire to follow in her footsteps.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Bronze medalist Alysha Newman of Team Canada reacts after the women's pole vault final at the Paris Olympic Games on Aug. 7, 2024. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Newman began by reflecting on the early life experiences that helped shape her into the person she is today.

"In grade school, I once got the right answer on a test but didn’t use the method my teacher wanted. She wouldn’t give me the gold star, but she did give it to other kids who got the same answer," Newman told Maxim.

AMERICAN NOAH LYLES WINS FOURTH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 200M TITLE TO MATCH USAIN BOLT'S HISTORIC RECORD

"So while everyone else went to recess, I went into her desk, liberated a gold star from her drawer, and put that gold star on my paper all by myself. It’s sad how much we hope and wait for someone else to give us the gold star we want—friends, colleagues, a partner, or even strangers." 

Alysha Newman celebrates her bronze medal and poses with the Canadian flag at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 7, 2024. (Aytac Unal/Anadolu via Getty Images)

She added that aspirational individuals should avoid seeking validation from others and instead lean on their own self-confidence.

"That’s my advice: Don’t wait for the world to give you permission. Don’t wait for someone else to validate