Channel 5 Feature: Dr. Lehman and Dawn Harper‑Nelson Talk Peak Performance

Second Fastest in the World at 33, You Can’t Get Better Than That!

In an inspiring Channel 5 News segment, Olympic gold medalist Dawn Harper-Nelson shares her story of perseverance, elite performance, and hometown pride, offering insights from Dr Rick Lehman, an orthopedic specialist at Lehman Joint and Performance, who has worked with her since high school.

Dawn, a proud native of East St. Louis, shocked the world by claiming the silver medal in the 100m hurdles at the World Championships in Rome, at 33 years old. In a sport where athletes typically peak in their 20s, this is virtually unheard of.

“That would be like Albert Pujols hitting 50 home runs at 50,” said Dr. Lehman. “It just doesn’t happen.”

Dr. Rick Lehman

Watch the Full Segment

Dawn’s Journey: Grit, Grace, and Greatness

• Raised in East St. Louis, Dawn brings her roots to every race, even asking Nike to customize her spikes with “East Boogie” and “City of Champions.”
• A UCLA All-American and Olympic gold medalist, she’s no stranger to the podium but never stops pushing limits.
• Despite not being the favourite at the 2008 Olympics, she stunned the world by winning gold, proving she was the best in the game!

Her mindset? As she puts it, “you have to approach each and every one of those hurdles with a sense of insanity”. Demonstrating the willingness to hit barrier after barrier and still push forward.

Dr. Lehman’s Role: Supporting Elite Performance

Dr. Lehman has worked with Dawn since her high school days. His role has never just been about treating injuries, it’s about keeping champions at their peak through:

• Injury prevention
• Performance optimization
• Managing health conditions under intense physical stress

When Dawn experienced serious blood pressure complications, Dr. Lehman was one of her advocates who worked closely with her to ensure the condition was properly evaluated and managed. His involvement helped clarify the medical necessity of her treatment during a brief competition suspension related to medication use, allowing her to safely return to elite competition.

The Bigger Picture

Dawn’s story isn’t just about medals. It’s about longevity, grit, and working with the right team to compete at the highest level, well beyond what most think is possible!

Whether you’re an Olympic hurdler or someone striving to stay active and strong into your 30s, 40s, or beyond, Lehman Joint and Performance offers the same forward-thinking, high-performance care to help you move better, feel better, and perform at your best.

Want to Elevate Your Performance?

From elite athletes to weekend warriors, Dr. Rick Lehman and his team deliver innovative sports medicine and orthopedic care for every stage of your active life. To start moving better and healing smarter, contact Dr. Lehman today.