Wellness

Gabby Thomas Launches ‘Track Like Gabby’ in Austin to Promote Affordable Blood Testing

The three-time Olympic gold medalist and Harvard graduate brings her passion for health equity to Austin through accessible blood testing initiative

By Avery Toomes
Photos courtesy of H-E-B
January 13, 2026

Gabby Thomas, an Olympic gold medalist in Track and Field, partners with BetterWay to promote affordable pathways to routine blood testing. (Photo courtesy of H-E-B)

Gabby Thomas believes health care should empower patients, not overwhelm them — and the three-time Olympic gold medalist is putting her platform behind that vision. On Jan. 10, BetterWay hosted Live Well, Your Way Day, a meet-and-greet with Thomas at the South Congress H-E-B to launch “Track Like Gabby,” her campaign with BetterWay that aims to make blood testing and preventative health care more accessible. The initiative encourages people to take control of their health through affordable, routine blood testing. Instead of taking vials of blood, BetterWay by Babson Diagnostics only needs a finger prick, removing fears over needles and having blood drawn. The service offers significantly lower costs than most out-of-pocket prices for routine bloodwork, with locations throughout Austin.

Gabby Thomas discusses the importance of routine blood testing at Live Well, Your Way Day at the South Congress H-E-B. (Photo courtesy of H-E-B)

From track to public health

Thomas’ expertise in health extends far beyond the track. She holds a bachelor’s degree in neurobiology and global health from Harvard University and a master’s degree in public health from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She credits both her academic training and lived experience with shaping her advocacy.

“Those courses and my background as a Black woman really motivated me to pursue my master’s in public health, where I got an even stronger foundation in the importance of health care and access,” Thomas said.

For Thomas, the question was never whether to help others, but how. “I asked myself, ‘How can I give back to my community? How can I leave society better than I found it?’” she said.

Her motivation also grew from personal frustration with the health care system. “It was making appointments, having really long wait times and getting my results and not feeling satisfied or like I had a complete hold on my own health,” she said. “I didn’t feel like I had control over my health and knowledge the way I wanted to. And as an athlete, that’s really important to me.”

Gabby Thomas with the H-E-B team. (Photo courtesy of H-E-B)

Gabby Thomas poses with BetterWay team. (Photo courtesy of H-E-B)

Her health journey

The turning point came in 2022, when an MRI for a hamstring injury revealed a mass in her back. What followed were months of doctor visits and navigating a health care system she said felt stacked against patients.

“An Olympian like me has access to every resource and doctor needed to make this process as convenient as possible, and it still wasn’t,” she said.

Since moving to Austin, volunteering at a local health care clinic has further deepened her commitment to improving access. “Seeing real lives and real people, and understanding what they needed — what we all need — made it clear how achievable accessible health care can be,” Thomas said. “That’s why a partnership like BetterWay means so much to me. It’s one thing to talk about change, and another to take action.”

The Live Well, Your Way Day offered vendors that promoted healthy living, including BetterWay. (Photo courtesy of H-E-B) — The Live Well, Your Way Day had vendors that promoted healthy living, including BetterWay. (Photo courtesy of H-E-B)

Knowing your baseline

Without routine blood testing, people miss the opportunity to establish a baseline understanding of their health, Thomas said. Tracking those markers allows individuals to better understand how their bodies respond to diet, fitness and lifestyle changes, replacing guesswork with data-driven decisions. Over time, that awareness makes it easier to recognize patterns and identify when something feels off, prompting proactive care rather than reactive treatment.

“The less we can guess and the more we know, the better we can make informed decisions,” Thomas said.

Looking ahead, she hopes routine blood testing becomes a standard part of preventive care, giving people convenient access to their health information and the confidence to take ownership of it.

Gabby Thomas raises awareness of the benefits of routine blood testing. (Photo courtesy of H-E-B)

Beyond the track

As she looks ahead, Thomas is balancing what’s next with what brought her here. She plans to cheer on friends at the upcoming Winter Olympics, particularly in speed skating, snowboarding and Alpine skiing, and confirmed she intends to return to the track for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Austin remains central to that journey. It’s where Thomas began her professional running career and the only city she has known as a professional track athlete.

As she prepares for her next Olympic run, Thomas is also focused on helping others take ownership of their health. Through Track Like Gabby, she aims to put more power into patients’ hands.