I wrestled with this one, but after reading Ato Boldon's list in my timeline about three times, I had to share a little bit of my own experience with a few of them. And for the record, I prefer calling them the Track & Field 10 Commandments - because I believe that they are words to live by.

It was 2008. I'd made an Olympic team and competed in the fasted 100M Olympic final in history (even though I got butt naked last) -- and everything was gravy -- or so I thought. I was at my nephew's state championship karate tournament with my then pregnant wife, and I got a phone call. "They aren't going to resign you."

Out of all of the noise in that arena, I never imagined that those words would come through so clearly. I sat there in shock, wondering what I did wrong. Not renewing me? Why? I'd made four teams, got four medals, won a national title....and the list goes on. But, there I was with no contract, a baby on the way, a mortgage to pay...life to live...you get the point.

Commandment #8: No one from that shoe company you love so much loves you. Romance with no finance is a nuisance. The more in love you are, the less you make.

After the dust settled, I "re-realized" that track and field is a business. Contracts are business. They're not (and never should be) personal. It's all a business. I always knew that, but the words didn't mean anything to me until they applied to me.

So what's the moral of the story? Do your job and your sponsors will do theirs. And, if your romance with them turns to business before you're ready don't get hard feelings. Respect the game for what it is, be grateful for the opportunities that you have while you still have them, and when it all ends, understand that life doesn't. Move on. It's all good.

Commandment #1: Save your money like you life depends on it (it does) and make it earn more while you are earning a lot of it. And yes, get a pro to do this. "Your cousin who's good with money" doesn't count.

When I signed with my agent, he gave me two pieces of advice. The first piece of advice was "save for a rainy day," and the second was "buy a house." Fortunately for me, I listened, because my rainy days did come.

Injuries sidelined me twice in my career - in 2005 and 2010 - and you know what got me through those injuries? My savings account. I was able to live off my savings for almost three years when I was unable to compete. And in track and field, when you don't compete, for the most part - you don't get paid. No rollovers, no bonuses, no appearance fees, no nothing. But I'll tell you what you DO get: a super clear understanding of what "reduction clause" means!

I'm joking, but seriously - there's a misconception out there that track athletes make the same kind of money that other professional athletes make. Now, some track folks are winning (and if you are, trust and believe I'm happy for you), but I think it's very fair to say that the majority of pro track athletes don't make anything close to that. The sad thing is, some of us are trying to live that lifestyle.

The truth of the matter is, if a 12-year NBA veteran can blow through $110 million, trust me - you can blow through a fraction of that in the blink of an eye - especially if you aren't careful. Am I advocating a life of mediocrity? Yes. Am I saying that you shouldn't reward yourself? No. What I'm saying is that the money will eventually end, and as Ato put it, not many "get to decide when they retire." So, think before you splurge, and save for a rainy day - because when it rains, it pours.

Anyway, I put myself out there a little bit, but I had to add a little more color to Ato's commentary. I could go on...and on...and on, but I won't (at least not here).

The Track & Field 10 Commandments...they're pure genius as is, but what is principle without practical application? I want yall to know and see that what Ato is talking about isn't just talk. It is TRUTH. I've lived it. I AM living it. And, I'm NOT retired. Trust me - any honest athlete who has been around the block more than once or twice will tell you the same thing. And, if you're lucky, maybe they'll tell you their story too.

So if you're really down for the cause on this track and field tip, then you need to get with the program and do your thing intelligently. You can't say that no one ever told you how....anymore.

If you haven't done so already, you can (and should) read Ato Boldon's full list of 10 things retired athletes know that active ones don't, here.