McNeal trains five days a week, incorporating three days of weight training into her schedule. Her dedication paid off when she won gold in the 100m hurdles at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. This victory remains one of her most memorable achievements.

| Season | Event | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Women's 100m Hurdles | G Gold |
Her coach, Lawrence Johnson, has been instrumental in her success. Ahead of the 2019 season, Johnson focused on refining small parts of her technique to enhance her overall speed. Although this new training approach initially felt slow and uncomfortable for McNeal, she eventually adapted and saw improvements.
McNeal faced several challenges throughout her career. She sustained an ankle injury in January 2021 and missed the 2010 outdoor season at Clemson University due to another injury. Despite these setbacks, she continued to push forward.
In 2016, McNeal received a 12-month ban from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) after missing three out-of-competition drug tests. The standard penalty is a two-year suspension, but her ban was reduced following an appeal. Consequently, she did not compete in 2017.
McNeal's achievements have not gone unnoticed. She was named in Forbes magazine's '30 Under 30 Class of 2020' and received the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Athlete of the Year Award from USATF in 2013. At age 21 years and 364 days, she became the youngest female athlete to win gold in the 100m hurdles at the world championships in Moscow, Russian Federation.
McNeal draws inspiration from US 400m runner Sanya Richards-Ross, US hurdler Tiffany Williams, and Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Her sporting philosophy is to stay true to oneself and not focus on fitting in with others.
Looking ahead, McNeal aims to win another gold medal at future Olympic Games. Her determination and resilience suggest that she will continue to be a formidable presence in athletics.
Brianna McNeal's journey is a testament to her dedication and passion for athletics. Despite facing numerous challenges, she remains committed to her sport and continues to strive for excellence.McNeal trains five days a week, incorporating three days of weight training into her schedule. Her dedication paid off when she won gold in the 100m hurdles at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. This victory remains one of her most memorable achievements.