Less than a year out from the Olympics, Zoe Hobbs is starting to feel like she belongs on the world stage - and she's determined to get to a place of being completely comfortable before Paris.
The Kiwi sprinter missed out on a spot in the final of the world athletics championships earlier last week, but remains confident she can compete with some of the biggest names in the sport and knows just what it will take to get there.
Why be disappointed when you can be delighted?
"I could be bitter about it, but the reality is I'm 10th in the world," she told Newshub. "In a sprint... a 100-metre sprint."
Hobbs is more philosophical than frustrated about her finish at Budapest, after falling short of the final by just one-hundredth of a second in her semi.
"Just to be 10th and to say I'm the 10th-fastest woman in the world is pretty surreal."
That and a consistent year so far has given her almighty confidence, far from her first worlds four years ago.
"Doha, I was just this rookie," she recalled. "A little girl who rocked up and I was just stoked to be there.
"Now I'm in a position where I have these really big goals I want to hit - and make a final. It's crazy how far it's actually come."
She's obviously no longer a rookie. This year alone, Hobbs has broken all kinds of national and Oceania records, and already qualified for the Olympics.
The smoothing of her transitions throughout races, as well as a focus on her mental game, particularly visualisation, has helped with that.
"It's also experience and getting into these races with these girls that really helps," she said. "I think I've managed to be lucky this season that I've been able to race against some really good competition and grow from each race."
She hopes to become a more polished product, as she pushes towards Paris.
"It's going to creep up pretty fast, but I'm really excited," Hobbs told Newshub. "I'm already excited.
"I think it's going to roll around super quick."
Before she knows it, Hobbs could be on the start-line of an Olympic final.
