She's the Gold Coast's great hope for the 2018 Commonwealth Games and Sally Pearson is hoping a community behind her will make her unbeatable on home soil next year.
The champion hurdler is on the comeback trail after a string of injuries ended her hopes of defending her Olympic title in Rio last year.
On Sunday, Pearson charged to her eighth national 100m hurdles title in Sydney - her time of 12.53 seconds the fastest she's run since 2013.
That time was wind assisted but Pearson is hoping a different kind of assistance can lift her to a third straight Commonwealth Games title on the Gold Coast in 2018.
Pearson, a Gold Coast local, is the face of the Games but she's confident she can use the public expectation as a positive rather than something to overawe her.
"I use it for myself and use it for support, that everyone wants you to do well as well and everyone's behind you," Pearson told AAP on Tuesday.
"I have to spin it in a positive way and use it for the good rather than let it overcome me."
As Games organisers announced the schedule of events for next year on Tuesday to coincide with the one year to go celebrations, it was confirmed the women's 100m hurdles final will be run on Friday, April 13.
Pearson said the buzz around the city is palpable, particularly with just 12 months to go.
"We've been waiting for this for a long time, and I know it feels like it's a year to go, but it almost feels like it's today because of how excited everyone is," Pearson said.
"There's a lot to go into it, there's a lot still more to do, but I genuinely feel the community is behind these games.
"You don't get that often because you don't get the Games in our city. You don't ever get to feel that. It's exciting that everyone is behind it."
Pearson also believes her stunning national title win on the weekend proves she's made the right decision by deciding to coach herself in the build up to this year's world championships.
"That was the first tick for me to prove to myself that I can do this," she said.
"That's all I need at this stage, that reassurance."
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