Jordan Chiles Discloses How Simone Biles Saved Her From Darkest Phase of Gymnastics Career… See more

Jordan Chiles has been through a lot, and at just 17, she was hit with some harsh criticisms that no one should ever face. She opened up, saying, “I was r*ially attacked.” And it wasn’t just about the usual gymnastic pressures. She was hounded with racial slurs, mocked for being “too manly” or “too muscular” for the sport. It didn’t end there, though. Some people even warned her to watch how much she ate, fearing she wouldn’t stay small enough. “You’re telling me I’m not going to have muscles when I’m throwing my own weight around?” Jordan recalled, clearly frustrated by the unsolicited advice. “It’s like, God created this body for a reason, so I’m going to use it as much as I can.”

But despite all the noise, Jordan kept pushing forward, battling through the criticism and doubts. After all, she wasn’t just any ordinary athlete—her parents were so inspired by her potential that they named her after Michael Jordan. Yet, in 2018, despite being a U.S. team member since 2013, things weren’t going well. When she wasn’t named to the senior national team or the World Team, Jordan felt completely defeated. However, just as she was ready to walk away for good, her best friend stepped in and lifted her up, as Jordan Chiles now reveals.

As per a report shared by The Wrap, Jordan Chiles opened up in a recent interview, reflecting on a tough time back in 2018 when everything felt like too much. She shared, “In 2018, I was struggling mentally, physically, emotionally, and I began to doubt if this work still had a place for me. The weight of expectations, the fear of failure, the pressure of being perfect, and the hurt caused by being overlooked made me question everything.” For a while, the pressures seemed endless, and the dream she had worked so hard for felt like it was slipping away.

She went on to explain how the system felt more like a trap than a path to success. “I learned that the system wasn’t built for people who looked or even acted like me. For so long, I was told that in order to achieve my dream, I had to fit into a space that felt unnatural.” It was like trying to force herself into a mold that just didn’t fit, and that left her questioning her future.