Let’s take a trip down memory lane to last year, when Suni Lee – who is currently fresh off her Olympic glory with three shiny medals – faced a wild twist: she got hit with not one, but two incurable kidney diseases! It all started back in February 2023 when she noticed her body feeling off—her ankles, face, hands, and legs decided to throw a swelling party. At first, the doctors thought it was just an allergic reaction, but when the puffiness stuck around for weeks, they figured something serious was brewing. “I just kept getting more swollen… I think I gained, like, 40 pounds… I didn’t even recognize myself,” Suni shared, looking back at that struggle.

Then, the doctors delivered another blow: they told her that gymnastics might be over. But Suni Lee wasn’t one to back down. With fierce determination, she trained like a warrior, backed by coaches who prioritized her health and believed in her resilience. Suni was determined to defy the odds. They were always checking in, asking, “What can you do today? What can you not do?” This chill approach allowed her to keep training safely, leading her to shine at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and look how it turned out! Reflecting on her journey, Suni said, “I wasn’t supposed to be here,” showing just how far she’s come and now, another gymnastics star in awe of her bold move of going against the doctors!

In a recent clip from Access Hollywood, Shawn Johnson, the 2008 Olympic gold medalist, jumped in to share her excitement about this year’s U.S. women’s gymnastics team. She exclaimed, “Simone, Suni, Jordan—every single girl who has competed has changed every aspect of our sport.” Shawn is all about how these phenomenal athletes have breathed new life into gymnastics, making it fun and welcoming. She loves that they’ve created a vibe where you can be yourself and prioritize your mental and physical health, saying, “a place where you can be yourself.”

Shawn also pointed out that these gymnasts have truly upped the ante, making the sport more challenging than ever, and she even joked about how she’s glad she’s not competing anymore. They’ve shattered expectations, and Suni Lee’s journey is a perfect example. Shawn noted, “Seeing Suni’s story, she truly really proved to the world that she could do something doctors told her wasn’t possible.” That kind of grit and determination is incredibly inspiring! Reflecting on all of this, Shawn shared, “It’s been really special” to be a part of such an amazing transformation in gymnastics.

But what about Jordan and Simone, you ask? Well, on one hand, there’s the GOAT Simone Biles, who made a triumphant comeback after stepping back from the Tokyo Olympics to prioritize her mental health. Then we have Jordan Chiles, who faced a whirlwind of drama when her bronze medal from the Paris Olympics was stripped away. It’s clear that these three phenomenal athletes—Suni, Simone, and Jordan—are shining examples of  inspiration! But talking about Simone and Suni Lee, did you know there was a heartwarming moment when Simone stepped in to support Suni during a tough time when she was really sick?

Suni Lee gets support from Biles

You heard it right! Suni Lee opened up to Today, sharing her heartfelt journey, saying, “There were so many times when I thought about quitting and just giving up because I was so sick. But once I had those people around me who lifted me up and supported me and just made sure that I was good, I knew that this is something I wanted.” That unwavering support became her lifeline during those tough times, reminding her of the passion that fueled her dreams.

Among those shining lights was none other than her teammate Simone Biles. After Suni Lee took a tumble on the vault during the U.S. Nationals, Simone was there, embodying the spirit of encouragement. “I just know that she needed some encouragement and somebody to trust her gymnastics for her and to believe in her,” Biles shared with The New York Times. It was a challenging moment for Lee, who, after her fall, described having “a breakdown,” feeling like her performance would shatter her hopes of continuing her elite career.

But Simone stepped in, reminding Suni Lee to keep pushing forward for herself and for all the goals she had set. Biles recalled, “She was, like, ‘I’m not OK,’” but her words became a beacon of hope. Suni even asked Simone to stand by her side during her uneven bars routine, and with Biles cheering her on, Lee found the strength to carry on. And look at how it all turned out! Not only did Suni qualify for the Olympics, but she also clinched a bronze medal on the uneven bars!