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.

But just when it seemed like she might give up on it all, Jordan found hope in the form of her best friend, Simone Biles. “It was my best friend Simone who gave me hope and a new path to my dream when I was about to give it up.” Simone’s unwavering support and belief in her helped Jordan find a new way forward, proving just how powerful friendship can be when life gets tough.

Jordan Chiles has previously also shared how she and Simone Biles are pretty much in sync when it is about mental health, saying, “We understand each other whether we do have to talk to each other or not.” It’s like they don’t even need words to know what the other is feeling, a true testament to their bond. But, this wasn’t the only time Simone had been there for Jordan.

Jordan Chiles and her BFF!

Oh yeah, you heard that right! This isn’t the first time Simone Biles has had Jordan Chiles’ back. Remember back during the Olympics when Jordan found herself in the middle of that crazy medal controversy, where her bronze medal got taken away? The internet trolls had a field day, roasting Jordan for something that wasn’t even her fault, pushing her to shut down her social profiles. But who jumped in to handle it? Simone Biles, of course.

If anyone knows how to shut down trolls, it’s Simone. After all, she’s been there, done that—being unfairly dragged through the mud after being called a quitter and then rising like the true gymnastics queen she is. Simone didn’t leave Jordan hanging. She swooped in with some much-needed advice, telling her, “We’ve been FaceTiming, texting, just being girls… I did talk to her on one of the days, and I was like, ‘You know what, Jordan, you have to feel all these feels. Don’t let these emotions stop you. This will be the healthiest way to get all of this out.’”

Biles also made sure to show her support for Jordan publicly, saying, “We want that justice for Jordan and why we’re going to keep supporting her and uplifting her.” And through all the trolls and challenges that Jordan faced, this kind of unwavering friendship and Jordan’s own toughness make these two an absolute powerhouse duo in sports sisterhood.