*Trigger Warning*

Jordan Chiles, a promising name in US gymnastics, who had one thing – ‘Olympics’ in her mind as a 15-year-old has come a long way to conquer her dream and much more. From a kid with ADHD to being the flag bearer for her country at the Pan American, the gymnast hasn’t always had a smooth sail. Wavering heart, societal norms, an ab***ive environment, and more have brought a heaving heart for the star throughout her marveling career.

Jordan Chiles has been one to speak her truth on mental health and difficulties as an athlete. While the sport has lent her a sense of peace and diversion, it has also carried along the unkind realities of society. On the Lautners’ recent podcast, the Olympian had yet another chance to highlight the rocks on the road that insinuated thoughts of self-ha*m.

Jordan Chiles opens up on her difficult path

The 2020 Olympic silver medalist recently made her way to the Launters’ ‘The Squeeze‘ podcast on YouTube. ‘Jordan Chiles: Use Your Voice’ the title read as the gymnast took the spectators through her grueling journey of hardships. In one of the segments, however, Jordan’s narration offered a heart wrenching moment as her accumulated memories of mistreatment led her to suic*dal thoughts. “There was just times where my self-esteem had gotten to a point where I didn’t want to be on the earth anymore,” Chiles states recalling her childhood. “I didn’t want anything to do with my life. Like, what’s the point? I was always going to get told something.”

These thoughts for Jordan Chiles arrived following numerous instances of body shaming and helplessness. The gymnast reveals that she was called a ‘sack of potatoes’ or ‘two heads,’ because of her hair. Further along, what added to the problem was people considering it normal. “This is a normal thing. This is how gymnastics is,” were a few of the words Jordan had to live through. However, the gymnast stayed resilient to ultimately find her way to healing.

A way through for the gymnast

When Taylor Dome Lautner asked, what helped Jordan Chiles heal from her difficult journey, the gymnast had two words: God and Support. “God really. Praying every day. Having the right support around me,” she reveals. The stated reason helped the gymnast set on a path of acceptance and a drive to open up about it. That was following her Tokyo Olympics success and she spoke her heart out at a podcast.

Also Read: “Don’t Care What People Say”: Trashing Simone Biles’ Critics, Jordan Chiles Takes A Strong Stance For Her Friend

“It was eating me out,” she says. Since then, the Olympian has found her peace and the right group of friends to blend herself with. By the end of the emotional journey, Jordan Chiles knew she had a place for herself on earth.

Watch this story: Inching Closer to Simone Biles and Shilese Jones, Gymnastics’ Rising Star Unveils Her Next Steps.