Poverty may be a chain, but it can’t hold you if you’re ready to break free. That’s exactly what Rebeca Andrade’s story is all about. Growing up in a tough environment, she had every reason to quit, but instead, she used it all as fuel to rise higher. After winning a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and multiple other medals, she became hopeful for so many. But, of course, success doesn’t come without its challenges. After her historic achievements, Rebeca faced some pretty harsh criticism, and after the Paris Olympics, she wasn’t afraid to call it out.

Rebeca’s childhood wasn’t easy. She grew up in a family of eight kids. Her mom, Rosa, did everything she could to raise them, but resources were limited. Rebeca found her escape in gymnastics – a sport she dedicated herself to with passion and determination that ultimately led to success. She even made history by being the first Brazilian female gymnast to grab gold at the Paris Olympics, and outshining Simone Biles in the floor final is an achievement few can boast of. However, despite her triumph, the journey to the summit was fraught, with challenges and obstacles that tested her resolve.

After gaining recognition, scrutiny increased unfairly towards Andrade. Even she was labeled as self-centered and unappreciative of her accomplishments. The criticism went as far as saying that success had “gone to her head” – can you believe it? This came following years of dedication, sacrifice, and proudly representing her nation. The pressure was so intense that months before the Paris Olympics, she felt overwhelmed, to the extent that she penned a goodbye letter to the gymnastics. In a post on Instagram, she shared, ” I was sure that this would be my last Olympic cycle.” The constant negativity began to weigh on her. There were moments when she questioned if she could persevere any longer.

Andrade shared the impact of comments she received after achieving a historic feat at the Paris Olympics with four medals. She said, “There are people who don’t know us, not 100 percent, intimately, and sometimes they can get the wrong impression.” She emphasized the challenge of handling misconceptions from those who don’t fully understand her and how it can be difficult to cope with criticism. “It’s really bad to hear something about yourself that isn’t true,” she said.

Andrade doesn’t just talk about her achievements—she understands her roots too. Growing up, she and her brother used to walk miles just to get to training sessions. The hardships they faced back then have greatly influenced their identities. That’s why it hurts when others jump to conclusions about her without knowing her story.

Rebeca Andrade went from the slums to the Olympics

Rebeca Andrade’s journey starts in the favelas of Guarulhos, in Sao Paulo, where daily life was challenging and aspirations seemed dreams to grasp onto. She was raised alongside her siblings; strolling through the narrow lanes would reveal the dilapidated shanties dotting the neighborhood landscape. However, for Andrade, her identity wasn’t shaped by her surroundings but by her knack for looking past them. When she was young, kids would climb the bunk beds along with her brothers and sisters. She used to hang down pretending to be gymnasts they had seen on TV without realizing that these fun times would lead her to a path that would eventually take her from those simple days to the biggest sports arenas in the world.

It wasn’t always sailing for her family either. Rosa herself used to work as a maid and even struggled to make ends meet. It was a challenge to afford bus fare for Rebeca’s training sessions on some days. But determined siblings would embark on a two-hour walk through hills and rough terrain daily just to reach the gym. Occasionally, due to constraints, a bus ride seemed out of reach. In instances, the pair would collect scrap metal for sale, pocketing every penny earned in pursuit of their aspirations. Rebeca’s dedication caught the attention of many around her. At the age of 10, a coach recognized her skills and offered her a chance to train at a gymnastics facility—a moment she had long awaited and a pivotal step towards achieving excellence in her sports career.

Today, when we look at her life compared to her old days in the favelas, it’s like a whole different world for her. She has become one of the most celebrated gymnasts in Olympic history, with numerous medals under her belt. But for the 25-year-old, the true prize isn’t just the gold medals; it’s about the life she has been able to provide for her family. She has had the opportunity to take her mother to international competitions, which was just a dream but is now a reality. Rebeca Andrade’s story shows no matter where you start, with hard work, anything is possible.