Showcasing incredible performances at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and capturing the hearts of millions took work for the gymnast star ‘Jordan Chiles’. In a candid and heartfelt conversation with the Lautners, the Olympic champion and star sat down to discuss her mental health journey and the challenges she faced throughout her remarkable career as a gymnast.

The exclusive interview took place in a relaxed and supportive setting and delved into the highs and lows of Chile’s gymnastics journey. The whole interview created a storm on the internet because it shed clear light on the often-overlooked aspect of the sportspersons’ mental and overall well-being in elite sports.

Struggles and triumphs of the gymnastics superstar

The Lautners’ THE SQUEEZ, known for their insightful interviews with prominent figures, provided a safe space for Chiles to share her stories. According to their post on Instagram, Chiles stated, “From being 15 years old now, my mindset had always been Olympics, Olympics, Olympics. It was nonstop. People only saw me as an athlete. I had a coach who verbally ab**ed me and emotionally ab**ed me. There were just a lot of things that she stripped from me. There were a lot of doubts. There were a lot of times when I did want to quit. Oh, Jordan, do not cry. I did not want anything to do with my life. My self-esteem got to a point where I did not want to be on the earth anymore.” These words are not only heart-shattering but shocking, too.

Even in her interview with POPSUGAR, Jordan opened up about her past coach’s tragic mental pressure, stating, “She called me fat, she said I looked like a doughnut, to the littlest things of people asking me, ‘Oh, you’re eating this today?’ And it’s like, ‘Well, I’m not eating because you just triggered my brain.'” But in the end, these shattering quotes could not break her self-confidence, and she found the path to victory and success.

The gymnast who has won the hearts of millions

Despite the remarkable turn of events, Jordan Chiles has risen to prominence and become an Olympic champion as a frontrunner at the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team at the ongoing women’s trials in St. Louis. By the end of 2018, on the brink of leaving the sport altogether, Chiles received a lifeline from gymnastics icon Simone Biles.

Read More: After Jordan Chiles Fails to Make the Cut for World Championships, Olympic Gymnast’s Mother Drops a Reality Check

Biles suggested Chiles relocate to Texas to train alongside her at the World Champions Centre under the guidance of coaches Cecile and Laurent Landi. This move proved transformative for Jordan Chiles, reigniting her passion for gymnastics and paving the way for her current status as a favorite for the U.S. Olympic team.

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