“Get Anxiety”: Suni Lee Shares Fears Switching Gymnastics Life After Disastrous Auburn Incident

Suni Lee had a spectacular second berth at the 2024 Paris Summer Games. She left the French capital with 3 Olympic medals – 1 gold and 2 bronze. In fact, this brings her total up to six medals, putting her in a tie with Aly Raisman for the third most medals by an American gymnast on the world’s biggest stage. But now that the 33rd Games have concluded, the Tigers gymnast is moving on to new things. What is she up to? 

The Olympian is currently in the middle of moving houses from Minnesota to NYC. Glamour’s Women of the Year 2024 told Lea Winkler on a Zoom call that she hadn’t even signed the lease on her new apartment. But as she’s about to venture into the Big Apple, she has a few inhibitions. “I’m very shy and I don’t like to talk to new people, because I get really nervous and awkward and then I get anxiety,” the gymnast stated.

Suni Lee sat in front of those U-Haul boxes as she confessed, “I don’t know anybody in New York. So yeah, I’m scared.” She looked forward to switching her life from gymnastics to something larger. The Olympian has designed several of her leotards and is looking forward to creating her social media presence by navigating through a few fashion and beauty campaigns. But seeing how she has spent most of her life in Minnesota, leaving that behind was bittersweet.

However, the Olympian found a sweet way to bid adieu to a place where she made so many memories. The 6x Olympic medalist successfully concluded her Redemption Tour at the French capital. She then visited the Minnesota State Fair for perhaps what might as well be the last time. The gymnast spent time with her friends, going over to every food stall and even sharing a little snack with her pals. However, what could possibly motivate the gymnast to take such a massive step? 

Suni Lee struggled during a tumultuous time at Auburn University

When Simone Biles stepped back at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, someone had to rise to the occasion—and that someone was Suni Lee. She seized the moment at just 21 years old, etching her name in history as the first Asian-American woman to win Olympic gold in the women’s all-around event. Despite the weight of doubts and the pressure of being under the spotlight, she pushed through. For a moment, it seemed as though Lee had conquered the world and could now look forward to enjoying a traditional college experience.

But the reality at Auburn University was far from the dream she had envisioned. Lee, who hoped to immerse herself in the college lifestyle, found herself grappling with more than just coursework. Personal security concerns haunted her time on campus, forcing her to opt for virtual classes just to maintain some sense of normalcy. What truly went wrong? It wasn’t just the lack of privacy; it was the cold reality of feeling unwelcome. “A lot of girls weren’t the nicest to me. I just really felt like an outcast, almost,” Lee revealed, exposing the struggles of trying to blend in when the world sees you as different.

“They didn’t treat me that well. I just knew that I couldn’t trust them,” Lee added, the words filled with a sense of betrayal. This wasn’t just a case of feeling out of place—it was a reminder of the isolating experience fame can bring, especially when those around you can’t see past the gold medals. Adding to her mental burden was her chronic kidney condition, which left her physically weak, struggling with swollen hands that made even the basics of gymnastics painfully difficult.

The weight of it all led her to an inevitable decision—to end her collegiate career in 2023. It was a heartbreak she hadn’t anticipated. “It was really scary and really, really heartbreaking. I definitely went through a little bit of a mental spiral because gymnastics is my outlet and it’s my safe space,” Lee admitted. For someone who had always found solace in the sport, the inability to compete hit hard.

Yet, in the face of adversity, Suni Lee showed the same spirit that took her to the Olympic podium. Not even a day after her decision, she was back on the mat, refusing to let setbacks define her. Weary or not, she’s proven once again that she’s ready for whatever life throws at her.