Weeks Before Teaming With Stephen Nedoroscik on DWTS, Rylee Arnold Opened Up About the ‘Hardest Times’ of Her Life

Stephen Nedoroscik, who’s more known for his Olympic pommel horse routines, is giving major pro dancer vibes on Dancing with the Stars! Hard to believe, right? Just weeks ago, the two-time Olympic bronze medalist was a bundle of nerves, worried about trading gymnastics flips for dance steps. But now, things have changed! His performances in Season 33 have been nothing short of spectacular, leaving audiences in awe.

And who’s behind those jaw-dropping moves? None other than his patient and talented partner, Rylee Arnold. With her guidance, Stephen Nedoroscik has been blending his natural strength with newfound rhythm, crafting some magical moments on that dance floor. But as the Olympic hopeful was busy gearing up for his next big gym competition, Rylee herself opened up about battling some health challenges of her own before joining forces with Stephen on the show.

Earlier this May, Rylee Arnold shared a heartfelt moment on Instagram, sharing that it’s been three years since she got hit with a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis. She didn’t sugarcoat it either, saying it was “one of the hardest times in my life,” but somehow, this entire experience gave her strength she didn’t even know she had. Instead of letting it slow her down, Rylee decided from day one that diabetes wouldn’t stop her from chasing her dreams.

Fast forward to now, and she’s had one of the best years ever, crushing goals and living out those big dreams. Sure, there were plenty of tough moments—like dealing with blood sugar scares, counting carbs nonstop, and all the crazy stuff that comes with managing Type 1—but she says, “is so worth it.” Rylee’s been proving to herself and everyone else that a minor setback doesn’t mean the end of the road, and she’s been dancing right through it.

But it’s not just about her. Rylee’s using her journey to inspire others, showing how Type 1 diabetes hasn’t just made her stronger, but also turned her into a big advocate for others in the same boat. Her message? “You might have some bumps and challenges along the way, but they only make you so much stronger!!” Rylee’s out here proving that nothing can stand between you and your dreams if you’ve got the fight in you.

But while Rylee Arnold is out there soaking up the spotlight on Dancing with the Stars, she once again just ran into another hiccup right before her next dance with Stephen Nedoroscik.

Stephen Nedoroscik’s partner hits a bump in the dance road

Just a few weeks into their dance journey, Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold are already hitting bumps along the way! The show delayed episode 3 by a week, resulting in back-to-back performances for them on October 7 and 8. Monday’s episode will be a pre-recorded Soul Train Night that promises no eliminations, while Tuesday’s live Hair Metal Night means someone’s definitely getting the boot!

Now, here’s where it gets a bit tricky. Rylee recently dropped a snap on September 29, revealing she sprained her ankle during rehearsal. She wrote, “Suffered a little injury last night in rehearsal, so starting my day by heading to pt.” But don’t worry—she’s staying super positive and determined, saying she’ll do everything to avoid further issues. Plus, with the Vice Presidential debate pausing the show for a week, she’s getting some extra time to rest up, which is a bit of a silver lining!

As performance day creeps closer, Rylee shared another update, saying, “It’s getting better!! And most importantly not getting worse!” She’s still dealing with a sore ankle and even posted a pic of her ice packs, saying she’s being really careful when she dances. It’s not the ideal situation for her and Stephen, but they’re powering through together, ready to rock the stage next week like the stars they are!