‘You Can’t Give Up Your Gift’: Gabby Douglas Once Revealed How Her Brother’s Encouragement Kept Her Dream Alive Before Stardom

Gabby Douglas, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, has successfully conquered a bout of COVID-19 that temporarily halted her return to competition for the upcoming Paris Olympics this year. Now that she is ready to resume her training, the American athlete revealed on Wednesday. This 28-year-old athlete has achieved pretty much success in life since 2012. However, behind her remarkable journey to success and fame lies a prolonged period of dedication, supported wholeheartedly by her family and especially her brother.

Despite her familial foundation of support, there came a challenging moment in Gabby’s journey where she contemplated leaving gymnastics altogether. The burden of being away from her family and the trials of training tested her resolve. However, it was her brother, Johnathan Douglas, who became her pillar of strength during that time.

Inspiration behind Gabby Douglas’s Olympic journey

In Gaby’s 2012 memoir “Grace, Gold, and Glory: My Leap of Faith,” she delves into a pivotal moment in Chapter 18 that reshaped her Olympic journey. Following her startling announcement to quit gymnastics, Gaby recounts the attempts of her coach Travis, her mother, and even her brother John, to dissuade her. Yet, the profound conversation with John resonated deeply with her, challenging her resolve and guiding her towards a new perspective.

Upon returning to their hotel after a tense encounter, Gaby was immersed in a heated exchange with her family, particularly her brother John, who vehemently opposed her decision to quit. Despite her mother’s scepticism and her own doubts, John’s unwavering belief in her talent and the importance of perseverance struck a chord within Gaby, compelling her to reconsider her choices. “Mom’s done so much for you.” He further said, “You can’t give up your gift, Brief….I can’t even look at you right now,”

John’s words served as a turning point for Gabby. He further added, “and I even gave up my ice skating lessons in eighth grade because Mom couldn’t afford to keep us both in a sport! You give me one good reason why you want to come home?” Her brother’s advice inspired Gabby’s journey of self-discovery, leading her to appreciate her mother’s sacrifices.

Family sacrifices and financial challenges

“It was hard for us growing up—my dad had left us, so he wasn’t really in the picture anymore,” Gabby Douglas has openly shared her family’s hardships. Growing up without her father present due to military deployment, Gabby’s mother, Natalie Hawkins, bore the responsibility of managing the family’s finances while supporting her daughter’s gymnastics aspirations.

Read More: ‘My Daughter Is Becoming Stagnant’: Gabby Douglas’ Mother Once Lashed Out at the Gymnast’s Then-Trainer to Spur Improvement

To fuel her journey to becoming an Olympian, Hawkins, Gabby Douglas’s mother, filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, shedding light on the profound financial burdens faced by families nurturing aspiring athletes. This underscores the immense sacrifices and financial strain endured by families like Gabby’s, who are committed to supporting their athletic dreams.

Read More: What Has Gabby Douglas Been Up to Since the Rio Olympics in 2016?