Ever watched someone shine on the world stage, then stumble in a moment that feels unfair? That’s exactly what happened to Jordan Chiles at the 2024 Paris Olympics. After helping Team USA win gold, she was on track to earn a bronze on floor exercise, only to lose it over a tiny, four-second timing issue during a score review. It’s heartbreaking, right? But Jordan’s story isn’t about that setback. It’s about how she’s rising above it. And now, months after the medal was taken away, she’s finally opening up about the sport.
At just 24, she’s already one of the most accomplished athletes in her sport, with multiple NCAA championships under her belt from UCLA and Olympic gold to her name. But recently, on 24th May, she’s been speaking openly about something just as important as the medals: her mental health. Well, we know May is Mental Health Awareness Month. In an Instagram post, Jordan shared a quiet moment alone in nature and wrote, “I am more than my sport.”
That line hits differently when you know the battles she’s fought behind the scenes. Jordan Chiles has been honest about the emotional challenges she’s faced, including enduring emotional abuse from a former coach that led to disordered eating and even suicidal thoughts. It’s a side of elite gymnastics many don’t see, the toll it can take on a young athlete’s mind and spirit.
Jordan’s openness about these struggles is helping break the stigma around mental health in sports, showing that athletes are human, with vulnerabilities and limits. There were times when she tied her entire self-worth to scores, podiums, and the expectations of others. But now Jordan is learning to care for her mental well-being just as fiercely as her physical training.
She describes herself as “I am resilient, creative, compassionate, and human—deserving of love and care whether I’m flipping in front of thousands or sitting quietly with my thoughts.” Beyond gymnastics, she’s a daughter, sister, auntie, student, business owner, and friend, roles that define her just as much as her athletic achievements.
Even with her demanding schedule, competing at the highest levels, returning to UCLA for NCAA championships, appearing in the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and engaging in events like the Gold House Gala honoring AAPI leaders and preparing to present at the American Music Awards, Jordan Chiles is making mental health advocacy a priority.
She’s become a role model not only for aspiring gymnasts but for anyone struggling with identity and self-worth. Jordan Chiles reaches out to anyone feeling overwhelmed or questioning their worth beyond performance, reminding us all: “I see you. You matter. Take a moment for yourself — it can be more powerful than you realize.” But imagine going through so much yet still embracing all over.
And honestly, her struggles don’t stop with the Paris Olympics. Remember back in 2018 when she wasn’t even picked for the senior national team, despite killing it at nationals?
Jordan Chiles’ fight beyond the floor
From a young age, Jordan Chiles struggled with severe ADHD, a condition that made focusing a daily challenge. Yet she credits gymnastics with helping her channel that energy productively, famously saying, “My sport saved my life”. However, this sanctuary was not free from struggle. Jordan endured verbal and emotional abuse from a former coach, referred to as “Coach X” in her memoir I’m That Girl: Living the Power of My Dreams, which deeply affected her mental health.
The toxic environment led to disordered eating, as she was pressured to consume as few as 800 calories a day and was shamed for not fitting a specific body standard. This abuse culminated in suicidal thoughts, a dark period Jordan has openly discussed to raise awareness about mental health in elite sports. Her path was further clouded by personal losses in 2023, when both her aunt and grandfather passed away.
These deaths had a severe emotional impact, but Jordan shared that her grandfather’s encouragement, reminding her that he wouldn’t want her to quit, became a motivation to keep pushing forward despite the grief. Professionally, she also faced disappointment in 2018 when, despite placing second at the national championships, she was left off the senior national team and the world championship team.
This exclusion made her seriously consider retiring from gymnastics altogether. The most public and emotionally charged setback came at the 2024 Paris Olympics. After delivering a strong performance, Jordan Chiles was initially awarded the bronze medal in the women’s floor exercise following a successful appeal by her coach that increased her score.
However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport later ruled that the appeal was submitted four seconds past the one-minute deadline, which invalidated the score change and resulted in the medal being revoked. This decision was devastating, stripping her of Olympic recognition after the fact. The situation was worsened by the online abuse Jordan received, including racially charged attacks that forced her to take a break from social media to protect her mental health.
Despite these enormous challenges, Jordan has shown resilience. Support poured in from fellow athletes like Simone Biles and Aly Raisman, who spoke out against the unfair treatment and urged her to stay strong. Jordan has used her platform to become a passionate advocate for mental health awareness, openly discussing the pressures athletes face and the importance of seeking help.
She once reflected, “The battles you fight on the inside are just as important as the ones on the mat.” This shows us that courage isn’t just about physical strength; it’s about facing your inner struggles and never giving up.
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