«I couldn’t accept myself. Gymnastics was my worth, it was my life—and I hated myself.»
Over the weekend, a collegiate gymnast stepped onto the floor. With flawless execution, while also jamming to Tina Turner and Michael Jackson, the routine wowed audiences present and around the world—later breaking the internet.
The 21-year-old star is Katelyn Ohashi, and she almost stepped away from gymnastics altogether.
Like many world-class gymnasts, Ohashi started the sport at a young age. She grew to become an unmatched champion and an Olympic hopeful; however, as noted in her profile by The Player’s Tribune, Ohashi began to feel empty.
«That girl, you would think had it all. All these medals in her room, podiums she’s standing on, she thought she had nothing,» Ohashi said, speaking in third person, in the video posted in August.
Dealing with constant criticism from «fans» and the pressure of obtaining perfection, the young athlete became burned out from the grueling sport.
«She was on a path of almost invincibility, and then, her back just gave out,» she added.
