“Do I even go out and compete? Do I just throw it?”
Moments before Shawn Johnson gave her routine at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing she heard the score from the girl before her and knew Gold was out of her reach. She finished the events with three silvers and one gold which, as great as it was, wasn’t enough to fulfill the expectations that America had for the 16-year-old gymnast.
As she bent down to have the silver medal placed around her head, the event coordinator handing out the medals looked at her and said, “I’m sorry.”
Two words that confirmed her worst nightmare; second wasn’t enough.
She came home to criticism that sent her into a dark depression. The months that followed were some of the hardest of her life as her identity as America’s sweetheart was quickly changing. Her clothes weren’t good enough, her weight wasn’t good enough, her one gold medal wasn’t good enough.
The story of how mentally detrimental the strive for perfection can be also sheds light on Simone Biles decision to step out of the competition this year. There are things more important than “gold,” and Shawn Johnson knows this all too well.
Her “I Am Second” interview above details the exact moment she decided to change and the motivation that led her to the woman she is today, apart from gymnastics—and it’s crazy powerful. What a great reminder that Jesus is always our greatest and proudest reward.
