What Happened When Shawn Didn’t Win Gold

Sometimes we are so caught up in the excitement regarding those who win gold at the Olympics that we don’t really understand what the person winning silver might be going through.

Shawn Johnson was expected to come away from the 2008 Olympics with 4 gold medals.  Instead she “only” won the gold in balance beam and also won 3 silver medals.  To most people this would be a huge accomplishment.  But she was devastated, feeling like a failure.

In this moving video Shawn honestly lays out the feelings and experiences that she went through, struggling emotionally after the Olympics.  Not many people are willing to be so honest with what they have gone through.  This gives us insight into the pressures of gymnastics and how trying to live up to the expectations of others can be crushing.

 

 

This gives us a look into going after true values in life and not letting pressures or expectations from others dictate the course of our lives.  Shawn has found peace and contentment after letting go of her struggles.

 

By derivative work: Calebrw https://commons.wikimedia.org
By derivative work: Calebrw https://commons.wikimedia.org