Have you ever had someone tell you to “Get real. It’ll never happen.” Words like that can be discouraging—especially if you have your own doubts about achieving your goals.
That’s when most people quit. But not my home-town hero, Suni Lee. She grew up a few miles from me. The gym she went to was even closer.
Recently, when Team USA won a gold medal in gymnastics, Suni was quoted as saying, “A year ago, I didn’t even think this was possible.” Yet she made it happen …
But first, a little backstory. Suni’s family are Hmong immigrants, primarily from Laos. They supported the US during the Vietnam War. After the US pulled out, they were persecuted and killed by the Communist victors.
Fortunately, many US church organizations opened their doors to these political refugees. It wasn’t easy for these immigrants. Certainly, language was an issue.
Even harder, was adjusting to city life. The Hmong were farmers who lived in small villages high in the mountains of Laos. They didn’t have electricity or machines.
Back in the 1970s, I remember reading about sponsors having to teach them how to use a stove, drive a car, adjust a thermostat, get medical help and navigate American life.
But the tight knit Hmong families stuck together, worked hard and supported each other in all their endeavors. That’s Suni’s heritage. It gave her what she needed to excel in gymnastics and win a gold medal at the 2020 Olympics.
Yet even that couldn’t prepare her for her most recent battles. In 2023, Suni was diagnosed with two types of incurable kidney disease.
She gained 45 pounds—which is a whole lot for someone who’s only 5 feet tall. She lost her strength and timing.
All that led to a crisis of confidence. Plus, the drugs she was taking made things even worse—till they ultimately kicked in.
Finally, Suni could get herself ready for the 2024 Olympics. That’s when she discovered that her previous ways of training and prepping for big events didn’t work anymore.
With the help of her coaches, Suni found another way. And she developed a new mental strength that wasn’t there before.
So, don’t tell yourself that it can’t be done. Instead, look at your resources and what you can change to make it happen. Because it could.
And if it doesn’t work, at least you’ve tried!
P.S. You know what the best thing is about the Olympics? We’re all cheering for our country—not squabbling about politics.
Phote Credit: NBC Sports
