Jan. 11: An Olympian’s Reality Check

Last updated on: January 11, 2013 at 5:00 am by Patheos Daily Reflections

Jan. 11: An Olympian’s Reality Check 2012-12-19T13:21:52-05:00 Patheos Daily Reflections

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Olympian Shawn Johnson’s first gymnastics coach at age five told her mother that the youngster had no talent. Thankfully her mother transferred her to a new coach, Liang Chow, whose training led Johnson to the 2008 Beijing Olympics where she won one gold and three silver medals.

Though Johnson was proud of all her medals, she reveals in her memoir, Winning Balance, that she was shocked to discover reporters referring to her as a loser when she won silver—as if being the second best gymnast in the world was something about which to be disappointed. She explained on Christopher Closeup that the experience led her to find pride within herself instead of from outside sources.

Johnson learned another lesson while watching her friend’s sister endure chemotherapy for cancer. She said, “Seeing her go through that while tending to four beautiful kids and not once complain [taught me that] family and faith and health means the most. I feel like we don’t put enough attention on that. It was a great reality check for me.”

Endurance produces character. (Romans 5:4)

Help me feel satisfied with my life and efforts, Lord.

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