Two-time Olympian Jordan Chiles is shining brighter than ever at 24. But the road to confidence hasn’t been easy for the world-class gymnast. She recently opened up about her tough battle with self-esteem and how she finally found freedom by embracing her beauty, body, and voice.
Jordan Chiles Celebrates Self-Love and New Confidence
Jordan Chiles made history again this year when she appeared on the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover. While the moment was monumental, it meant much more to her than just a magazine feature. The gymnast revealed how hard it once was to look in the mirror and see anything good.
Speaking with PEOPLE, Chiles said she used to call herself ugly almost every day. The words were heavy, and the feelings ran deep. She shared, “I would look at myself in the mirror and call myself ugly almost every day.”
Her mom, who has been by her side every step of the way, cried tears of joy seeing her daughter finally celebrating herself. “She’s been there literally every single moment of my life,” Chiles said. The cover shoot marked not just an achievement, but a healing moment for both mother and daughter.
The Struggles Behind the Scenes of Gymnastics Glory
Though Jordan Chiles is now a powerful voice for self-love, her journey wasn’t without pain. The gymnast opened up about the harsh expectations placed on her body, including being pushed to limit her calories to just 800 a day by past coaches. That pressure damaged both her physical health and confidence.
For a long time, Chiles didn’t like her arms. She admitted, “There were certain things on my body that I didn’t like, my arms.” The insecurities piled up, especially in a world where athletes are constantly judged on appearance and performance.
But slowly, she started rewriting that story. One of the ways she reclaimed her body was by getting meaningful tattoos, calling them “amazing art pieces” that tell her story. Now, those same arms she once disliked carry strength and beauty.
A New Chapter of Power and Self-Acceptance
Jordan Chiles is proud to say that at 24, she feels amazing. She’s learned to accept the natural changes that come with being a woman. “My body changes every single day. As women, we go through a lot. We go through our cycles, body positivity struggles, and sometimes imposter syndrome,” she shared.
What matters most to Chiles now is knowing that nobody can take her body or her voice away. She hopes her story encourages other women to feel the same. “I get the ability to change and hopefully make everybody embrace the same thing because our bodies are our bodies,” she said.
Her courage is a reminder that beauty isn’t about perfection—it’s about power, self-love, and freedom.
From Childhood Gymnast to Olympic Medalist
Jordan Chiles began gymnastics at just six years old. Over the years, she’s earned global recognition and numerous medals. At the 2024 Paris Games, she won gold in the team all-around and bronze in the floor exercise, though the bronze was later stripped by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Still, no medal or title can match the inner victory Chiles has won. By facing her insecurities and overcoming outside pressures, she’s inspiring a new generation of young Black women and athletes everywhere.
Today, Jordan Chiles isn’t just an Olympian. She’s a fearless advocate for body confidence, mental health, and self-celebration.
