General Article Olympians are super fit. That doesn’t mean we’re healthy

Topic Selected: Abortion and Pregnancy Options Book Volume: 454

I thought I knew what was good for me, but as I transitioned to real life, I had to strive for balance rather than excellence.

By Laura Zeng

I competed at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games as an elite rhythmic gymnast, and after training from the age of six until I was 22, I thought I had developed all the necessary habits for a healthy life: how to eat right, exercise, handle my emotions and take care of my body.

But upon retiring, I struggled to run for more than a minute on the tre...

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