9.4 Aly Raisman: Embrace Challenges

“You have to remember that the hard days are what make you stronger. The bad days make you realize what a good day is. If you never had any bad days, you would never have that sense of accomplishment!"  - Aly Raisman

How do you overcome or get over the hard days?

Life is full of ups and downs, and the best handle the roller coaster better than others.

The challenges you face — tough practices, mistakes, failures, and setbacks — build your toughness and resilience. You can’t have a testimony without a test, and without difficulty, you can’t grow.

Former Olympic champion Aly Raisman is remembered not only as one of the best American gymnasts of her era, but also as a role model for courage and resilience..

Raisman began gymnastics at age 2, and by 14 was competing at the elite level, eventually becoming the US team captain in two consecutive Olympics. 

In the 2012 London Olympics, she missed out on an all-around medal due to a tiebreaker — a heartbreaking moment — but came back to win gold on floor and bronze on beam.

After the 2012 Games, she took time off but had to fight through self-doubt and physical challenges to make a comeback for the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she won three more medals.

Raisman once said, “You have to remember that the hard days are what make you stronger. The bad days make you realize what a good day is. If you never had any bad days, you would never have that sense of accomplishment!"

Champions aren’t champions because they are perfect. Champions are champions because they keep showing up, learn from setbacks, and rise stronger every time they fall.

Question of the Day: When you fall or fail, how can you bounce back?