10.22 Svetlana Khorkina: A Little Bit Crazy

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"You have to be a little bit crazy to do gymnastics. You have to love pain, love pressure, and love proving people wrong.” - Svetlana Khorkina

You have to be a little crazy to actually do what it takes to be great at something.

Svetlana Khorkina is a retired Russian artistic gymnast widely regarded as one of the greatest and most innovative gymnasts in history. She once said, “You have to be a little bit crazy to do gymnastics. You have to love pain, love pressure, and love proving people wrong.”

This quote showed a glimpse into her competitive fire and relentless drive. Gymnastics pushes the body and mind to extremes — long hours of repetition, constant correction, fear of injury, and the relentless pursuit of perfection. Khorkina embraced all of that.

Greatness in all areas requires a little craziness — a willingness to push past comfort, embrace challenge, and keep going long after most people would stop.

Question of the Day: When has chasing something important to you required a little bit of “crazy” — pushing through pain, pressure, or doubt — and what did you learn about yourself in the process?

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