Perfect 10’s, Gold Medals and The Importance of Being Yourself | with Jordan Chiles

Summary

Casuals with Katie Nolan: Episode Summary

Episode Title: Perfect 10’s, Gold Medals and The Importance of Being Yourself | with Jordan Chiles
Release Date: March 6, 2025
Host: Katie Nolan
Guest: Jordan Chiles, Olympic Gymnast
Co-Hosts: Isabella Brady and Chris

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Introduction

In this engaging episode of Casuals with Katie Nolan, host Katie Nolan is joined by co-hosts Isabella Brady and Chris to delve into two main segments. The first segment discusses a recent social media incident involving the Houston Dynamo and Lionel Messi. The second, more in-depth segment features a profound interview with Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, who discusses her new book, personal struggles, and her impact on the gymnastics culture.

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Segment 1: Houston Dynamo’s Apology Regarding Lionel Messi

Timestamp: [01:00] – [05:32]

The episode begins with a discussion about a social media post from the Houston Dynamo, a Major League Soccer (MLS) team. The Dynamo issued a statement apologizing to fans for Lionel Messi's absence in their upcoming match against Inter Miami. The crew examines the tone and implications of the apology, highlighting the significant influence Messi has on ticket sales and fan engagement.

Notable Quotes:

• Chris: “Why can't they train in those states? Because that's not where their stadium is.” [01:07]
• Isabella Brady: “I know it's New England Patriots. Why do Massachusetts? Do they train in Massachusetts? Is that why Massachusetts has more of the claim?” [01:13]
• Chris: “Houston was apologizing to fans who had bought tickets to the game...it has been reported that he did not make the trip.” [03:00]

Discussion Points:

• The economic impact of star players like Messi on local sports events.
• The unusual nature of a team apologizing for the absence of an opposing star player.
• Ticket pricing dynamics influenced by high-profile athletes.

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Segment 2: In-Depth Interview with Jordan Chiles

Timestamp: [11:23] – [67:22]

The heart of the episode features an intimate and revealing interview with Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles. Jordan discusses her new book, I'm That Girl, which chronicles her journey through gymnastics, personal challenges, and her advocacy for authenticity and mental health in sports.

Book Discussion and Personal Journey

Timestamp: [15:53] – [19:01]

Jordan expresses her excitement and honor in finally telling her story through her book. She emphasizes the importance of conveying her true self, including her struggles and triumphs, to inspire others.

Notable Quotes:

• Jordan Chiles: “I am not perfect. I am not just a happy girl all the time.” [16:14]
• Chris: “You say you're not perfect. Ironic, given the recent tens you've been pulling in.” [17:09]
• Jordan Chiles: “It's a cherry on top of an amazing ice cream sundae.” [19:10]

Key Insights:

• The emotional and psychological pressures of high-level athletics.
• The transition from elite to collegiate gymnastics and the retention of perfect scores (tens).
• The significance of maintaining authenticity amidst external pressures.

Overcoming Abuse and Racial Challenges in Gymnastics

Timestamp: [23:12] – [30:04]

Jordan delves into the darker aspects of her gymnastics career, including verbal abuse and racial discrimination. She recounts experiences where her coach undermined her identity, such as forcibly cutting her hair, which deeply affected her self-esteem and sense of belonging.

Notable Quotes:

• Jordan Chiles: “I was verbally abused... that's not right.” [25:26]
• Chris: “You didn't do anything wrong.” [28:54]
• Jordan Chiles: “Sports should be able to have fun. You should walk into the gym or onto a football field and feel confident.” [26:50]

Discussion Points:

• The normalization of abusive behavior in sports training.
• The impact of racial discrimination on young athletes.
• The importance of supportive family and community in overcoming adversity.

Cultural Impact and Changing the Gymnastics Landscape

Timestamp: [43:05] – [46:13]

Jordan highlights her role in transforming the culture within gymnastics. By embracing her individuality—through tattoos, personal style, and authenticity—she challenges the traditional norms of the sport, making it more inclusive and expressive.

Notable Quotes:

• Jordan Chiles: “I have changed the culture of the sport and what it's like to just be you.” [43:14]
• Jordan Chiles: “Art is what makes the beauty in anybody...put it to the forefront.” [48:04]

Key Insights:

• The evolution of artistic gymnastics to incorporate personal expression.
• The positive reception from younger generations embracing diversity in appearance and style.
• The role of athletes in driving cultural change within their sports.

Friendship and Support Systems: Simone Biles and Beyond

Timestamp: [48:26] – [54:52]

Jordan shares the depth of her friendship with Simone Biles, highlighting how Simone has been a cornerstone of support and inspiration in her life. This bond not only strengthens their athletic performances but also provides emotional resilience.

Notable Quotes:

• Jordan Chiles: “Simone is the most outgoing, spunky, amazing friend that any girl could ask for.” [48:26]
• Jordan Chiles: “She taught me what it's like to love her husband... to have days that aren't good but still enjoy the fact that I have a sport, but I also have a life.” [48:26]
• Chris: “You don't do anything wrong, and I see how much you mean to her.” [unspecified timestamp]

Discussion Points:

• The importance of strong personal relationships in high-pressure environments.
• How friendships can provide balance and perspective beyond competitive sports.

Handling Public Scrutiny and Personal Advocacy

Timestamp: [55:16] – [60:42]

Jordan discusses the ongoing controversy surrounding her bronze medal, emphasizing her commitment to justice and transparency. She advocates for recognizing the broader context of her experiences, pushing back against misguided criticisms, and asserting her right to her achievements.

Notable Quotes:

• Jordan Chiles: “I deserved that award the same way I deserve my medal.” [39:49]
• Jordan Chiles: “My passion in my ability to put myself on the biggest stage of my life... but you still criticize what I'm doing.” [39:23]
• Jordan Chiles: “In order for me to have the power that I needed... I can't change my body.” [45:02]

Key Insights:

• The complexities of public perception and athlete accountability.
• The intersection of race, gender, and sports in media narratives.
• Jordan's resilience in advocating for her rightful place in gymnastics history.

Personal Interests and Future Endeavors

Timestamp: [60:03] – [67:22]

Towards the end of the interview, Jordan shares personal interests, including her love for music and fashion. She also discusses her engagement with music artists like Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé, reflecting how these influences inspire her artistic expression in gymnastics.

Notable Quotes:

• Jordan Chiles: “I'm a Jordan Ones girl. I like dunks and I like Jordan fours.” [61:17]
• Jordan Chiles: “I changed the culture of the sport and what it's like to just be you.” [43:14]
• Jordan Chiles: “Megan sent me flowers... I’m always a beehive.” [62:10]

Discussion Points:

• The role of personal interests in shaping an athlete’s unique performance style.
• The influence of contemporary music and fashion on gymnastics routines.
• Jordan's vision for the future of her career and personal growth.

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Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode concludes with Katie Nolan and co-hosts encouraging listeners to read Jordan Chiles' new book, I'm That Girl. They commend Jordan for her openness, strength, and the positive changes she is fostering within the gymnastics community. The hosts express their admiration for Jordan’s perseverance and her role as an inspiring figure both within and outside the world of sports.

Notable Quotes:

• Chris: “You deserve all of it and more. You have remained strong in the face of a lot of difficulty and you are amazing at this.” [63:09]
• Jordan Chiles: “Thank you so much. You guys go run it up. Go get the book.” [63:48]

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Key Takeaways

1. Authenticity in Sports: Jordan Chiles emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself, challenging the restrictive norms traditionally imposed on gymnasts.

2. Overcoming Adversity: Her experiences with abuse and discrimination highlight the need for supportive environments and advocacy within athletic programs.

3. Cultural Transformation: Jordan's influence is pivotal in making gymnastics more inclusive and expressive, inspiring the next generation of athletes to embrace their individuality.

4. Mental Resilience: The conversation underscores the significant mental and emotional strength required to excel in high-pressure sports while maintaining personal integrity.

5. Support Systems: The invaluable role of friendships, particularly with Simone Biles, showcases how strong personal bonds can enhance both personal well-being and athletic performance.

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Recommendations for Listeners

For those interested in the intricate dynamics of high-level gymnastics, personal resilience, and the ongoing cultural shifts within sports, Jordan Chiles' interview provides a compelling narrative. Her book, I'm That Girl, offers further insight into her journey and is highly recommended for an in-depth understanding of her experiences and advocacy.

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End of Summary

Transcript

[Katie Nolan]

At T Mobile we'll give you four free 5G phones and four lines for only $25 per line per month with eligible trade ins. And no, it's not a contest. It's every day for a limited time. Everyone's a winner on America's largest 5G network. Minimum of 4 lines for $25 per line per month with autopay discount using debit or bank account. $5 more per line without autopay up to $830 off each phone via 24 monthly bill credits plus taxes, fees and $10 device connection charge. 4 well qualified customers contact us before canceling entire account to continue bill credits or credit stop and balance on required finance agreement due bill credits end if you pay UP devices early. CT mobile.com Are you still quoting 30 year old movies? Have you said cool beans in the past 90 days? Do you think Discover isn't widely accepted? If this sounds like you, you're stuck in the past. Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide and every time you make a purchase with your card, you automatically earn cash back. Welcome to the now it pays to Discover. Learn [e-mail] credit card based on the February 2024 Nelson report Isabella did you.

[Chris]

See that DK Metcalf has requested a trade? Remember DK Metcalf? We had him on the podcast.

[Isabella Brady]

Does he know where he wants to go yet? Did he say?

[Chris]

Well, he said he wants to go to a contender, which I think technically does rule out New England.

[Isabella Brady]

So I know it's New England Patriots. Why do Massachusetts? Do they train in Massachusetts? Is that why Massachusetts has more of the claim?

[Chris]

Yeah, yeah.

[Isabella Brady]

New England's also what, Rhode Island?

[Chris]

Sure. And Connecticut? Vermont and New Hampshire for sure. Maine as well.

[Isabella Brady]

Yeah. So why can't they train in those states?

[Chris]

Because that's not where their stadium is.

[Brady]

So they were the Boston Patriots until 1970. They moved to Foxboro in 1971.

[Chris]

So let's reclaim Boston Patriots.

[Isabella Brady]

Wait, but then I feel bad for Vermont and them. They don't have a team.

[Chris]

Hello and welcome to Casuals, the show that loves sports and wants to share that with everybody. It's for all of us. Come on in. I'm your host Katie Nolan. Today on the show, boy, we have a huge guest. Superstar Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles is here. We are not going to waste too much time. Before we get to that, if you want to email us, you can at Casuals with katienolmail.com you can call us 646-801-004, 3 or. Or Casual is the podcast on socials we were just going to chat about. I guess like a little bit of new. I saw this story a couple days ago. I guess it's kind of old news now, but it's interesting to me and I'm interested to talk to you guys. The crew, Isabella Brady and Chris are here to talk about this story. So it was a game. It was in regards to a game on Sunday night and it's now Thursday. So like I said, not new news, but the Houston Dynamo, a team in the. In Major League Soccer mls, sent out a tweet that was a typical, like an apology you see on social media. So like a black background, white font. So, you know, like, oh, something went down. What is this in regards to? And so I clicked on it and it was them apologizing for Messi, Lionel Messi, who plays for Inter Miami, a team that was going to be playing against Houston in Houston on Sunday. Lionel Messi will not be playing in that game. And so Houston was apologizing to fans who had bought tickets to the game. I'll read. Let me just read what they. What they wrote. The Houston Dynamo are excited to host Inter Miami at Shell Energy Stadium on Sunday evening. The recently shared player status report for the match did not include Ford Lionel Messi, but it has been reported that he did not make the trip. Houston, unfortunately, we have no control over who plays for our opponent. Duh. We look forward to hosting everyone tomorrow for what will be an incredible atmosphere and celebration of soccer for the city of Houston. To show our appreciation, fans who attend tomorrow night's match can claim a complimentary ticket to a future Dynamo match this season. Additional details will be provided early next week. So there's kind of, I guess, pretty careful not to say they apologize, but the vibe of that feels like an apology. And I'm fascinated by how stark that is, that if your team that you're playing's best player can't make it, that your first thought isn't to be like, hell yeah, that guy's not gonna be here. We're gonna win this one. And instead you say, hey, guys, sorry. And if you want to come to a different game, you can come to one for free on us.

[E]

I think it just shows how big Lionel Messi is.

[Chris]

Right?

[E]

Because coming into this game, I think that the ticket prices for this game got jacked up so high.

[Chris]

I saw 250 resale, $2.50 resale.

[E]

That's still a lot of money.

[Chris]

I checked like I wanted to. I'M like, these must be so expensive. And they didn't seem as. And that's not me saying that 200 is not a lot for an MLS game that I assume and don't even know. Regular season, middle of the se. Where are we in the MLS season? Part of the no one knows. The pause is no one knows.

[Isabella Brady]

And that if I were to guess, maybe third semester, we are two games.

[E]

Into the MLS season.

[Chris]

Oh. Oh, okay. So that's fine. That I didn't know because I haven't been. Then I'm absolved. We're all absolved from our sins. Our sins against sports. Yeah. I think. Yes. You charge a lot for your tickets. The ticket price goes up based off of it being Messi. Who? Isabella, I. You. I assume you might know this one, but Messi's like a. Yeah, like a big international superstar. Right? Just making sure somebody out there might not. He's like a big, big, big deal. This is the end. Tail end of his career. So he came to MLS to give him a bunch of money. He's, you know, it's like a big sideshow when he comes to the game and everybody wants to see Messi play. And I get that. Like, I. I do understand that. But it's just funny when real life and sports collide in this way where you're like, economically, I understand why they would apologize, but you're also, like, you're the team that he's playing. Again, we're supposed to boo. We hate this guy. Like, we want to beat him. Nobody even wants to.

[Isabella Brady]

I know. My first thought was, like, how bad are the dynamo that, like, you know.

[E]

They'Re not the draw card for their own fans.

[Chris]

That speaks to, like, our national appetite for domestic soccer is low. Pretty low. That's why I feel like you shouldn't be able to change how much you charge for a ticket to a game. As long as you're playing the same game and there's no, like, concert at halftime or something that you could reasonably say, like, you shouldn't be able to charge based off of the quality of the players. That's, like getting too involved in the game financially, you're. You should have to charge the same across all. Unless it's playoffs.

[Brady]

Like, I get that if there's a game and like, Megan the Stallion is going to perform at halftime, you pay more. And then if she doesn't show up.

[Chris]

Then you a big Megan thee Stallion Guy Brady.

[Brady]

She's big in Houston. I figured she's like, the most Houston act they could pull in there?

[Jordan Chiles]

Well, yeah.

[Chris]

See, I.

[Isabella Brady]

You didn't answer the question though.

[Chris]

Okay, sorry.

[Brady]

If Paul Wall is playing at halftime and Paul Wall does not show up.

[Chris]

You a big Paul Wall guy?

[Brady]

Hell yeah. I'm 40. I am Paul Wall's exact demo.

[Chris]

So true. God, 40 year old white dudes love Paul Wall.

[E]

I didn't even know Paul Wall.

[Chris]

What?

[Brady]

Chris drives too fast.

[Chris]

Chris, where did you grow up again? Remind.

[E]

Melbourne.

[Chris]

Yeah, well, that's gonna be. I don't think Paul made it that far past the Wall in my life. Yeah.

[Brady]

Right now there are people listening like, hell yeah, Paul. They have turned us off right now and.

[Chris]

But he's not the stereotype he looks like, if that makes sense. He's almost. He's almost defied. It's a complicated. It's not the same as when you see other people do that. I feel like. Is that a fair.

[Brady]

It says Paul Wall was the Cooper de Jean of a previous generation.

[Isabella Brady]

Oh, yeah.

[Chris]

Yes, I think yes. Where's Bubba? Who's Bubba? Sparks's comp. Let's.

[Isabella Brady]

I've never seen this man in my life.

[Chris]

Really? Paul Wall? Yeah.

[Isabella Brady]

I've never seen this man. You know that Kiki Palmer.

[Chris]

Yes. I'm sorry to that man.

[Isabella Brady]

I'm so sorry to that man.

[Chris]

I'm so sorry.

[E]

Is Paul Wall the American version of Robbie Williams?

[Chris]

No, absolutely not. What?

[E]

Again, the fact that was he that big here and he just never made it overseas because Robbie Williams was huge and no one in America knows about him.

[Brady]

No, he's not a way bigger star than Robbie Williams. I guess that's fair.

[Chris]

No, he's not as big as you guys. And if he is, then you guys are overstating Robbie Williams fame and it's been insane this whole time. But no, I don't think. I think wasn't that big. My mom would not know who Paul Wallace is.

[E]

Oh, okay.

[Chris]

I. My dad would not know who Paul Wall is. I don't. My dad would. No.

[E]

I'm trying to figure out the level of fame.

[Chris]

It's not. He's not famous. He's not that famous. He's not that famous. I don't feel bad, but with our Gen, it was like his music was when we were in like middle high school.

[E]

Right.

[Chris]

So that's why we.

[E]

So don't.

[Jordan Chiles]

I.

[Chris]

You know, you don't have to say it every episode. We cut it out.

[Jordan Chiles]

Yeah.

[Chris]

Chris is Gen Z like me.

[Isabella Brady]

In case you guys.

[Chris]

Chris looks at me and says, I'm younger than. And it's like, all right, just Facts. I just feel. Did you guys see that? Fanatics and Fanatics and Ticketmaster teamed up, but they're calling it a dual part. So basically, it's like Ticketmaster's gonna sell merch. Bad merch. And Fanatics is gonna sell bad tickets. I mean, what is. My question, I think is like, when do these people have to stop? Have you seen some of the hats Fanatics has been putting out? They'll do a thing that feels very AI generated, where they'll take like, the two teams that are playing against each other and put their two logos on a hat and write like verses in between it and put the date of the. You're like, who's buying that?

[E]

It's like the NFL who.

[Chris]

Yes, but somehow worse. It's like, who's buying that? Sports merch is like sports merch, she said.

[E]

Sounds right.

[Isabella Brady]

Sports merch.

[Chris]

Sports merch is just like. Seems like such an easy thing to get right? That, like, oh, my God, you have the exclusive rights to this. Coveted. These coveted symbols. Just turn them into clothes we want to wear. And fanatics is like, no, but how about this? A disposable piece of garbage that'll fall apart as soon as you wear it. That commemorates a game that doesn't matter and makes you wear the logo of the team you're not rooting for on your hat. Stupid. So, I don't know. Cool for the Houston Dynamo, I guess, to have. Thank you for the. I guess that is better than nothing. What do you want them to do? Right? They're not gonna give you your money back. The game's still being played.

[Brady]

I want them to beat the hell out of Miami and then move on with their lives. Be like, hey, fans, we just beat them three. Nothing.

[Chris]

Can you look it up? Did they. Did they win?

[Brady]

They did not win because they were.02.

[Chris]

So I guess it didn't really matter. What a messy situation. For 140 years, MultiCare has been in Washington prioritizing long term solutions, partnering with local communities, and expanding access to care. Together, we're building a healthier future. Learn more@ multicare.org Daredevil is born again on Disney Plus. My name is Matthew Murdoch.

[Jordan Chiles]

I'm a lawyer.

[Chris]

Exactly what kind of a lawyer are you? A really good one. Critics everywhere agree it's the best Marvel television series. Gritty, intense, and elevated, it's Daredevil at his best. If you step out of line, I will be there. Marvel Television's Daredevil, born again, now streaming.

[Jordan Chiles]

Only on Disney Plus.

[Katie Nolan]

Are you still quoting 30 year old movies. Have you said cool beans in the past 90 days? Do you think Discover isn't widely accepted? If this sounds like you, you're stuck in the past. Discover is accepted at 99 of places that take credit cards nationwide and every time you make a purchase with your card, you automatically earn cash back. Welcome to the now it pays to Discover. Learn [e-mail] creditc based on the February 2024 Nelson Report.

[Chris]

Okay, that is the news. That's it. One story. One story. It's just something I saw that I thought was really interesting, but I didn't want to take away too much time in this episode. From our interview today, which is with Jordan Chiles. This is Jordan Charles has a new book. It's out now. It's called I'm that Girl. I read it. Full disclosure, I read it. Like I got a copy, right? Like a day and a half before this interview. And I didn't want to be that person that maybe older Katie would have been. That was like, I got the book, but I'm not. I don't have time to read a book in a day. And I was like, no, read the book. Read the book and talk to her about her book. And I what I didn't realize is like how a lot she's been through a lot. And that reading that book really rocked me. And I think you might hear that in my voice a little. This woman's been through a lot and she's super young and that was a lot to process. If you don't know Jordan Chiles, I mean, you must be living under a rock. But we were mostly introduced to her on a global scale in Tokyo in 2020, when Simone Biles famously suffered from the twisties which had her lost in the air and feeling confused, which is very unsafe when you perform at the level that Simone Biles performs at. So she was not to compete. And Jordan and the team had to step up and they did really well. They got silver, which they were shorthanded. It was wild. And then this summer in Paris, you may remember, there was a scoring controversy. So they won the gold team medal. Team USA did. And then Jordan had won bronze and the floor exercise. This was that historic podium. It was Rebecca Andrade from Brazil, Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles. And then we later learned that that bronze medal was being taken away from Jordan. It's a little bit of a complicated situation and unfortunately we don't get into it too much in this interview because it's still ongoing, which is good news. That means It's. It's not finalized, but basically a little bit of back and forth of a score inquiry was submitted and it wasn't taken into account. Then they took it into account, so she got the bronze. And then. And then the other team was like, well, now hold on a second. They didn't do. They took too long to submit the inquiry. It's very murky, and if you're curious and interested in about it, there's a lot of good stuff to read up about it. We don't get into it that much here, but we do talk about how it affected her. We talked about that wasn't the first time in her life she had an award taken away from her. And we talk about a lot of the stuff she's been through. I'm going to give a mild trigger warning here for abuse. Um, but Jordyn was incredibly open. She's truly such a remarkable figure in sports. It was fantastic to get to talk to her, and I'm excited to share that with you now. So here is Jordan Chiles.

[Jordan Chiles]

Thank you so much for having me. I'm excited to dive deep into it.

[Chris]

I mean, so much. We have so much to get to. The new book, I'm that Girl out now available now. How do you feel? The process of writing a book is long and arduous, I hear. How does it feel that it's like, out of you now?

[Jordan Chiles]

Honestly, I can tell you, when I was writing it, I was like, there's no way I'm telling my story right now. It was a dream of mine ever since I was little. I believe I had told my mom. I was like, you know what it's like? One day. One day I'm gonna write a book about my. My crazy life of mine, and we're gonna see how it turns out. And to know that I have this opportunity to finally tell my story how it's supposed to be told and, you know, hopefully people get an understanding of how I've become the person I am today and all the struggles and pains and aches and, you know, ups and downs in every body's life and how I'm not perfect. People think I'm the most perfect person. I am not perfect. I am not, you know, just a happy girl all the time. So knowing that I had this opportunity and it's out in the world and that people get to read it, I'm just really honored and excited.

[Chris]

You say you're not perfect. Ironic, given the recent tens you've been pulling in. It sounds like you are perfect. Before we dive right into the book, I mean, hello, tens. Perfect tens. It's confusing, I think, to a lot of people, because when we watch Olympic gymnastics, perfect tens aren't a thing. But in collegiate gymnastics, they are still a thing and you are still racking them up.

[Jordan Chiles]

Thank you. Yeah. So the difference, I know a lot of people always do ask. They're like, okay, so with college gymnastics, you guys get perfect tens, but in elite, it's different. Well, back in the day, a perfect 10 was. That's how the scoring was before, you know, generations happen and people kind of develop more of the sport, and it just point systems and execution and difficulty just started to go higher in the elite world. So it definitely is crazy to know that tens are still being honored and that people get to establish them and have this opportunity to feel like, you know, oh, wow, this was something that was back when, you know, Diane Durham was in the. The sport and, you know, Betty Okino and all those people, and it's just cool to have that feeling. And, yes, it's crazy to know that I have tens, and it's crazy to know that they're still racking up and I'm just honored and I have fun with it. College gymnastics is really fun, and I get to show more of my personality than being, you know, the elite girl that people see all the time. So it's definitely a cool experience. Filling. It is different. Like, when you know you got the.

[Chris]

10, it's just, oh, my God.

[Jordan Chiles]

It's. It's the feeling, the. The vibes, the part of your team that comes together, your coaches, the fans. It's just a cool opportunity.

[Chris]

What does it feel like? Because, I mean, most people listening to this will never, ever know. What does it feel like when you're like, that was perfect.

[Jordan Chiles]

It feels like when you know it's perfect. Like in my flirting that I did that I got a 10 on recently, it feels basically when you go into a restaurant and you know what you're ordering and you know that it's going to be. It's going to taste so good that you can already fill it and you can already, like, you know, taste the. Whether it's like a steak or salmon, you can taste the flavors and all that. So that's how I put it in. In that way. It's like basically like a cherry on top of an amazing ice cream sundae.

[Chris]

That I can relate to. Thank you very much. It's a perfect way. It's like order at a restaurant and it's a thing you really Want to eat?

[Jordan Chiles]

Yes. Like, those type of feelings are something that not a lot of people get to feel. And so when you know inside of you and you have that feeling leading up to whether it's your last pass or even just the last finish, it's just a remarkable feeling. It feels like you just reached the highest of all heights. And, you know, you're that, that star that is just the brightest in the sky. And I love it. I enjoy it.

[Chris]

Well, you are the brightest star in the sky. One thing that stood out to me while I was reading this book is, you know, you're. I'm reading about all of the, you know, the beginning of your gymnastics career, and I have to keep reminding myself, like, this is a seven, eight, nine, year old child. Like, it's the way you're having to decide that this is going to be your life. It happened in the span of 18 months. You started gymnastics, quote, unquote, late, right? For, for most people, and then you, within 18 months, it was your life. What, as a kid, how. Do you have any idea what's going on? Or are you just. I mean, it does seem like your body was just made to do gymnastics. Like it lives in you and it just was trying to get out. But, I mean, what a. I, I, When I had to pick my major for college, I was like, I'm too young. I'm just a little girl. I don't know what any of this is. You were literally a little girl setting yourself up for life.

[Jordan Chiles]

So during that time, I probably didn't know anything that I was doing. I just was told that since I had such high energy, or as people would say, I had really bad ADHD when I was younger. And it was an outlet for me. And in order for me to have conversations with my family without moving so much, my energy went all into my practices. And I didn't think the thought of becoming an Olympian would be in gymnastics. I can tell you that. I never thought, you know, oh, yeah, gymnastics is going to be your sport. I just had a dream of doing that. So knowing that in the span of, you know, starting when I was 7 to now, 20 plus years, that little girl probably was just in the gym being like, yeah, I'm doing flips, I'm playing around, I'm having fun, I'm jumping, I'm doing all these things, but then I start to progress. And that's when I realized, wait, I'm competing and I'm getting ribbons and I'm getting medals and this is fun. Wow, this is great. This is cool. Like, I feel like I am somebody, like, okay, but to tell you the truth, at a young age, you never really know how your life is gonna go. I always think of it as, you know, you think of becoming an astronaut and you never know. It's an imagination. You never know what reality could truly look like. And that's how it was with my sport. It was an imagination. I really was just in there trying to, you know, play pretend with other teammates or something like that, thinking that it wasn't a play date, but it was a playdate at a gym. And I wasn't having dollhouse parties or anything like that. My dollhouse parties were at a gym. So it was more of a discipline and a maturity thing that I had to develop when I was younger. And I don't think I would be in this position now to be able to, you know, say at seven years old.

[Chris]

No.

[Jordan Chiles]

I don't even know if I even knew what US History was like, but I knew that if I was. I knew I was flipping on a 4 inch piece of wood. Like, all those things are crazy to think about. And I'm just really happy that I was able to develop a different type of maturity and a different type of discipline to where now I can say, you know what? Like, I know when to say yes or no or I know when to say it's time for me to stop. Because at that time, I didn't. I was just like, yeah, I'll keep going. I'll keep pushing. I'm just gonna keep running down, you know, the vault Runway or something like that. So definitely didn't have truly a clue what was happening, but obviously it turned.

[Chris]

Out to be something good, something amazing, especially impressive given, you know, I did not know the extent of what you had been through with a coach. And you get into it quite a bit in this book. It was really hard to read. I don't mean that like it's a hard to read book. I just mean like, it was hard to read. Yeah, the sort of. I don't want to put words in your mouth. It felt like abuse to me. That you experienced at the hands of one of your coaches, a person who's supposed to be guiding you and helping you grow. And it hurt to read the things that this coach would say to you. And I think it came to a point. Was it at your first trip to Olympic camp when you had to share a room with your coach and they cut your hair off? I'm not ashamed to admit I cried at that part of the book. That's an incredibly invasive thing to do to you at a moment in your life that you're already nervous and everything's changing. And there's a lot riding on this moment. How do you process that at that age? How do you pick yourself up and do what you need to do to do?

[Jordan Chiles]

So during that time frame, a lot of the time people would always say, it's just the part of the sport.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Jordan Chiles]

And I, nor my parents knew what that meant. We were just like, okay, yeah, it's just part of the sport. But my mom had a feeling, because that went too far. That went to an extent like, you cut my hair. Because it wasn't the proper way an athlete should look. And for me, I didn't know what to do in that timeframe. I didn't. I didn't know if this was normal, if it wasn't normal. But I do know it was not right. The right thing. I was verbally abused. I was very devastated in a lot of ways, but it was all. I was always told, it's just the sport. It's just the sport. And it's like, now that I think about it, that's not the sport. No, that's not the sport at all. It's not, you know, knowing that you are supposed to have a mentor, a coach who is supposed to help you get to your goal, and she tears you down. That's not something a little girl wants to go through. And during that, that was more of a racial situation. You're telling me just because I have braids in my hair and I don't look like all the other athletes, I have to be presented in a way to look like them, even though that's not me. That doesn't make any sense at all. So it was a crazy time frame. I have to say that I am very thankful that I was able to survive. I always tell myself I survived a crazy era. I survived a time frame that, you know, a lot of people would just be done for, and it wouldn't be for, you know, the support that I have or, you know, the. The family members that are backing me up and everything that I'm doing. But I truly think that time frame was off. God. God was trying to show me, no matter what is thrown at you, right. People always say when watermelons get thrown at you, it's the toughest thing in the world. That's what was happening. I got. I had watermelons, lemons, coke, whatever.

[Chris]

It was whole fruit salad, literally.

[Jordan Chiles]

But God knew that I had the capability of being as strong as I am, as being, you know, the person that I am to create this strong, beautiful athlete. And so I don't want that to ever happen to anybody. I don't. But at the end of the day, it shaped me to be the person that I am today. It is something. When I had to explain it when I was writing the book, it was very hard to remember because I was a time frame that I was like, I don't want to remember that. I don't want to have to look back on the fact that I got, you know, my braids cut off. I don't want to remember that I may have been smoked out in the car. I don't remember. Want to remember those things at all, because those were devastating times. And that's what I mean by I wasn't perfect because I could have said something, but my voice was silenced. I was silenced for that time frame. So I didn't have a say in what I wanted to do or what. What I didn't. At the end of the day, it all came down to, well, that's just the sport. So that term I wish people could kind of give a better example of. Okay, so then what is the sport? You're telling me that being, quote, unquote, whether it's emotionally, whether it's verbally abused is something that's normal. That's not normal. Sports should be able to, you know, have fun. You're. You should walk into the gym or, you know, onto a football field and feel confident and okay with what you're doing. And that is something that I wish that I could have seen when I was younger, but I didn't. Again, I didn't have a voice, and I was silenced, and I couldn't do anything about it. But, yes, that was a very devastating time frame. And I hope people know that this isn't just, you know, oh, she's trying to say this, or say that. Like, no, these things actually happened to me. I had to deal with them my whole entire life. I still have trauma from them. I still wake up and I'm just like, oh, like, what am I. What am I doing? I'm doing something wrong. Like, I still have those little things that stick with me because of my past. So it was definitely. It was hard to process I was something that I did have to figure out how to process as I did get older, because it just only got worse until I had to realize, you know what? It's time to move on. You have.

[Chris]

Yeah, you. You talked about in the book about. And this happened to you, it feels like the theme I felt throughout reading it was that, like, clearly you were made to do this, and yet at every turn, you kept getting hit with, like, it's not for you. It's not for you. It's not for you. And, like, as a reader, I was like, come on, baby. It is for you. Don't stop. And. And, I mean, first of all, your parents sound like the most sweet angels on earth. The way that they parented you, the way they taught you that, like, no one's gonna tell you who you are. I'm Jordan Chiles.

[Jordan Chiles]

Yes.

[Chris]

That was beautiful. And I know you've been very thankful and loud about how wonderful they were as parents. I wanted to let them know if they hear this, they nailed it. Like, what an amazing job. But it was. It really felt like this sport that you were clearly made for kept telling you it wasn't made for you. And I just wonder, like, the way you persevered through that and now are exactly who you are. Unapologetically, it speaks to. I know you said I had to go through that, but also, I think it just speaks to the person that you are. I'm realizing this isn't a question, but it is something I wanted to say to you because I just. I mean, the more I read that, it was just like, that's not how we wear our hair. That's not the type of music that we like to dance to. That's not the way your body should look constantly over and over. And now it's like, I guess not, people, because look at me. Here I am succeeding at the highest level of the sport. Like, you feel that, right?

[Jordan Chiles]

No. Yeah, I do. 100%. When it comes. When it comes to certain things that as a gymnast, I can't even say athlete, because, I mean, I'm a gymnast. There's more than, you know, what people see. And I think when people read this and they see, you know, or they're reading or listening, and they have the ability to realize that I was the black sheep of everything. I was always the one that people didn't expect to get a medal. People didn't expect for me to be that good. People didn't expect that I was able to accomplish all the things that I was accomplishing. And that's why I wanted to give this opportunity to show the struggle and the resilience that I had coming out of it. Because, yes, I could have just let it all be right there in that moment, any of those moments. That I am explaining whether, you know, I'm explaining about my hair, whether I'm explaining about, you know, missing assignments because I didn't have a coach, whether it was any of those things. But I still had the courage and the resilience to put myself in that position. So for you to say that makes me happy, because it's like that, if that's how you're feeling, what is everybody else going to feel? And what is everybody going to say about those things? But again, I was known as the black sheep. And I accepted that because I was like, okay, if I'm. If I'm gonna be that way, then why not shine bright, right? You know, you were telling. You were saying that, you know, my parents always have told me, be the best Jordan that you want to be. You're only one Jordan. I can be. You know, I could try to be other people, but that's not who I was. I was always trying to be a better version of myself each and every day. Whether I did get tear down, whether I did get, you know, shown something totally different, whether people didn't like the way I danced or the way I chose my music or my hair or something like that, but those were things that I was establishing within myself, and that was just me being authentic to who I was. I'm not going to change myself to give a different picture. That's not how it works. I'm the one painting the picture. I'm the one who's constantly on the floor. I'm the one who's constantly doing all these things. And why can't you guys accept the fact that that's me? Why do I have to be somebody else? So that's. That part in the book is very, you know, it very. It does hit. Trust me. When I was reading, I was like, oh, oh, my God. And I'm the one who was talking about it, like, it does hit really, really hard. But I'm hoping that people understand that this is just me. This is me being the person that I was and all the things that I had to go through. And I will continue. If I'm still. That if I'm still the black sheep, I will continue to be the black sheep. Because it has done me wonders. It has done me a million different things that I can stand right here, right now and say, you're the reason why Jordan Childs is Jordan Childs. And I'm very grateful for that, like, 100%, because what more can I give that was that. That's another thing. What more can I give. If I'm giving all my potential and giving you guys what you, quote, unquote, are expecting and you're still not liking it, then what else do you want me to do about that?

[Chris]

Right? Also surprising to me was this theme that this, you know, what happened at the last Olympics, which we can get into, was not the first time that something was, like, given to you and then taken away from you.

[Jordan Chiles]

No, not at all.

[Chris]

I was like. Because I. When it happened, I was happy to see you say in the book something like you were thinking about, like, can I just leave the country with it? And then they can't take the medal from it. Because my first thought was like, jordan, get on a plane. Get on a plane. You're not going to come pick it up. That's too expensive. Get on a plane.

[Jordan Chiles]

Leave with it.

[Chris]

Oops, I lost it. I can't get it back. It was funny to see that you had that thought, too, but to know that for you, it was like, I've been through this already. This has happened to me before.

[Jordan Chiles]

It was. Yeah, I was really young when this happened. I was so excited to get up on that podium and accept my award and take it home with me. But that didn't happen. I got it stripped away from me because of my skin color, and I wasn't very welcomed at this competition. And it was in my eyes during that time. I was young, so I was just like, okay. Like, they just took. They just took my. My award for me, and that's okay. But my mom, in that moment knew what was happening. And so for her to speak about it or even remind me of that time from. Because I was young, you don't really remember that much younger.

[Chris]

And none of it makes sense. You, in the grand scheme of. You don't know the world yet.

[Jordan Chiles]

Exactly. You're still processing. Your brain is still developing. So now that I think about it, that was the most devastating thing any girl could ever go through. Like, when she told me, I literally got tears in my eyes. And I was like, wait, that actually happened? She goes, yes. And I was like, mom, what are you talking. She's like, this actually happened to you when you were younger? And I was like, that is so crazy. And I'm still here standing till this day, the person that I am. And for it to kind of to literally be a full circle moment just made me realize I was tested at the beginning of my career to see what my end goal is going to be. Yeah, God has his ways. I try to tell people, God has His ways for you to understand what your life is supposed to be at a young age and seeing how it flourishes as you're getting older. And so that was a. That's, like a testament to me. That's something that I really, you know, want people to see that. This has happened to me once before I was young. I didn't know what to say. But now that I have a voice, I'm gonna say what I need to say now, because that's not right. It's not right to do anything that people are doing, and it's not just because of who I. Because I'm an athlete. No, there's more to it. There's a broader picture, and people don't see the broader picture. People only see, well, maybe she didn't deserve it, or maybe she didn't do this, or maybe she didn't do that. And it's like, no, I did everything that I need to do. I deserved that award the same way I deserve my medal. And yet y'all still don't see the broader picture. And that's why there's so many different things. Like, you were saying how, you know, I was like, maybe I just take it with me and, you know, say I lost it or something, because those are the things that I think in my head. But it's, at the end of the day, my passion in my ability to put myself on the biggest stage of my life or the littlest stage of my life and give my all and give you guys an entertainment that you guys so say pay for or came and watched, and yet you still criticize what I'm doing. And y'all the ones who are watching, y'all are watching it. Y'all are watching what I'm doing. Whether I was younger, whether I'm older, and y'all are still trying to take something away from a girl, a young girl, or my older, younger self.

[Chris]

Still a younger girl. Still a younger girl. Yeah.

[Jordan Chiles]

And you're trying to take that away from her. Like, there's so much to it. And I think that's why saying those things, whether I, you know, wrote it in the book or just even on social media, there's a broader picture. And during that time frame of me being younger, I didn't see that. But now that I think about it, it's a full circle moment. And I can talk about it, and I can say what I need to say.

[Chris]

We've never seen a gymnast have a metal stripped for anything other than, like, drug offenses or, like, rule breaking. That's what if I can be. That's what pissed me off is I was like, she didn't do anything wrong. And I remember there being a wrinkle about. They were doing a documentary about Simone and the cameras captured the clock that actually proved that the coaches had submitted the inquiry. I know people get very lost in the. In the murkiness of this very confusing situation that ended with your medal being taken away, but I guess my most basic question for you is, is this matter resolved? Is it over? Are you. Is the. The medals been taken back and you are done, or is it still playing out?

[Jordan Chiles]

No, it's not over. It's still ongoing. My lawyers and my attorneys are the ones who are kind of laying everything out and they are the ones who are taking control. I haven't been in the loop of every.

[Chris]

Good, good. And you shouldn't be.

[Jordan Chiles]

You shouldn't be.

[Chris]

Keeps you from that do. That's what they are good at and this is what you are good at. So literally. But if you could let them know that I said, get that medal back for her, she deserved it. And that podium, that was such a beautiful and like, historic podium that it really, it really. I know I'm preaching to the choir, but it really hurt to have that be the moment that they took away from you. And I'm upset about it and I'm going to be upset about it for a very long time. One thing that you said in here, in this book that I really like, sat with was when you were talking about gymnastics being a sport of illusion in a number of ways, but basically that you're expected now to be such powerful gymnasts, but to appear like frail, skinny little girls. And I think, you know, I watch a lot of gymnastics. I. No big deal. I was a rhythmic gymnast when I was a kid.

[Jordan Chiles]

Okay. Okay.

[Chris]

And. And so I've watched a lot of gymnastics and I think I knew that, but to hear you say it like, that also reminded me, and I don't. We don't need to talk about it, but it reminded me of, like, abuse that gymnasts suffer and they're not supposed to show. You're just supposed to look like our ideal little girls and who are so tiny and frail, but, wow, look at how they sure do flip. And I sort of love that you've stood in your truth on that and been like, hey, to do what I've got to do, this is what my body looks like. And I know you mentioned in here that you not diagnosed with an eating disorder, but you developed a difficult relationship with food. I think that's incredibly relatable to young women in a number of different industries. But I think that. Do you feel like that's. Maybe this makes you feel like it's your. I don't want to make you feel egotistical, but do you feel like you've had a change, an effect on the sport and the way that people. What we're looking for, showing people that it can look all different types of ways?

[Jordan Chiles]

I can definitely. I can definitely say, you know, how people say that people can change the game of a sport. I can definitely say I changed the culture.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Jordan Chiles]

And I'm very honored to be a part of that. In creating that it's okay to be yourself. Not everything is going to be perfect. And, yes. Did I get. You know, I always wondered why I wasn't getting judged the same like everybody else. I always wondered why, you know, things weren't looking the same. Trust me, I did. But then I realized, in order for me to have the power that I needed, in order for me to be as powerful as I am, I can't change my body. I. God created this body for a reason. He can't tell me to change it. There is no point for me to change it. And that is something like with the eating. Yes, I did have a dislike to eating because I was always told that, you know, I would look like a sack of potatoes or I. My. I had a double head or my butt was too big. Yes, I went through that phase. But that's typically imposter syndrome. Right. Every woman has that. And I think it's something that. It's just engraved in us. And as an athlete, it's even more. Because we are constantly told something different. Every day I would get weighed. You're telling me £110 is too heavy? Come on, now. I'm £110. Like, you want me to be 99. 90. Like, I'm going to. That's not healthy. Like, my health is more important than my sport. And that's when I started to realize, okay, Jordan, your health is more important than your sport. You need to look healthy. You need to look that. That is what's going to be able to give you your power and everything that you need. So it definitely is. I can say I have changed the culture of the sport and what it's like to just be you. I have tattoos. I have, you know, so many more.

[Chris]

Than I knew you had. You have so many tattoos.

[Jordan Chiles]

I have so many tattoos. My nails are done. My lashes are done. Because those are things that I enjoy and I want to be able to enjoy myself and be able to enjoy my sport as well. So it is, you know, crazy that the development of people are having the ability to be themselves more. I have little girls come up to me and be like, oh, my gosh, like, so I have my nails. I love the way that. And I'm like, okay, period. Like you do, you little one. I go for it. But I'm happy. That's what people are thinking now. And it's not, you know, this is what you have to look like. You have to be strict, you have to do this, that and the other. So I'm proud to say that, yes, the culture of the sport is changing now. And it was back then very, very strategic and very strict in a lot of things. But we're growing, generations are growing. Every the, the younger generation is looking like me now. Like there's nothing we can do about that. In more and more girls are having the opportunity to be themselves. And I think that's why people are enjoying our sport more because, oh, I see her personality or I see her with different hairstyles or this.

[Chris]

So I know this song. I feel like I know this. So underappreciated. Like, I know this song. Let me watch what she does to it.

[Jordan Chiles]

It's like exactly.

[Chris]

So obvious that I'm like, gymnastics, wake up. Like, this is it watching you date. Like, flip to Beyonce rules. Like, you had a Normani routine. I remember.

[Jordan Chiles]

Yes.

[Chris]

Like, it's. That's the stuff that. It just seems so obvious to me. And I love you've been like, this is what it is. And I'm gonna do it this way 100%.

[Jordan Chiles]

And that's what. Back then everything was just okay. So it's called artistic gymnastics for a reason. Back then it was just gymnastics, gymnastics, gymnastics, let's do flip. All this stuff. Now that I've been able to incorporate what I've been doing, whether it's Beyonce, whether it's Normani, whether it's throwing it back to the 90s, whether it's, you know, Megan, thee stallion. That's what art is. We use music to create what we're doing. Right. We're in practices, listening to music. So why can't we incorporate the art part of it in artistic gymnastics and make something greater so people can be entertained? Yes. It's already amazing that we have for flipping on a 4 inch piece of wood. Why not make it even more amazing of them being in the crowd? Like, oh my gosh, do you guys Remember this song? You remember that one time. Like, those are memories that the audience are making as well. So the broader picture and the broader part of what it's like is understanding that the culture of gymnastics is changing and that I was a part of that. And I'm continuing to change what it's like to be an athlete and also understanding that it's called artistic gymnastics. The art is what makes the beauty in anybody. And if we're the beauty and we're those people, then why not put it to the forefront?

[Chris]

We all know that you're friends with Simone Biles. Yeah. Reading this book, I really came to understand, like, the depth of that friendship and what she really means to you. And, you know, everybody knows Simone Biles the gymnast, but I was wondering if you could give people a little bit of insight into Simone Biles the friend and what that's like.

[Jordan Chiles]

Yes. Simone, honestly is the most outgoing, spunky, amazing friend that any girl could ask for. I never knew I needed somebody so deeply in my life as much as she came in. And she has done wonders. She helped me find a love again. She helped me be able to understand my sport a little more. And as being the person she is. Being a three time Olympian, she's the goat for a reason, right? Like, she's done immaculate things in gymnastics, but she's taught me what it's like to love her husband. She's taught me what it's like to be a dog mom. She's taught me what it's like to have days that aren't good but still enjoy the fact that, yes, I have a sport, but I also have a life. And knowing that I have somebody like that, I can kind of navigate my life in a way to be like, okay, if I wake up in the morning and I have not the best hair day, let's figure it out. Let's do something. Let's laugh about it, let's joke about it. Let's look at ourselves in there, you know, And I think that's something that people don't get to see because it's always the sport, the sport, the sport. But I got to see, even during COVID I got to see the Simone who likes to go eat with friends. I got to see the Simone who loves her dogs deeply. I got to see the Simone that had a snake at one point in time. Like, we were feeding snakes. Yeah, I got to, like, I got to experience those things. I got to experience the Simone that people should be able to see now on a broader picture, because she is an amazing athlete, but she's also an amazing friend. And I wouldn't change anything, anything, anything, not one bit about her, because she has brought me to be the person I am today and to be able to use my voice when it's needed.

[Chris]

It's very striking to me how gymnasts have to carry on when their friends are, like, hurt or going through something. Listening to you talk about the Olympic trials and how, like, somebody would, you know, hurt their ACL or something, and then their dream was dead, but you were up next, and you kind of have to just, like, you feel for your friend, but you got to get back in your bubble. Was really, really fascinating to read that part of your book, but it also kind of made me look at Tokyo and think how uniquely difficult for it to be your. Your friend who is like, you. You gotta go. And you said that at some point, someone came out and just said, put your grips on. And you were like, what? What do you mean? And you had seconds to. To process that. How? I mean, are you just. Is your mind just running wild in that moment? What are you feeling?

[Jordan Chiles]

Well, during that time frame, that moment, honestly, I was just like, what is happening? What do I do? I literally had no words during that. I just followed my. The person who came out and told me was my coach, Cecilandi, and she. Jordan, you need to put your grips on. And I was like, huh? What? No way. What's happening? Like, what? Okay. So at first, I was just in my head thinking, okay, this is just a precautionary thing, just in case. And I was like, no, it's not. Because then that's when Simone came out and told us everything. And I was just like, there's no way I am about to put myself in these big shoes right now. Because I was like, this is my first Olympics. Like, what is happening? Like, I'm so confused.

[Chris]

There's no one in the audience that's, like, adding to the weirdness of it, and you're a big, like, hype energy person, and it's empty.

[Jordan Chiles]

Empty, nothing. I couldn't even look at my parents to be like, what is happening? There is nothing. So in that moment, which felt like 15 seconds to me, but I asked my parents, and they were like, no, it was more like 15, 20 minutes. I was like, okay, in that time frame, I had to really think about, okay, Jordan, this is the test that you have to pass. What are you gonna do? And that's when I realized, I'm going to put myself in these gigantic shoes known as Simone. Biles and give her what she deserves. And everything that I was doing the rest of that time, frame, bars, beam, floor, everything. I was doing it for her. Because I know she would have been so, so, so sad, so, so sad if something else went wrong and she was in the same boat as we all were in. We decided to stay an extra year to go to an Olympic Games. We decided to do all those things. So to be in that moment, it was like, how can we support her and do the things that we're doing for her? And the way that she returned it while getting us chalk and doing this and giving us the support and loving on us, it made it so much easier for me to be like, okay, I made her proud. That was my biggest thing, is how can I make her proud knowing that I put myself in this position? So it was really in that moment. Everything was a blur. But if I look back, I was very, very proud of myself that I was able to fulfill the test. And I passed it. And we got to come home with a silver medal with three people.

[Chris]

Incredible.

[Jordan Chiles]

Three people, like, we competed with three.

[Chris]

People, like, who didn't know that was how the day was going to go at all.

[Jordan Chiles]

At all.

[Chris]

Oh, it's.

[Jordan Chiles]

I give kudos to Grayson Suni because it wasn't even just like, you know, oh, we're all good. No, we all had to come together. That was the moment. We literally all had to come together and finish the meat strong because we needed to make something great, something happen. And so it was a. It was a cool experience. Definitely cool experience. I learned a lot from it. You know, I learned that I could lead. I learned that I could be, you know, trusted, confident, all those things. So I definitely can say it was a great experience. But I have told her multiple times, I do not want to fill your shoes ever again.

[Chris]

Don't ever do that to me again.

[Jordan Chiles]

No, because it was so. It was so like, ah, what am I doing?

[Chris]

But I would crumble under the pressure. There's many differences between you and I, but one of them I know is I would crumble under that pressure.

[Jordan Chiles]

But I knew. I knew I had a job. I knew that was the reason why I was on the team and I had a job because that whole year, I was consistent so that I knew this was where, okay, they can trust me. And so here we go.

[Chris]

I mean, side note, twisties. Now that I know about them, sounds like the scariest thing that's ever happened on Earth. Just like, you're in the air. And I also think it's wild how you guys can notice it when obviously the layman can't really. Like, something's up.

[Jordan Chiles]

Yes.

[Chris]

I mean, that's. You did such a good job of describing what a perfect 10 feels like. Is there, like, a restaurant analogy for what a twist. Twisties moment feels like? Because that just sounds like. And I can't picture it.

[Jordan Chiles]

Okay, so one of my teammates, Jocelyn Robertson, actually explained this very, very, very well. And she was basically explaining it as if you're going on a roller coaster and you don't know where the turns are coming. Ah, yeah. So that analogy is kind of what it is with the twisties because you don't know what's gonna happen. You're just right. You're in your. Your seat. Especially if you're going backwards and you don't see anything, and all of a sudden you're just twisting and turning and you don't know when it's gonna stop.

[Chris]

I mean, and then you have to hopefully land. That's very, very scary.

[Jordan Chiles]

Yes.

[Chris]

Yikes. There should be a specific prayer away from twist of like twisties. Leave me alone. Please do not visit me today. That's a nightmare. Is that I spent that entire Olympic cycle just feeling scared that it could hit anybody. I wish I could go back to not knowing about it.

[Jordan Chiles]

I hate it.

[Chris]

I hate that it exists. Your grandpa Gene, rest in peace. Not being able to go to and watch you because he was afraid. He was so nervous it would make you nervous. Cutest thing I've ever heard in my life.

[Jordan Chiles]

Yes. My grandpa, he's literally the sweetest. He did pass away almost two years ago. A year ago. Oh, that's so crazy to think about. So, yeah, almost two years ago. It was a sudden situation. I honestly don't even couldn't tell you how he passed away. Like, it was just all of a sudden I found out we had to go to the hospital and he was in a coma and then it was time for him to go. But yes, he always told me that was one thing he would. Every single time I'd come back from a competition and he would tell me, he'd be like, mejita. He was like, I. I haven't watched it yet, but I heard you did good. Because Google told me and oh, my gosh. I'm like, yes, Grandpa, I did. And so he would actually record it and watch it at a later time. Because he did. He just didn't feel like being in person was. Was the best for me because every. Because he hadn't been to a meet Literally my whole life. I think of when I even started, and it was just like, okay, if that's what you think, that's what you think. But it's. It's crazy. He did go to one meet, though, and it was. It was in Texas. It was NCAA's. And I was just very, very happy that he showed up. And, you know, I will forever be able to cherish that because, you know, he always told me that I. I had one more Olympics in me. He always told me, you know, he still. I can hear him in my ear, you're the best gymnast out there, mijita. You're the best gymnast out there. So I definitely, you know, always have him in my heart, and I cherish everything that he had given me and can taught me when I was younger and his little snacks that I would steal from his lunch pail and all those things. So he was. He was a little. He was a funny guy. He was a handsome dude, too.

[Chris]

Oh, really?

[Jordan Chiles]

My grandpa was pretty handsome, yeah.

[Chris]

Okay, I'm gonna see if Google can tell me about that. When we're. You talked about how you've got a theme in all of your elite seasons on that girl was one of them. Oh, me doing this off the top of my head is a nightmare. Little Miss never gonna give up.

[Jordan Chiles]

No, Little Miss not done yet. Those. All those sayings or mottos typically came from time frames of, okay, I did an Olympic Games once, so let's run it back. I did an amazing year, so let's. You know, I'm not done yet. Of course. Like, hello. And then I'm that girl, obviously, you know, it was just more of an affirmation and kind of giving me the ability to look at myself and be like, you've struggled, you've conquered. You've done all these things, but you're still that girl. You're still standing on two feet, thriving. Everything, you know, all the potential that you have is being given out to the world. So this year, I haven't found one yet.

[Chris]

All right. I don't mean to rush it. It will come.

[Jordan Chiles]

No, but I've been listening A majority of. A majority of Where I get my mottos typically come from songs.

[Chris]

Yeah, that makes sense. And so what are we listening to right now?

[Jordan Chiles]

So. Right. Recently, I've been listening to Megan's album for.

[Chris]

I don't know, Megan, who famously sent you flowers? Just from Megan.

[Jordan Chiles]

Yes. Megan the Stallion. Yes. She sent me flowers. I've been recently listening to her album, but I also been recently listening to Coco Jones's. Album as well. So it just varies. I don't know what's gonna. What the motto is gonna be this year.

[Chris]

I can't force it. It'll happen when it happens.

[Jordan Chiles]

Yeah, well, you gotta let us know.

[Chris]

Okay, good, good.

[Jordan Chiles]

You'll probably see it. You'll probably see it.

[Chris]

Okay, good. And then I know you're named. I think a lot of people know that you're named after Michael Jordan and you're a bit of a sneaker head. Do you have a favorite pair of sneakers?

[Jordan Chiles]

Oh, everybody always asks me this question. I never can choose. I just always say, I'm a Jordan Ones girl. I like dunks and I like Jordan fours. But if I truly had to choose, it would either be my off white Jordan Ones or my Swarovski dunks.

[Chris]

I mean. Yeah, good choice. That sounds like a sparkly good choice to me.

[Jordan Chiles]

Yes, yes. And I'm pretty sure I think I did wear them to a meet one day. One time. I forget what meat it was, though. I think it was when I wore my white inspired Beyonce Leo last year. I think I wore them there.

[Chris]

Beyonce, another person who has reached out to you.

[Jordan Chiles]

Yes, yes, she has. I'm actually staring at her vinyl that's on my wall right now that she sent me. Just the inspiration that she has given me as being a person and what she has gone through through the 20 plus years of her career as being an artist and the dedication and passion in trying to change the, the way of, longevity of being an artistry. And it's just immaculate to me. So I definitely will forever be a beehive. No, like, I'm always a beehive.

[Chris]

Are you going to Cowboy Carter? Did you get tickets? How long do those go on sale?

[Jordan Chiles]

They, they went on sale. There's. Okay, so there's like five different packages that you can go through.

[Chris]

So complicated.

[Jordan Chiles]

It's. It's complicated, but worth it. Yeah. And you know it. You're gonna get your ticket, so. But yeah, I'm just, I'm honored that I have so much support and fan base that I get to enjoy and appreciate because never in a million years did I think that I was going to get a vinyl from Beyonce or flowers from Meg thee stallion, or even a text from Michael Jordan. Like, or have Gabrielle Union in the stands, like never in a million years again. It goes back to what I was saying at the very beginning. It's, it's, it's an imagination that a little girl makes. And when it comes to reality, it's just something that you will forever cherish. And I couldn't be more thankful that God has given me this gift and this ability to put to the forefront of the world and I get to continue it on and see where it takes me.

[Chris]

You deserve all of it and more. You have remained strong in the face of a lot of difficulty and you are amazing at this. Watching you is electric. It's exciting. You make me proud to be an American at the Olympics. Rooting for you. Watching ucla, like, figuring out how to watch collegiate gymnastics so I can watch you. Incredible. You're amazing. Jordan Chiles. Thank you so much for being here. Everybody can get your book I'm that Girl. It's available now. Go read it. It's tough in parts, but if you power through, you get to know you as a person and what an amazing person you are.

[Jordan Chiles]

Thank you so much. You guys go run it up. Go get the book. For real. I better see it everywhere. But no, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity and me explaining what my book is all about and, you know, finding little things about who I am as a person.

[Chris]

Yes, you heard her. Let's run it up. Let's go get her. But thank you so much to Jordan Chows for being so open with me. It was awesome to talk to her. I wish her nothing but success in the future. What an exciting, exciting. She's just like a such an exciting personality. So fun to watch her do gymnastics. If you're maybe not a gymnastics person, look up some Jordan Chiles videos she's got. So she's just like so good at it. She's so entertaining and just wonderful. So go buy her book. I'm that Girl. Available now. Wherever you get books. I don't our bookstores. Go get it wherever you get it. I'm sure you can probably get it on a digital copy. I don't know. I'm like, my poor producers are like, we don't know. Get it. Just Google it and get it there or use Chat GPT. I. Are you guys using Chat GPT like that?

[E]

No, me neither.

[Chris]

And I. I've just been.

[Isabella Brady]

There was a couple weeks where I was.

[Jordan Chiles]

I've never used it.

[Chris]

Yeah, I mean, I used it once, but I used it. It was like when it first was in the news and I was like, what's this? Maybe it can teach me how to dress myself. Answer. It can't.

[E]

I'm sure it's handy for some things, but I haven't figured out the specific things that it could help me personally with.

[Chris]

But like last Week I was hanging out more with people socially. Dan was away for a week. So I made myself have social, but thank you. I made myself, like, go out and see people. And, like, multiple times it came up in conversation. They were like, let me just ask GPT. And I was, excuse me. Excuse me. What we're not. Are we doing?

[E]

People have people say, I'm gonna Google that. Let me check.

[Chris]

I'm gonna Google it. That's what made me think of it. I think it's replacing Google in a way. I don't know. It all scares me. I'm scared of all of it.

[Isabella Brady]

I asked it one time to create, like, a very specific workout plan for me where I was like, I want to do this and this and this and this. What does that look like for someone?

[Chris]

Oh. And did it work?

[Isabella Brady]

Yeah, Yeah. I mean, I didn't stick to it.

[Chris]

But, I mean, it's half the battle. I think maybe 100% of the battle. But our generation, we used to just pay an Instagram influencer to pretend to do that for us. That was how we got workout plans. You just had to give some lady who said she could do it for you, and then she just automated it. So I guess AI is good for that. I don't know. I'm scared of all of it. You won't catch me using Chatgi, and not even because of the water thing, because I still don't even understand how that works. But I can use that as my excuse. I'm not using it because I don't want to teach it how to do the stuff I need to know how to do, because I don't. I barely know how to do those things.

[E]

Exactly.

[Chris]

I'm not trying to train one day. Yeah. I'm not training my replacement. I'm like, write me a monologue on, like. No, no, no, no. I have to know how to do that, and someday I will. All right, guys, that's our episode. Do you want me to do the Contact again? I will. You know why? Because I want to hear from you. Because I want to hear from you so bad. Casualswithkatienolanmail.com 646-801-0043 and CasualsThePodcast on social media. Because here's the thing. I'm trying to be off social media a little bit. It's not doing wondrous things for my brain, so I'm not able to. On our old podcast, I would, like, kind of mess around on our Reddit and, like, hear what people had to say. I'M not really. I'm trying not to do that this time. So if you got stuff to say that's important, you can let us know. And we tell you how to. Twice. So I'm not silencing you. I just gotta take care of my brain, you know? And I urge you all to do the same thing. Why? Because I love you. And I mean it.

[Jordan Chiles]

Bye.