Good Inside with Dr. Becky

Episode: Jordan Chiles: More Than a Moment

Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Dr. Becky Kennedy
Guests: Jordan Chiles (Olympic gymnast), Gina Chiles (Jordan's mother)

Episode Overview

This heartfelt episode of Good Inside features an in-depth conversation with Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and her mother, Gina Chiles. Dr. Becky explores the pressures, triumphs, and setbacks of Jordan’s gymnastics career, the role of parental support in high-performance environments, and how identity and self-worth develop and shift through adversity. The episode is rich with honest reflections on handling disappointment, the importance of repair in parent-child relationships, and actionable wisdom for parents supporting ambitious kids.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jordan’s Early Years: Channeling Energy and Finding Gymnastics

• Jordan was an energetic child: She was “the type of child that couldn't sit anywhere, couldn't do literally not one thing without having to move” (Jordan, 02:59).
• Origin into gymnastics: Her parents sought an outlet for her energy, enrolling her in gymnastics almost by accident after suggestions from others (Gina, 04:48).
• Parenting perspective: Gina highlights the difference between seeing a child’s unique qualities as a problem versus as something special to channel (Gina, 04:48).

“We didn't want to make her feel like something was off or wrong. We just knew we needed to give her some type of outlet.” – Gina (05:44)

2. From Joy to Intensity: The Changing Relationship with Sport

• Initial joy: Jordan experienced pure fun and joy in gymnastics at first, seeing it as a way to earn rewards and make her parents proud (Jordan, 06:59).
• Recognition of talent: Around age 12, she realized she was exceptionally gifted, which began to shift her relationship to the sport—competition and pressure became more intense (Jordan, 06:59).
• Impact of adversity: Jordan experienced emotional and verbal abuse from a coach; public school became a crucial space for maintaining normalcy and balance (Jordan, 09:15).

“At a young age, I knew I was going to become an entertainer and I knew I was going to be somebody. I just didn’t know how.” – Jordan (07:56)

3. The Parent’s Journey: Recognizing the Dream

• Learning gymnastics as a parent: Gina recounted not understanding gymnastics at first, but quickly recognizing "something special" when Jordan began consistently standing on the podium (Gina, 11:16).
• Letting children lead: The Chiles family prioritized Jordan’s joy and interest above external pressure or their own desires (Gina, 11:16).

4. Failure, Pressure, and Parental Support at the Olympics

• Tokyo 2021 setback: Despite a record of consistency, Jordan fell during a critical Olympic routine and struggled with feelings of deep failure (Jordan, 14:04).
• Raw, supportive parenting: Gina described comforting her daughter remotely, affirming Jordan’s intrinsic worth beyond her performance (“You are an Olympian…You are still Jordan Childs. You are not a failure.” – Gina, 16:35).
• Parental resolve: Despite wanting to rescue Jordan from pain, Gina encouraged her to finish what she started for her team—a demonstration of tough love and unshakable belief.

“The first thing that came out of her mouth was, ‘Mom, I failed. I’m a failure.’... and I was like, no, you are an Olympian.” – Gina (16:35)

5. Identity Beyond Achievement

• Healing and growth: Over time, Jordan learned to separate her athlete identity from her whole self, especially during her college years and after exploring activities outside gymnastics (Jordan, 22:55).
• Preserving self: Intentionally avoids conflating her worth with achievements; insists on being “Jordan the person” outside the gym (Jordan, 24:45).

“My sport doesn’t define who I am. Nothing can define who I am except for Jordan Chiles the human.” – Jordan (24:45)

6. Parenting Wisdom: Advice and Repair

• Home as a refuge: Gina shares that they learned not to bring up gymnastics at home unless Jordan wanted to talk about it—preventing added pressure (Gina, 26:13).
• Parental role in adversity: Encouraged Jordan to remember her love for the sport and not to let negative experiences dictate her direction (Gina, 29:05).

“When they leave the gym, do not ask them about gymnastics.” – Gina (26:41)

• Repair in parenting: Gina recalls a powerful moment of apologizing to Jordan for not protecting her enough during difficult coaching periods (Gina, 33:51).

“My one job was to protect her. And in that moment, she wasn’t being protected. So it was a huge moment...I just told her, I'm sorry.” – Gina (33:51)

7. Mindset, Self-Talk, and Affirmations

• Developing self-motivation: After painful experiences, Jordan created personal mottos/affirmations each year ("not done yet," "always believe in the power of your dreams," "I’m that girl," etc.) These helped her stay motivated and became inspirational to others (Jordan, 30:21).
• Lessons for younger athletes: Emphasizing that failure, saying no, using one’s voice, and being oneself are all "okay" (Jordan, 31:38).

8. Memorable Rapid-Fire Moments

• Superstitions: Jordan’s (unintentional) ritual—always having PF Chang’s lettuce wraps before a meet (32:45).
• Proudest moment: “Not allowing myself to quit at my weakest moments.” – Jordan (33:23)
• Gina’s proudest parenting moment: Apologizing when she realized she hadn’t protected her daughter enough (33:51).
• Best parenting advice: “Listen... really see it and respond appropriately because ultimately they’re in your care and you have to make those hard decisions.” – Gina (35:10)
• Most cherished aspect of their relationship:
  • Jordan: “Not doubting me in what imaginations that I had.” (34:48)
  • Gina: “That she feels free to be real in conversation, and I get a kick out of that.” (34:56)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "We didn't want to make her feel like something was off or wrong. We just knew we needed to give her some type of outlet." – Gina (05:44)
• "I knew I was going to become somebody. I just didn’t know how." – Jordan (07:56)
• "You are not a failure. This is a success. You have given everything... You are still Jordan Chiles." – Gina (16:35)
• "My sport doesn’t define who I am. Nothing can define who I am except for Jordan Chiles the human." – Jordan (24:45)
• "When they leave the gym, do not ask them about gymnastics." – Gina (26:41)
• "Not allowing myself to quit at my weakest moments." – Jordan (33:23)
• "My one job was to protect her. And in that moment, she wasn’t being protected. So...I just told her, I’m sorry." – Gina (33:51)
• "Listen and really see sometimes...and respond appropriately because ultimately they're in your care." – Gina (35:10)

Important Timestamps

• [02:59] – Jordan describes her energetic childhood and introduction to gymnastics
• [04:48] – Gina on parenting a child with exceptional energy
• [06:59] – Jordan on initial joy, the shift to competition, and adversity in the sport
• [11:16] – Gina talks recognizing Jordan’s true talent
• [14:04] – Jordan discusses her Olympic disappointment and feelings of failure
• [16:35] – Gina responds with loving perspective and resilience in parenting
• [22:55] – Jordan on defining herself beyond sport, discovering a fuller identity in college
• [24:45] – Jordan discusses separating athlete identity from self
• [26:13] – Gina’s advice: separating home and sport
• [30:21] – Jordan shares affirmations and the importance of mindset
• [32:45] – Rapid-fire rituals, proud moments, and parenting advice

Summary of Takeaways for Parents and Listeners

• Channel your child’s uniqueness: What feels “too much” may be their gift in disguise.
• Prioritize emotional support over performance: Especially when children face disappointment.
• Foster identity beyond achievement: Make sure kids know they are loved for who they are, not just what they do.
• Be willing to repair: The courage to apologize and repair fosters trust and resilience.
• Listen deeply and watch for subtle cues: Sometimes, children communicate most about their needs between the lines.

Closing Reflection

Dr. Becky wraps up by underlining the episode’s key truths:

• You are more than a moment or achievement
• Repair is critical in parenting, not perfection
• Our influence continues as we serve as the caterpillar for someone else’s butterfly

For anyone, parent or not, this conversation is an inspiring reminder of resilience, empathy, and the power of firmly-rooted support on the journey to becoming “more than a moment.”