Suni Lee doesn’t accept “no” for an answer. In her toughest moments, and there have been many in the last few years, the world-renowned gymnast has chosen to see the possibilities instead of dwell on the negatives. Her persistence has led to breakthroughs few would’ve thought possible and strength even Suni didn’t know she had. In our latest Humans of HOKA film, the six-time Olympic medalist shared her inspiring journey into the sport, how she navigated three kidney diseases during her sophomore year at Auburn, and her next chapter exploring the fashion industry in New York City. HOKA: We love that you discovered gymnastics on YouTube. Was there a specific gymnast or video series that inspired you? Suni: I was really inspired watching Olympic meets on YouTube and studying the gymnasts. Nastia Liukin was someone that really inspired me and a person I really looked up to as I was discovering gymnastics and starting to compete. HOKA: You hit a difficult period during your sophomore year at Auburn when you were diagnosed with three kidney diseases. At one point, you didn’t know if you’d be able to continue with gymnastics. How did you push forward in those early stages? Suni: Being diagnosed during my sophomore year at Auburn was really hard. Not just because of the pain and the uncertainty, but because gymnastics had always been such a huge part of who I am. What helped me push forward was my support system. They reminded me that it was okay to take things one day at a time. I focused on listening to my body, giving myself grace, and celebrating small wins. Eventually, I found strength in knowing that even if gymnastics looked different for me, I still had the fight to keep going. HOKA: You shared that you navigated depression during this time. Who or what helped you maintain your motivation and ultimately find a way on the other side of it all? Suni: My doctor, my team, my coaches, and my friends and family were all instrumental in supporting me. They helped me navigate through my diagnosis and everything that came with that mentally. HOKA: At what point did you realize you could return to the level you wanted to be at? Was there a training session or a moment at a competition when you found that hope? How did it feel? Suni: For me, the moment was actually when my doctor told me that I likely wouldn’t be returning to gymnastics at all. Hearing that declaration set a fire within me like nothing else had. I wanted to prove to myself that I could not only get through this, not only get back to where I was, but be better because of it. From a skill standpoint, I was better in Paris than I was in Tokyo. And it was because of that fire, that first “no,” that I was able to climb my way back. HOKA: To come back from that ordeal and win three medals at the Paris Olympic Games is incredible. What did you learn about yourself through that process? Suni: I learned that I’m so much stronger, both mentally and physically, than I thought I was. I also learned that choosing to keep going is a victory in itself. That mindset helped carry me all the way back to the Olympics, and to the top of the podium. HOKA: You’re now living in New York City. What inspired your move? Suni: I’ve always loved New York, and moving here was about stepping outside of my comfort zone, embracing change and experiencing something new! You’re navigating a transition period away from gymnastics for the first time. Have you discovered anything surprising about yourself or your aspirations while embarking on this new chapter? Suni: I’m leaning into new passions and pushing myself out of my comfort zone on a daily basis. As someone who has relied on routine for all of my life, I’m surprised at how I’m thriving in the unknown and embracing everything that comes with that! I’ve always been one to strive for perfection, which is not surprising given my sport, but I think there is a lot of beauty in the imperfections of finding yourself again. HOKA: You’ve expressed an interest in fashion and giving back. What do you hope to do in those areas? Suni: I love fashion as a way to express myself. To me, an outfit is not a trivial part of my day, but rather part of what makes me feel confident to show up in any room I’m in. Just like a leotard can give you an aura of assuredness in yourself, which trickles down to how you perform your routine, so can an outfit that you wear off the mat. I’m so interested in how clothing can be used to make you feel certain ways, and how styles evolve throughout the decades to speak to more underlying messages in culture. I’m excited to do more in fashion and to be a part of that creative community that I admire so much. HOKA: What advice would you share with fellow athletes facing challenges while chasing a big dream? Suni: Even on the hardest days, keep showing up for yourself. Every step forward, no matter how small, gets you closer to your dream. As I always say to myself, nothing more, nothing less. Your normal, whatever it looks like that day, is always good enough.