AceShowbiz - At just 22 years old, Olympian Suni Lee has faced adversity that many cannot even imagine. In a heartfelt essay for Women's Health, the talented gymnast opened up about her struggles with an incurable kidney disease and her remarkable journey toward becoming "a stronger Suni than I ever thought I could be."

"It never occurred to me that it could happen to someone my age or someone as healthy and fit as I was," Lee wrote.

The shocking news left Lee at her "lowest low," as she grappled with the possibility that her beloved gymnastics career might come to an abrupt end.

Despite the initial blow, Lee felt "the greatest surge of determination" and decided to confront the challenge head-on. "I saw the challenge laid out before me, and I faced it head-on. I thought to myself, just watch."

Although Lee has not disclosed the exact nature of her diagnosis, she shared with SELF magazine that she experienced a significant weight gain and swelling, which impacted her overall well-being.

The disease, uncommon and without a cure, forced her to withdraw from her college career at Auburn and later from the World Championships Selection Camp in August 2023.

Through sheer willpower and perseverance, Lee defied the odds and managed to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, earning one gold and two bronze medals.

Reflecting on the journey, she admitted, "It was heart-wrenching not being able to do the thing I loved. Gymnastics is my safe space. Whenever I'm working through anything emotionally, I go to the gym and work it out. It's my therapy. It's my sacred place."

While the journey was fraught with moments of doubt and anger, Lee never lost sight of her younger self and the dreams she had. "There were days when I would leave the gym in anger and felt determined to quit," she wrote. "But then I thought about little Suni and the big dreams she had. And I knew I couldn't let that little girl and her big dreams down."

Today, Lee is taking a well-deserved break from the relentless pressure of competition. "These days, I'm taking some time for myself, without the pressure of a huge goal, for the first time in my life," she revealed.

Embracing new passions like fashion and acting, she acknowledges that while she will never be the same Suni as before, she has become "a stronger Suni than I ever thought I could be."

Suni Lee's story is a testament to resilience and the power of never giving up on one's dreams. Her journey from adversity to triumph serves as an inspiring reminder for young people everywhere that strength and determination can overcome even the most daunting challenges.