Olympic Gymnast Shannon Miller Discusses Fighting for Her Life

Shannon Miller is an American gymnast, who was highly decorated for her outstanding talent and graceful technique. She was the 1993 and 1994 world all-around champion, as well as a member of the gold medal winning “Magnificent Seven” team at the 1996 Olympics. Miller is the most revered U.S. gymnast, male or female, at the Olympic Games – with a total of 7 medals. She is also the second most recognized gymnast in U.S. history, after Simone Biles – with a total of 16 World Championships and Olympic medals. When she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the fall of 2010 at the age of 33, she used the same strength and willpower that she depended on as an athlete to tackle her battle with the disease.

When asked whether gymnastics played a role in her battle with cancer, Miller responded “I learned through sport that the struggle is often what brings out our true character. We find out that we are much stronger than we ever imagined we could be.” She has also said, The lessons I take with me are really those same lessons I learned through gymnastics. This journey brought me back to those life lessons that are important for all of us no matter what our challenge. It helped me understand that those lessons don’t just apply to gymnastics, they apply to every aspect of my life” she said.

Photo: Shannonmiller.com

Read on to learn more about Shannon Miller’s battle with ovarian cancer, and her determination to inspire hope.