How I traded perfection for peace | Gracie Gold

Gracie Gold’s battle with mental health nearly ended her career—and her life. This is how she found her way back to herself. Gracie Gold, a two-time national champion and Olympic medalist, seemed to embody perfection. But behind the medals and the headlines, her obsession with being flawless led her to a breaking point. After the 2016 World Championships, she spiraled into depression, binge-eating, and a complete loss of identity. Feeling trapped and out of place, Gold hit rock bottom before seeking help at a treatment facility. There, she finally “met herself,” learning to let go of perfection and accepting “okay” as enough. Now, she’s a mental health advocate and a New York Times bestselling author. Summary: Gracie Gold, once an Olympic figure skating superstar, shares her deeply personal journey of struggling with perfectionism, self-worth, and mental health. Despite growing up in ice rinks, she often felt trapped and disconnected from the world, likening her experience to being stuck inside a snow globe. As her skating career faltered, she internalized failure, leading to disordered eating, depression, and eventually suicidal ideation. Her relentless pursuit of perfection left her feeling worthless when she fell short. The pressure to meet external expectations, combined with personal struggles, led to a complete breakdown. A turning point came when she entered a treatment facility, where she finally felt seen and heard. Therapy helped her realize that not everything needed to be perfect and that she could exist outside of others’ expectations. By shattering the image of the "perfect ice princess," Gracie was able to reclaim her identity and step forward as her true self. She now embraces imperfection, proving that recovery and self-acceptance are possible. Key Takeaways: Perfectionism can be both a motivator and a destructive force. External validation is not a sustainable source of self-worth. Mental health treatment can be life-changing and lifesaving. Breaking free from unrealistic expectations allows for true self-discovery. About Gracie Gold:Gracie Gold is an American figure skater known for her technical skill, artistry, and resilience. Born in 1995, she rose to prominence by winning the U.S. national title in 2014 and earning a bronze medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in the team event. Gold also claimed silver at the 2016 World Championships, solidifying her status as one of the sport’s top competitors. After facing mental health challenges that led to a hiatus, she made a remarkable comeback, advocating for mental health awareness in athletics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices