theGrio

Back to the Top

Main menu

Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Music
    • The Dish
  • Health
    • Ask Dr. Ty
    • Black Men’s Health
    • Black Women and Breast Cancer
    • Back to School Health
  • Living
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Living Forward
    • Books
  • Politics
    • Perry on Politics
  • Sports
  • News
    • Good News
  • Opinion

Inspiration

Gabby Douglas: ‘I almost quit gymnastics to work at Chick-Fil-A’

by Carrie Healey | December 3, 2012 at 4:32 PM
Comments
Print
Olympic gymnast Gabrielle Douglas attends the 22nd annual Glamour Women of the Year Awards at Carnegie Hall on November 12, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Olympic gymnast Gabrielle Douglas attends the 22nd annual Glamour Women of the Year Awards at Carnegie Hall on November 12, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Related Posts

  • Gabby Douglas wins Olympic gold in individual all-around
  • Gabby Douglas preparing to launch gymnastics tour
  • Gabby Douglas on Corn Flakes box
  • Gabby Douglas' secret to success: 'Always stick to your sport'
  • Can Gabby Douglas inspire more black girls to embrace gymnastics?

Having moved far from home to train for the Olympics, Gabby Douglas told her mother when she was 15 years old that she was ready to throw in the towel, move home, and “get a job at Chick-Fil-A.”

Douglas texted her mother, “gymnastics is not my passion anymore,” according to the New York Daily News.

In her new memoir, Grace, Gold & Glory: My Leap of Faith, Douglas reveals that she just wanted to be a normal teen.  She had moved away from her Virginia Beach home at the age of 14 to train in Des Moines, Iowa with renowned gymnast trainer Liang Chow.

Only after a talk with older brother John did Douglas decide to keep training in Iowa.

Along with homesickness, Douglas discusses the painful absence of her father and the racism she faced during her time training in Virginia Beach.  She noted that her father, Air Force Staff Sgt. Timothy Douglas, was not as supportive as he portrayed to the media which caused resentment.

Douglas also discusses being a victim of racial bullying from past teammates and even coaches.  She claimed she was told in front of teammates that she needed a nose job by one of her coaches.

Gabby Douglas’ memoir Grace, Gold & Glory: My Leap of Faith is set to be released tomorrow, December 4th.

Follow Carrie Healey on Twitter @CarrieHeals.

  • NBA player Tyson Chandler attends Bally & DKMS 'Lips for Life' Capsule Collection Launch cocktail party on October 25, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Bally)
    Next Story:

    Knicks’ Tyson Chandler aides NYC’s Far Rockaway residents affected by Hurricane Sandy

  • Michael Gary, founder of Inner City Lacrosse, introduces boys and girls to the sport while also encouraging them to pursue academic excellence.
    Previous Story:

    On lacrosse field, inner city kids dream big

Filed in: Inspiration, Living, Sports | Related Topics: Chick-Fil-A, Father, Gabby Douglas, Gold Medalist, Grace Gold & Glory, Grace Gold and Glory My Leap of Faith, Gymnastics, Homesick, London Olympics 2012, Memoir, Olympic Training, Racism
  • Learn about our User Panel

    Read More
  • New Stories on theGrio

    • Chef describes Michael Jackson children’s lives to jury Chef describes Michael Jackson children’s lives to jury
    • Lil Wayne addresses US flag flap Lil Wayne addresses US flag flap
    • Tracee Ellis Ross launches ‘Hair Love’ campaign Tracee Ellis Ross launches ‘Hair Love’ campaign
    • Bumps in Booker’s path to US Senate Bumps in Booker’s path to US Senate
    • Bill would honor Buffalo Soldiers’ role in parks
    • Allen West: Women in combat are threat to ‘American warrior culture’
    • Miami Heat’s NBA Finals fashion
    • Drug testing for food stamps?
  • What Your Friends Are Reading

  • More from theGrio

More Stories on theGrio

Top News

Politics

  • President Barack Obama is greeted by Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron (L) at the official arrival of the G8 leaders at the G8 venue of Lough Erne on June 17, 2013 in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland. The two day G8 summit, hosted by UK Prime Minister David Cameron, is being held in Northern Ireland for the first time. Leaders from the G8 nations have gathered to discuss numerous topics with the situation in Syria expected to dominate the talks. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

    Polls: Obama ratings start to slip

  • Obama on Father's Day reflects on his absent dad

  • Obama honors first time WNBA champ Indiana Fever

  • President Obama: Dad 'is the best job'

» Read More in Politics

Business

  • Jay-Z (YouTube)

    Jay-Z announces new album

  • Dunkin' Donuts: Workers who endured racist rant will be 'honored'

  • Greene Scholars seeks to place black youth in STEM jobs

  • 29-year-old hedge fund boss preying on African-Americans arrested

» Read More in Business

Living

  • Serena Williams

    Serena Williams works teeny bikini on Miami Beach

  • Daughter inspires mom's natural hair care company

  • ‘From Fatherless to Fatherhood’

  • My father called: Gays, marriage and the evolving black perspective

» Read More in Living

Inspiration

  • Singer Adele arrives at the Oscars at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 24, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

    Adele honored by Queen Elizabeth II

  • Man finds father through Facebook

  • South Africa's interracial couples

  • Mandela grandson feels 'pressure' of legacy

» Read More in Inspiration

Entertainment

  • Bill Cosby and his late son, Ennis Cosby (Facebook)

    Cosby pays tribute to his late son

  • Beyoncé, video game company settle lawsuit

  • New film explores 'How to Make Money Selling Drugs’

  • 'Sesame Street' on parents in prison

» Read More in Entertainment

News

  • A photo of Emmett Till is included on the plaque that marks his gravesite at Burr Oak Cemetery May 4, 2005 in Aslip, Illinois.  (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

    Trayvon Martin case haunted by Emmett Till

  • Woman sentenced to death at 16 is freed

  • Chad Johnson released from jail after butt-slap

  • Supreme Court to hear NJ housing discrimination case

» Read More in News

Main menu

Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
  • Politics
  • Living
  • Video
  • Inspire
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • News
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with TheGrio
  • About
©2013 NBCUniversal
Powered by WordPress.com VIP