Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman on how she learned to advocate for her own health

September 16, 2026 / 7:00 AM EDT / CBS News

Aly Raisman has competed at the highest levels as an Olympic gymnast, often pushing her body to the limits.

A decade since she last competed, Raisman has been learning to take care of her body after years of overtraining and anxiety.

"My body completely just gave up on me," she said on the latest episode of "Healthful."

Now, Raisman is advocating for women, not just athletes, to prioritize taking care of themselves and speaking up for their needs even when they feel ignored.

When Raisman was training for elite gymnastics competitions, sessions would last up to "six and a half to seven hours" as often as six days a week. At the time, Raisman's focus was on perfection and winning. There was little time to let her body recover.

"I am a big people pleaser," she said. "It's a subjective sport, so I've always seeked validation," from coaches and judges to strangers and close family members. Even today, she said she finds it hard to focus on what she wants and how she feels first.

Day after day, Raisman was testing her physical limits to prepare for the Olympics. Burnout…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/healthwatch/