Suni Lee Gave Powerful Speech About Letting Go of Fear at the Apex for Youth Gala

Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee was honored at last night’s Apex for Youth Inspiration Awards Gala in New York City, where she gave powerful advice on finding courage.

The 22-year-old spoke candidly about the trials she faced ahead of last year’s games in Paris. “My fearlessness was tested in ways I never imagined,” she admitted. “Leading up to the 2024 Olympic trials when I battled a severe kidney disease, it forced me to stop training at possibly the worst moment. I had to let go of fear—fear of pain, of not being enough, and failing in front of the world—and focus on what truly mattered. I was told that I would never compete again, that I would never do the one thing I loved the most in the world. In those moments, I leaned on my mantra: Just my best, nothing more, nothing less, because I’m good enough.”

As the first Hmong American Olympic gymnast to win an all-around title, she acknowledged that she can be a role model to young people. But she also reminded the crowd that they should strive to do the same. “It’s our job to show future generations that someone who looks like them can achieve their dreams,” she said. “It takes ‘That can never be me,’ and turns [it] into ‘Wow, that could be me.’ Never let anyone, including yourself, place limits on your dreams. If you believe in yourself and put in the work, you’re already on the way.”

Lee also reflected on the work of Apex for Youth, which supports young Asian Americans from low-income or immigrant backgrounds. Read her full speech below:

[Being here], it makes me wish that I had an organization like this when I was younger, when all I wanted to see was someone who looked like me doing things that I could only dream of. When I think about Generation Fearless, I think about how fearlessness has shaped my journey. To me, being fearless isn’t about having no fear. It’s about facing challenges head on, knowing the outcome could go either way.In gymnastics, we literally learn to fly. We have to trust ourselves, our training, and those who lift us up. My fearlessness was tested in ways I never imagined. Leading up to the 2024 Olympic trials when I battled a severe kidney disease, it forced me to stop training at possibly the worst moment. I had to let go of fear—fear of pain, of not being enough, and failing in front of the world—and focus on what truly mattered. I was told that I would never compete again, that I would never do the one thing I loved the most in the world.In those moments, I leaned on my mantra: Just my best, nothing more, nothing less, because I’m good enough. I had to trust my abilities and relearn to use my new body, a new body that at times didn’t feel like home to me, but I never let go of my dream. But I definitely didn’t do it alone. For me, support has come from my family, my coaches, my team, and my community. I wouldn’t be standing here without them.Being a part of the Hmong community has given me pride, resilience, and responsibility. My parents came here with nothing but a dream to build a better life for their future family, and their sacrifices have shaped me in ways I’m still realizing. To leave everything you have ever known to make a new life in a new world where you don’t know the language, where you have no money, no community is a hardship most of us are blessed not to face. Their work ethic, their determination, and their unwavering belief in me have taught me that no challenge is too great if you keep pushing forward.The generations before us worked hard to create opportunity, and I hope to do the same in my journey and achievements. We have seen tonight that so many young people face challenges that feel impossible to overcome—that voice in their head telling them that they are not good enough, not worthy of greatness, sometimes because there is no one telling them that they could, or even worse, there are people saying the exact opposite.It’s our job to show future generations that someone who looks like them can achieve their dreams. It takes ‘That can never be me,’ and turns [it] into ‘Wow, that could be me.’ Never let anyone, including yourself, place limits on your dreams. If you believe in yourself and put in the work, you’re already on the way.

Every accomplishment, whether it’s an Olympic medal or the incredible achievements we’ve heard from Apex Youth tonight, is built on the strength of those around us. Behind each success is a village lifting us up: voices that remind us of our strength when we doubt ourselves, and a community that shows us what’s possible when we forget. I’m proud to be a part of a generation that is pushing boundaries in sports and in every field. I’m so excited for what’s ahead, not just for myself but for all the young people in this room and beyond. Like Apex’s mission says, the future is limitless as long as we believe in it. Thank you.

Learn more about Apex for Youth here.