Suni Lee has learned to ‘draw the line’ with critics who ‘tell me what I can and can’t do’

Suni Lee has never been more comfortable and confident, but the six-time Olympic medalist admitted it took a while to get there.

In an interview with We weeklyLee – the 21-year-old gymnast for Team USA who doubled her haul with three medals at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris – explained how picking and choosing which parts of her life to show on social media has taken some good old-fashioned trial and erroror, especially when it comes to discussing her recent kidney disease diagnosis.

“When it comes to talking about it on my platforms, and knowing what to share and what not to share, it gets a little tricky because I get questions all the time about what it actually is and things like that,” said Lee, speaking exclusively spoke to us about her partnership with the American Kidney Fund on their “Know Your Kidneys” campaign.

Lee added, “I know people like to make their own assumptions and things like that. When it gets to the point where people try to tell me what I can and can’t do with my life, that’s where I draw the line.”

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In early 2023, Lee was diagnosed with two types of incurable kidney diseases after gaining more than 45 pounds in two weeks. “I couldn’t go to the toilet,” she said Glamour in a story published earlier this month. “I couldn’t bend my legs because they were so swollen, and neither could my fingers. My eyes were almost swollen shut. I was like, ‘Something’s happening.’”

Lee sought the advice of USA Gymnastics’ co-head physician Marcia Faustinwhich Lee immediately had tested and ultimately diagnosed.

“I think that makes this experience so much more special,” Lee told Us. “I’m really shy. I basically just do what other people say. So standing up for myself when I was really scared, without even knowing what was going on, because, for example, I’m not a doctor. I assumed something was wrong with my kidneys based on my Google search.”

Lee said she pushed her doctor to investigate the underlying issues more deeply, emphasizing that it was more than just allergies. “I know you’re a doctor, but I feel this,” she recalled telling her doctor. “It really took a lot to get where we are now, but I’m so grateful I did.”

After gaining control of her disease and ultimately being cleared to return to competition, Lee is now looking to further the knowledge she learned along the way.

“I always knew I wanted to share my story, but it was also really important to me to partner with the American Kidney Fund because I just wanted to raise awareness about kidney disease,” Lee said. “They have so much influence on the kidney community. But also just trying to emphasize how important it is to stand up for yourself was another big reason I wanted to do it.

The ‘Know Your Kidneys’ program is designed as a tailored experience for people at risk of kidney disease and those living with it, providing comprehensive, interactive resources to support them throughout their kidney disease journey.

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LaVarne A. Burtonthe President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Kidney Fund, shared how Lee’s involvement will help save lives.

“The sooner you identify that something is wrong and you can develop a treatment plan and work with your healthcare providers to stick to that treatment plan,” Burton told us. “Maybe it means some changes in diet or some changes in new medications and exercise and things like that. You don’t have to give up on your dreams. You can continue to pursue that.”

She added: “You just have to work really hard at it. Like Suni did.”

For more information about the American Kidney Fund’s “Know Your Kidneys” program, click here.