“This pain is temporary, but the scars will only fuel me as I chase my dream,” declared Shilese Jones on social media in July 2024, after a brutal ACL and meniscus tear during warm-ups at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. A lifelong gymnast, her Paris Olympic dreams were crushed when doctors told her she’d need surgery and had no choice but to withdraw. Months later, the comeback fire is burning, and Jones is back in training, hungrier than ever.

Last year, at the Target Center on the opening day of the trials, 22-year-old Shilese Jones had high hopes. However, her dreams were shattered when she suffered a torn ACL and meniscus while trying to perform a double-twisting Yurchenko. Despite the pain, the two-time All-Around medalist pushed through to compete on the uneven bars that evening, delivering the day’s highest score of 14.675. But her fairy tale ended when her medical evaluation reports came back.

She underwent surgery, completed the required rehabilitation, and has now returned to training in the gym. Her training routine was uploaded by the Inside Gymnastics Instagram handle with a caption that read, “Shilese Jones is back training on beam, following two surgeries on her ACL and meniscus. “Day 2 beam… goal accomplished. First time aerial layout, Arabian,” she said. Jones is already looking sharp.”

Beyond her hours in the gym, Shilese is dialing up her game with strength, flexibility, and endurance training, mixing in Pvolve, the celeb-approved, low-impact workout favored by stars like Jennifer Aniston (an ambassador of the program), to keep her body sharp and performance-ready. While having a conversation with Women’s Health, she added, “Having something on the side has helped, not just with my recovery and my activeness in gymnastics, but definitely on the mental side. I can take a step back and do these exercises, and relax the mind and the body a little bit more.”

Accidents are nothing new for Shilese Jones, who has mastered the art of bouncing back. After a devastating car accident in 2021, she was forced to shelve her championship dreams.

The 21-year-old understands the importance of rest before making a comeback, and now, a year after her injuries, she is back training on the high beam. It’s worth noting that she had previously shared several videos of herself working on the uneven bars, but this time, she has returned to the beam. So, what’s next for the young athlete?

What’s coming for Shilese Jones as she returns to training?

Shilese Jones may have missed the bus this year, but it could be the necessary pause for a comeback that people will remember. With her injuries healing, Jones has made it clear that she hasn’t given up on her Olympic dreams, now setting her sights on the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

While having a conversation with Olympics.com, Jones stated, “I’m shifting focus to the future and my next chapter ahead, which is why I’m excited to announce you will see me on the road to LA 2028.”

The two-time World all-around medallist had a sure shot chance of being a part of Team USA’s Paris Olympic endeavor. However, fate had some other plans. But while this year might have been a disaster for her, next year could bring more opportunities to shine. Let’s keep our fingers crossed…