“It was very devastating… I used to just think every day, is she going to be able to live?” Jordan Chiles said last year, recalling the moment her world shifted. When her aunt moved in, 10-year-old Chiles imagined fun family time, maybe an ally in sibling spats. Instead, she watched helplessly as her aunt grew weaker, bedridden by something they barely understood. Years later, Chiles, a gymnast known for her fearless routines, is stepping beyond the mat as she reveals a major struggle! What was it?

When Jordan Chiles was 10, her aunt April came to live with her family. Not long after, April was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It was a shock. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks the cells that produce insulin, a hormone needed to regulate blood sugar. That meant April’s pancreas could no longer make enough insulin, and she had to rely on injections to stay healthy. If someone in your family does, your risk of developing it jumps 15 times higher. But for Jordan Chiles, it was a shocker!

The diagnosis came as a shock to Jordan, as it did not run in her family, and that is when her family realized that T1D can strike anyone. Recalling those moments in a series of stories on Instagram on 12 March, Chiles shared how her world shifted when her Aunt April was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. “Our family was completely shocked when my Aunt April was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, as we have no family history. Now we know it can happen to anyone, at any time—and up to 90% of those diagnosed have no family history at all. Knowing sooner may give you the time you need to prepare for a potential T1D diagnosis.”

To raise awareness for type 1 diabetes, Jordan Chiles has teamed up with drugmaker Sanofi to promote the Screen for Type 1 movement. Why? Because early detection can make all the difference. Many people don’t realize they have type 1 diabetes until it’s too late. Ever heard of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)? It happens when the body doesn’t have enough insulin to process glucose for energy. Instead, it burns fat, releasing ketones that make the blood dangerously acidic. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications.

That’s why Chiles is speaking up. Preparation has always been a part of her life—training, planning, staying ahead. But when it comes to health, too many people don’t get that same chance, and anyone who knows her aunt has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and is hyper-vigilant about monitoring her blood sugar levels, Chiles knows the importance of early screening. “As an elite gymnast, my career has been built on preparedness,” she shared on the 2nd Instagram story “That’s why I’m using my voice to advocate for the power of detecting type 1 diabetes risk early and talking to your doctor about T1D screening.”

It wasn’t just Jordan Chiles who posted about the initiative! But along with her, the official Instagram page of ‘Screen for Type 1’ also posted a reel featuring the UCLA Bruins star along with her mom Gina, and aunt April sharing their story and promoting screening for Type 1 diabetes. The reel ended with a powerful message by Jordan: “The best way to prepare is to know what’s coming, so screen it like you mean it.”

While Chiles passionately advocated for early screening, something else from her Instagram story caught people’s attention, and amid her message about preparedness and health, fans couldn’t help but notice a hint of something new, perhaps a fresh journey or a newfound hobby. Was she teasing a new venture beyond gymnastics?

Jordan Chiles hints at a new hobby

Jordan Chiles is always up to something new. The Olympic gymnast shared an interesting glimpse into her life. In her Instagram story, she posted a picture of what looks like a digital audio workstation (DAW) on her computer screen. “Live finding new things about myself,” she captioned it.

It seems Chiles is exploring the world of audio editing or maybe music, maybe a podcast. Either way, it’s just another example of her constantly evolving passions. This isn’t new for her. She’s been open about stepping outside gymnastics, proving she’s more than just an athlete. Last year in September, she expressed her desire to feature in Megan Thee Stallion’s music video. She excitedly replied to a fan comment suggesting she feature in Megan’s video by saying, “Friend, if you’re listening, I will be in your music video. I can do a flip, twist, twirl, whatever it is.”

Also just earlier this month, on March 4, she released her memoir, I’m That Girl: Living the Power of My Dreams. The book takes readers through her journey to the Olympics, the struggles she faced in gymnastics, and the heartbreaking reversal of her 2024 Summer Olympics bronze medal. With a foreword from her best friend and teammate, Simone Biles, the 288-page book dives deep into her life beyond the competition floor.

Now, she’s experimenting with sound. Maybe this is just for fun, or maybe it’s another chapter in her ever-growing story. Either way, Chiles keeps proving that she’s always finding new ways to express herself.