For a while now, the mat has missed one of its most consistent and beloved performers. Jade Carey, Olympic floor exercise champion and social media favorite, has been noticeably absent from elite gymnastics competitions. The Arizona State gymnast, known for her power-packed tumbling and graceful precision, hasn’t competed at the highest level for a while.

Last time she graced an appearance was on March 15, 2025, in an NCAA competition with Oregon State, where she delivered a jaw-dropping performance during Oregon State’s Senior Night meet against the Air Force Falcons. Carey posted a career-best all-around score of 39.925, capped by perfect 10.0s on balance beam and floor exercise. It was the kind of finish that had fans wondering: what’s next?

Then came the quiet. No elite meets, no upgrades teased online, no clear roadmap toward Worlds or a post-Olympic push. Carey, also a social media favorite with over 600k followers on Instagram, Carey seemed to step back, if only temporarily, from the grind of elite competition.

Then on July 24, 2025, Carey lit up Instagram Story with a Q&A, inviting fans to ask anything. One question cut deep: “How do you get over a mental block?” Her response was pure gold: “Communicate with your coaches and go back to the basics for a little bit. it’s okay to have to go backwards sometimes! trust yourself. you got this!”

That openness about mental blocks, those paralyzing moments when fear or doubt locks you up, hit hard. It’s not just gymnastics; it’s life. Carey’s not hiding the struggle, and that raw honesty makes her a beacon for anyone stuck in their head. Jade Carey’s openness offered a refreshing reminder that even Olympic champions wrestle with invisible barriers. Her calm, collected tone made it clear, this wasn’t a crisis, it was a reset. A pause, not a retirement. But why does her advice resonate so much?

Jade Carey follows Simone Biles in mental health advocacy 

Well, mental blocks in gymnastics are brutal. A skill you have nailed a thousand times suddenly feels impossible. Jade Carey‘s message adds to a broader cultural shift in gymnastics. Athletes like Simone Biles have helped start a conversation about the mental toll of elite sport, and Carey is now part of that evolving narrative.

In a sport that’s always leaping forward, Carey’s reminder to slow down, breathe, and trust the process may be the most powerful move of all. Carey’s advice to talk to coaches and strip things down to basics is a game plan for rebuilding confidence. Her words, “it’s okay to have to go backwards sometimes,” feel like permission to stumble. That “you got this” vibe?

It’s not just for gymnasts. Whether you’re bombing a work project or choking on a big moment, her approach, communicate, simplify, and trust, feels universal. How does she keep that optimism while stepping back from elite competition?

Carey’s break isn’t a goodbye; it’s a recalibration. Sharing this wisdom on Instagram, with a large engagement rate, shows she’s still inspiring. Her trust in herself is contagious, leaving me hopeful for her return. What’s next for Jade’s comeback?