The Stunning Transformation Of Nastia Liukin

After Nastia Liukin's stunning performance at the 2008 Summer Olympics, she could have retired. Between the Olympics and competing at world championships, she'd won a total of 14 medals, after all, and no one would have blamed her if she'd wanted to quit. But she wasn't ready. Even her father and coach, Valeri, was surprised that she wanted to keep going. "I think he was confused because we did everything we set out to do in 2008," she told The Denver Post. "Winning the all-around gold medal, nothing can top that."

Unfortunately, another round at the Olympics wasn't in the cards for the gymnast. While she tried out for the 2012 Olympic team, she ended up falling on her face — literally — and didn't make it. Liukin hadn't planned to retire from the sport quite so soon, but that fall made her "evaluate what was truly important," she told Bustle.

Liukin said that the fall changed everything, and she now sees it "as the pivotal juncture of my career," as it helped her realize that her worth was not "defined by results." After failing to make the 2012 Olympic team, she announced her retirement from the sport.