Levi Jung-Ruivivar, a member of the Philippine Olympic gymnastics team for Paris 2024 and a freshman at Stanford, has announced she is taking a temporary leave from gymnastics and academics to prioritize her mental and physical health. The 18-year-old revealed her decision on Wednesday through an Instagram post, where she disclosed she is stepping back to address an eating disorder.
“I have decided to redshirt this season and take a brief leave of absence from Stanford… to heal from an eating disorder I have been struggling with,” Jung-Ruivivar wrote.
She shared that her eating disorder had begun to interfere with her academic and athletic pursuits, prompting her to take time to seek treatment. Despite her struggles, she expressed optimism, stating that she plans to return to Stanford and resume training by the start of the spring quarter.
Jung-Ruivivar described her experience at Stanford as enriching but acknowledged the toll the eating disorder had taken on her overall well-being.
“It was taking so much mental and physical energy away from the things I loved,” she said.
In her post, Jung-Ruivivar thanked her family, friends and coaches for their support during this challenging time. While she expressed initial apprehension about sharing her story, Jung-Ruivivar emphasized the importance of addressing these challenges to protect her long-term health.
“As an elite athlete, I felt it was vital to stop the damage it was doing to my body and mind by seeking help,” she wrote.
Jung-Ruivivar’s decision to come forward is especially significant due to the stigma against eating disorders, especially in gymnastics, where the immense pressure on the athletes to maintain a certain physique provides fertile ground for unhealthy behaviors. Her announcement comes amid ongoing discussions about the importance of prioritizing athlete mental health and creating supportive environments where athletes feel empowered to seek help.
Jung-Ruivivar’s leave from gymnastics is temporary, and she remains committed to returning to both academics and competition once she has made progress in her recovery.