Online, everyone can appear cool. But no one is perfect. And no one would ever willingly admit why they’re not cool — until now.
As part of the inspiring social media campaign We Are All Uncool, four-time Olympic gymnasts medalist Shawn Johnson admitted to still being “obsessed with Harry Potter,” and Olympic hurdler and bobsledder Lolo Jones revealed the embarrassing fact that she wears “the same bra size” as her 12-year-old niece.
The idea to share such revealing things was the brainchild of KROQ DJ Nicole Alvarez, sister of 2014 Olympic short track speedskater Eddy Alvarez, and photographer Tamar Levine. The two wanted people to stop apologizing for who they are and start celebrating it.
In honor of that movement, we asked 16 more members of Team USA to open up about three things that make them uncool.
(You can share your three things along with your selfie on Instagram with the hashtag #WeAreAllUncool.)
Simone Biles, two-time world all-around gymnastics champion
1. I am not afraid to cry.
2. I struggle with math.
3. I am insecure (at times).
David Boudia, Olympic diving gold medalist
1. I am in love with board games, in particular one called Settlers of Catan.
2. I love “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy.”
3. I pick my nose.
Greg Bretz, two-time Olympic snowboarder
1. I’m terrified of heights, and whenever I'm out of my comfort zone I scream like a little girl.
2. I sew and make my own clothing for fun sometimes.
3. I have a pretty crooked nose from breaking it so many times that I get nervous about what people will think about me.
Michelle Carter, two-time Olympic shot putter
1. One of my guilty pleasures is watching “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and laughing so hard that my brother and sister laugh at me more than the show.
2. One thing I am not proud of is that I can't keep my room clean to save my life. I call it my "organized chaos."
3. Reading out loud scares me. I was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia as a child, and reading was not my favorite subject. I believe that facing your weaknesses helps you find strength. Every now and then, I practice reading out loud to myself.
Brianna Decker, Olympic ice hockey silver medalist
1. I am only 5-3 and I have to ask other teammates to get my helmet and gloves off the top shelf in the locker room before we skate.
2. Before every game, I look into a mirror and talk to myself to get pumped up!
3. One of my favorite things to do is to go to a movie alone and have my own popcorn and candy. It’s peaceful for me.
Marlen Esparza, Olympic boxing bronze medalist
1. I can't ride a bike.
2. I have to have my nails done at all times.
3. I sleep with a teddy bear.
Kaitlyn Farrington, Olympic halfpipe snowboarding gold medalist
1. At home and on long drives, I listen to Disney classics on Pandora and sing along — well, more like yell!
2. I LOVE The Sims FreePlay! When I’m at home, I have to put limits on the amount of time I allow myself to play. Hello, gaming addiction!
3. I’m like an old lady and love beading. I bead in cars, airports, on planes. I actually travel with a beading kit.
Jamie Greubel Poser, Olympic bobsled bronze medalist
1. I will change my clothes 10 times before going anywhere, because I am never confident in what I wear if it’s not for working out.
2. I always get hiccups from laughing too hard. Everyone always laughs at me for having hiccups, and then I laugh harder and they just get worse!
3. I am 31 and married, but I spend over half the year sleeping in a twin bed and sharing a dorm room or hotel with one of my teammates — not my husband.
Travis Jayner, Olympic short track speedskating bronze medalist
1. I played with Tonka Trucks into my teens.
2. I secretly wish I was Taylor Swift.
3. My perfect idea of a Friday is being in bed before 9 p.m.
Gwen Jorgensen, Olympic triathlete and 2014 world champion
1. My hair is always frizzy from swimming, and I don’t care.
2. 9:30 p.m. is a late night for me.
3. Jeans and a T-shirt is dressing up for me.
Hunter Kemper, four-time Olympic triathlete
1. My wife had to teach me how to make grilled cheese sandwiches for my kids. When Dad is in charge of dinner, takeout is the ONLY thing on the menu.
2. Even though I can't sing in tune, I still like to sing really loud, in a crowd and often. The people sitting in front of me at church definitely don't think I'm cool.
3. I might be the most lazy/non-lazy person you will ever meet. I work out for five hours a day and then do a whole lot of nothing the other 19 hours. And don't ask me to do anything active other than swimming, biking or running...I might break like a china doll.
Erik Kynard, Olympic high jump silver medalist
1. I’m 6-4 and a half and I cannot dribble a basketball.
2. I am a diehard “Scandal” fan. #Gladiator
3. I was often teased about being too skinny and having obnoxiously thick eyebrows.
Devin Logan, Olympic slopestyle skiing silver medalist
1. I still sleep with my teddy bear, Ian. I’ve had him since I was 4 years old. We’ve been through a lot!
2. I can out-burp most of my friends. It’s not very ladylike, but hey, I’m the youngest of five with two older brothers.
3. My grammar and spelling is pretty bad. I usually have my sister spell- and grammar-check my papers in college before I hand them in.
Tatyana McFadden, 11-time Paralympic track/skiing medalist
1. I'm terrible with directions even when I use a GPS device.
2. I hate spiders so much I have to get someone to remove the spider for me.3. I like to eat raw spinach out of a bag — it is one of my favorite snacks.
Aly Raisman, three-time Olympic gymnastics medalist
1. In bed on a Saturday night by 10 p.m.
2. My usual outfit consists of a leotard, sweat and chalk.
3. Horrible singer, but I think I sound like Celine Dion. Don’t we all?
Jason Richardson, Olympic hurdles silver medalist
1. I played “Let It Go” from the “Frozen” movie soundtrack every day for a month and a half. Every. Single. Day, folks. I find that gestures help me hit the high notes better when I’m singing my vocal chords loose in the shower.
2. If I don’t shave in between my eyebrows, they WILL grow together in holy matrimony. Not in a cool artistic Frida Kahlo kind of way — more like a Bert from “Sesame Street,” “Hi, I’m Unibrow. Oh him? His name is Jason,” kind of way.
3. I love to read. I’ve read the entire Bible, several classics, and I’ll show up early to doctors appointments just so I can get my read on. And just to prove my love, I’ll read your lips and read between the lines — just because I can.
