Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson visited TCU Tuesday night to speak with students about the importance of self-worth and empowerment.

Students filled the Dee J.  Kelly Center Alumni and Visitors Center to listen to the lecture hosted by DG.

DG hosts a Lectureship in values and ethics every other year. DG member Kenzie Floyd organized the event and decided to bring Johnson to this year’s event because of her relatability.

“She’s accomplished so much at such a young age and we feel that our chapter, as well as the TCU student body, will find her very interesting,” Floyd said.

Johnson spoke about her early life as a gymnast and the struggles she faced because of the sport.

”I never fit in, it was always like the popular girls would think I was stuck up or something because I was never around and I was just this outcast,” Johnson said.

Johnson explained the hardships she endured throughout her career as an athlete and in the spotlight.

“It seemed like I was failing and it was so frustrating because at 16 things are already confusing,” said Johnson. “So, you’re already asking yourself and questioning yourself and wondering if you aren’t good enough, if you are doing the right thing, you’re trying to figure out who you are and I had the entire world telling me that I needed to be something different.”

She concluded her presentation by encouraging the young women to follow their dreams.

“There are going to be a million expectations on you and I just beg you to stomp on every one of them, do what you love and what you want to do,” Johnson said.

Director for Student Organizations Ebony Rose praised Johnson for her performance.

“I think she did a great job of addressing our college students and really talking about discovery,” Rose said.

DG will host their next Lectureship in Values and Ethics in 2019.