At the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Helen Maroulis became the first ever female wrestler to win gold for the U.S. Just 25, she was one of the stars of the Games and on top of the world. But in her bid for next year's Olympics in Tokyo, she’s had to overcome injury, brain trauma and a grueling recovery.

Maroulis opened up about the physical and mental challenges she has faced and she says the support of her family and her faith in God helped her during the recovery process. “I realized it wasn’t about pushing through; it was about letting go … You have to let go of everything and let yourself heal," she says.

Simon Bruty/Sports Illustrated

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