“I tried contacts,” she explained to FloGymnastics.com in a recent interview, “but they made my eyeballs dry, and when I got stuff in my eyes, I had to take them out and put them back in.”
Adopted as a toddler from China, Hurd counts herself lucky for the “village” of people — her mom, coaches, teammates, and fans — who surround her with love and support.
At First State Gymnastics in Newark, Delaware, Hurd has been dedicated to achieving her dream of becoming an elite gymnast since joining the pre-team at 6 years old.
“From a young age, Morgan has been such a hard worker, taking at least twice as many turns as her teammates,” her coach, Slava Glazounov, told FloGymnastics. “You can tell she wants it. Morgan comes in every day ready to work.”
Outside the gym, she can be found watching Netflix, reading John Green’s new release, “Turtles All the Way Down,” and freaking out after J.K. Rowling sent a congratulatory tweet to her after her big win at the Worlds.
It’s easy to see how Hurd’s appeal in and out of the gym can be inspiring for athletes of all ages. But fellow bookworm, activist, and writer Keah Brown says athletes like Hurd can help push the conversation forward about what representations of champions and heroes look like in our culture today “simply by existing.”
“By performing in her glasses, Morgan is simply saying, ‘This is what I look like, and I’m still an athlete regardless,’” said Brown, who founded the #DisabledAndCute movement. “To see somebody who looks more like you doing something so extraordinary will make the person watching feel like anything is possible.”
Slate’s Josh Levin agrees. In a recent post he wrote in praise of Hurd, he said, “Those of us in the legion of four-eyed Americans can sometimes feel as if athletic prowess is a blurry, far-away thing. I now see that if I squint hard enough, I too can be the world gymnastics champion. Thank you, Morgan Hurd.”
In the tradition of her bespectacled athletic foremothers and forefathers -- such as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and tennis star Billie Jean King -- Hurd has a vision for much more positive change through sports. She recognizes that gymnastics is a language that can break down barriers between countries and cultures.
She wrote in a recent post on Instagram: “Although we all may not speak the same tongue, we have the same passion, and that is what brings us together.”
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.