“’We didn’t steal anything!’ – Carlos Yulo’s mother speaks emotionally as Caloy opens up about the darkest secret of his life”

Manila, Philippines —

Carlos Yulo — a gymnastics legend, a recognized world-class athlete, and always calm on the mat — is not just a champion. Behind the medals and national honors, he has a story he has long hidden: a silent fight that almost made him give up for good.

In an emotional interview this weekend, Caloy couldn’t hold back his emotions. At the age of 24, he admitted that he almost gave up because of the intense pressure, fatigue, and sadness that no one knew about — not his family, not his fans, not the media.

“I really asked myself, ‘What is all this for?’” she said while crying.
“I don’t feel anything anymore. I’m so tired. And yes… it occurred to me to just end it all.”

Even if you win, there’s no joy

In late 2023, after a series of matches abroad, he was completely burned out. Every day, all training. All pressure. No rest. Far from family. And even though he was winning, he felt like he was doing nothing.

“I’ll win, then go back to my room, just stare at the ceiling. Nothing. Blank. I’m not happy.”

Everyone loves “Carlos Yulo the gymnast.” But Caloy the human being — no one remembers him.

‘Maybe It’s Time to Get It Right…’

Carlos didn’t immediately say what he was going through. He was afraid. He thought being sad was a weakness. So he hid it. He laughed in interviews. He was even more excited about training. But deep inside, he was lost.

“One night I was alone in my Tokyo apartment. I asked myself if it was enough. I even wrote a goodbye letter. I can’t remember where I put it.”

A Sudden Message From a Child

It wasn’t a doctor, not a medal, and not a therapist that first saved Caloy — but a simple message from a young fan.

“He said, ‘Brother Caloy, I want to be strong like you. You are my inspiration.’
I cried. Because I didn’t feel strong at all… but there was a child who believed.”

So, the next day, he called his mother. There he poured out everything he had been hiding for years.

And his mother? She also bravely faced the public.

“We didn’t steal anything!” his mother shouted in an interview.
“My son worked hard for everything he had. Don’t judge him. You don’t know what he’s going through.”

Caloy Lives Again

Now, Carlos is slowly reclaiming himself — not as a gymnast, but as a person.

 He now has regular sessions with a sports psychologist.
 He has rest days even when other coaches don’t want him to.
 There’s less social media, more journaling.
 And most importantly: He’s no longer quiet. He’s open with family and friends.

“Healing is not a straight line. Some days I’m okay. Some days I’m not. But now… I choose to live. Not just survive.”

For the Public: “We Are Not Robots.”

Carlos hoped that by revealing his story, people would better understand that athletes are people too.

“Yes, there were times when we cried while singing the Lupang Hinirang…
But more often, we cried alone, no one could hear.”

And for fellow athletes: “Don’t endure it alone. Speak up. Someone will listen.”

“I’m Still Here.”

Carlos Yulo’s story is not just a story of gymnastics. It’s a story of survival. The story of a boy who almost gave up, but still chose to hold on — for himself, and for the boy who believed in him.

“I almost gave up on myself,” he whispered.
“But the world didn’t give up on me. And now that I’m still here, I’m going to make sure I’m never alone again.”