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With six Olympic medals, which include three gold, two silver, and one bronze, from the 2012 to 2016 Games, Aly Raisman stands tall as the third-most decorated American gymnast in Olympic history. As the two-time captain of the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic gymnastics teams, Aly exudes leadership and advocacy, even years after her retirement. In 2017, she bravely came forward, accusing Larry Nassar of abusing her at 15 years old.

Then, in 2021, alongside Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney, and Maggie Nichols, Aly bravely testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, shedding light on the mishandling of the Nassar investigation by the FBI. Her powerful testimony resonated deeply, driving her ongoing mission to raise awareness in gymnastics and sports. In her latest endeavor in 2024, Aly Raisman, in her continued advocacy, has used her platform against abuse, aiming to protect countless young children.

Gymnastics star Aly Raisman raises awareness against child abuse with her latest venture

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In the latest Instagram reel by CBS Mornings and Aly Raisman, the former gymnastics star and champion opened up about her latest book for children titled From My Head to My Toes. She revealed that the inspiration behind her book stemmed from her own experiences growing up, where there was a lack of information about trusting her instincts and finding her voice. One of the central themes of the book is “Stranger Danger,” addressing the prevalence of child abuse.

 

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She shared that child abuse still happens and that “90% of the time abuse occurs, it’s actually with a trusted adult, and about 30% of the time it’s actually in the family.” As we ponder her words, let’s delve into what her book has in store for her young fans.

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What to expect from “From My Head to My Toes”

Aly Raisman shared that her book goes beyond just addressing consent and abuse; it also serves as a powerful message encouraging children to trust their instincts and to feel empowered to ask questions. She candidly revealed her own struggles with uncomfortable situations, emphasizing that the book aims to equip children with the tools to engage in difficult dialogues with adults and to identify their needs. Raisman expressed how her past advocacy efforts, including normalizing conversations, have led many adults to open up to her about their own past ordeals.

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“From My Head to My Toes” is a joyful ode to loving and caring for our bodies, authored by Aly Raisman and beautifully illustrated by Bea Jackson. It focuses on the powerful message of self-love and body positivity and introduces the concepts of consent and bodily autonomy to young readers. Published by Henry Holt and Company, “From My Head to My Toes” will be released on April 2, 2024. Fans are hopeful that through this book, Aly Raisman will continue to use her voice and platform as a powerful advocate, creating hope and making a significant impact.

Read more: Not Just Simone Biles, Millionaire Mother’s Gymnastics Club Has Four More Stars at USA National Team Camp 2024

Written by

Christaline Meyers

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Christaline Meyers is a senior Olympics writer at EssentiallySports who specializes in gymnastics and alpine skiing. Christaline is one of the acclaimed authorities in the coverage of 6x All-Around champion, Simone Biles. She has written extensively, covering every detail of Biles’s life stories as well as providing her perspective on Simone Biles’ Yurchenko Double Pike controversy.
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Edited by

Tripti Sarda