Faith After Mother’s Death Fueled Gymnast’s Olympic Dreams

Published: February 20, 2025

PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 27: Brody Malone of Team United States competes on the rings during the Artistic Gymnastics Men’s Qualification on day one of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on July 27, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Faith After Mother’s Death Fueled Gymnast’s Olympic Dreams

By Movieguide® Contributor

Brody Malone won the bronze medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics, a victory he credits to God.

But learning to trust God came through following his dad’s example.

“My dad was really the role model,” Malone told “The Undaunted Life: A Man’s Podcast” of his childhood.

When Malone’s mother died from cancer, his dad, John, quit his job to raise his family.

“I watched him turn into a deeply faithful man at a young age and that really encouraged me to continue in my walk,” the gymnast said. “I will say that as I grow up, I mean, the faith journey is like, you know, going through high school and college, its definitely had its ups and downs. But I’ll say, I mean my faith right now is as strong as it’s ever been, and a lot of the reason for that is just having my dad as a role model and seeing the way he’s handled these adversities in life.”

While at the Paris Olympics, Malone and and his dad went viral because of a letter John read during NBC’s broadcast.

“I want to tell you about my oldest boy Brody,” John began. “He was born with his mother’s smile and with my fire for competition. After he broke his arm climbing out of his crib when he was two, we got him into gymnastics so he could get all of his energy out.”

John met his wife Tracey during college, and the couple raised their family in Cedartown, Georgia.

“That was until 2012 when we lost our Trace to cancer,” John continued.

“Like me, Brody doesn’t like to show his emotions too much,” he said. “So, I think he buried himself in competition and let all of his pain out through sports.”

“Competing at the Olympics was a dream Brody and his mom had together. I know Tracey’s watching over Brody still, and I can see her smile and hear her laugh and feel her joy,” John said as tears welled up in his eyes.

“So, son, go get ’em tonight. Your mom and I are so proud of you,” he concluded.