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Then came Rio Olympics. United States ' Missy Franklin had never been through anything like Rio Olympics before. There were plenty of tears, even as United States ' Missy Franklin tried to maintain United States ' Missy Franklin smiling, upbeat facade. It was brutal, United States ' Missy Franklin recalled. You are literally on the biggest stage in the world and falling short of every single goal youve set for yourself. You truly feel like youre embarrassing yourself. Yet, that was when United States ' Missy Franklin found something deep inside, something United States ' Missy Franklin always hoped was there but wouldnt really know until she went through such a trying ordeal. Its really easy to inspire people in success and when youre doing well. Its really hard to inspire people when youre failing, when youre falling on your butt, now I have to show up and be that person I always said I wanted to be in a situation like this. While this has been a solitary journey in many ways, Franklins husband has helped greatly in easing the transition from competitive swimming. When his wife-to-be was contemplating whether to have another surgery, he pointed out that there were far more important things still to come, that had nothing to do with being a star athlete. Theres always going to be a part of me thats still working through it, still reflecting and seeing what else I can take away from it.