There is an epidemic in our nation that cannot be prevented by vaccination or treated with a pill. It is typically silent and goes undiagnosed until it eventually reaches a breaking point. It’s the condition of perfectionism…and it is running rampant.

The quest for more, bigger, better, is certainly not new. You can read stories in the Bible about people who wanted what someone else had because it was “better” than theirs - the story of David and Bathsheba is a perfect example. The internal thoughts of never having enough or being enough, however, have been greatly exacerbated by the development of social media.

Now, with the click of a button, we are able to view photos and commentaries from all of the “perfect” people with their dream lives, while we are constantly comparing our boring existence and dull jobs to those we envy. And we keep pushing to try to reach the unattainable pinnacle of success that the world dangles in front of us like a carrot.

We saw yet another example of the brokenness that can come under the pressure of a bar set too high in last week’s Olympic men’s figure skating competition. Ilia Malinin is a 21-year-old skater from Virginia who was dubbed “the quad God” by the figure skating world because of the ridiculous athletic ability he possesses in his jumps. He entered the 2026 Winter Olympic Games as the hands-down favorite to win gold in men’s figure skating.

He skated well during the team event, helping the U.S. take the gold medal. Then came the men’s free skate event last Friday. Ilia’s biggest competitor made some costly mistakes in his performance, opening the door for the American skater to stake claim on the gold medal. All he had to do was get through his routine cleanly. He didn’t. He had a fall, then another. Then a missed jump. It was honestly heart-wrenching to watch.

The performance was very reminiscent to me of Simone Biles during the 2020 Summer Olympics when the pressure was just too much and she cracked. That pressure clearly got to Ilia too, as he later posted on Instagram, “On the world's biggest stage, those who appear the strongest may still be fighting invisible battles on the inside. 'Even your happiest memories can end up tainted by the noise. Vile online hatred attacks the mind and fear lures it into the darkness, no matter how hard you try to stay sane through the endless insurmountable pressure. It all builds up as these moments flash before your eyes, resulting in an inevitable crash.'

Along with winning a gold medal at the 2026 Olympics, Ilia is also a two-time World champion, threetime Grand Prix Final champion, seven-time Grand Prix gold medalist, four-time Challenger Series gold medalist, and four-time U.S. national champion. But this week when you say his name, it is the falls that people recall.

So where does all this pressure come from? And more importantly, what can we do to fix it?

I think it begins with refusing to believe the lies we are fed by society that we are not good enough just the way we are. The level of expectation we put on ourselves and our children is so unhealthy, and it needs to stop. We need to spend more time appreciating what we do have and less time on our screens looking at what we don’t. We need to constantly reinforce to our kids that they are loved and oh so worthy, just the way they are.

There is nothing wrong with a competitive spirit or the inner drive to be successful and accomplish your goals. However, there is a fine line between that inner drive and an unwillingness to accept anything less than perfection.

I pray that Ilia can find his way back, and that we all remember that there has only ever been or will ever be one perfect human. And it isn’t you. Strive to be better, yes…but you are good enough just the way you are.