Nastia Liukin Instagram – Six years ago today, Kobe won an Oscar. I remember seeing him the week before. We were standing backstage at an award show that we were both presenting at, catching up like we always did. But this time will always be etched in my memory. He was telling me how crazy it was that he was nominated for an Oscar—because nobody believed it would ever be possible (except for him, of course). Everyone knew him and defined him as arguably the greatest basketball player of all time. But he knew he was more than just that. As we spoke about the achievement, he paused. He looked at me and told me that I needed to stop putting myself in a box, too. The “gymnast in the pink leotard” box. I remember thinking to myself, how the hell does he know that’s exactly what I’ve been doing? I’ve been living in that box my entire life. He just knew. He always knew the right thing to say. The hard truths that needed to be spoken. I looked at him and said, “You’re right, Kobe.” And he said, “I know I am,” smiling, never smug. And then he said, “Do you know what else I know? I’m going to win that Oscar next week, watch me.” And sure enough, a few days later, he won that Oscar. So, for anyone who has or continues to put themself in a box, whatever that box may be, I encourage you to make today the day you remove yourself from it. Greatness may just be on the other side.