Being an elite gymnast is a struggle and adventure that one can never understand until they are in that position. I started gymnastics at the age of three and stopped when I was twelve. I went through so much in this sport and I can't begin to explain the ways it has shaped me into the person I am today. Being in the gym five days a week for four hours is something you never forget. The thing about gymnastics is that it is a team sport, yet you have to be extremely independent. Your team becomes your family. I had to be a supportive teammate and get along with all of them, while simultaneously competing against them at meets. You need to find a balance. Being competitive can be a great thing and motivate someone to be the best, until it becomes counterproductive and changes your demeanor.

My first coach was a woman who was intimidating and strong; she was a bodybuilder. If you didn't call her coach, you'd be conditioning the rest of practice. She pushed our limits and forced us to be the best gymnast we could be. The coaches were hard on everyone, but this taught me discipline. I learned respect for my coaches and teammates. There were always those girls who talked back, which was definitely not a good idea. These girls never succeeded the way they hoped because of the lack of effort and respect. If you were slacking off the coaches would give up on you. They strongly believed that you get out what you put in. If you don’t put in effort, you will get nowhere. The coaches gave you the opportunity to be great, but it was up to you whether you took that opportunity.

There are countless up and downs in gymnastics. One day you will master a skill, and the next, you’ll be afraid to through it. Fear is one aspect that a gymnast cannot get caught up on. Flipping backwards on 4 inch beam is completely terrifying. Some days I would stand on the balance beam all practice doing nothing; only thinking. All I could picture in head was flipping and landing on my head. These thoughts will prevent a person from reaching their goals. After being a gymnast I know nothing is impossible: if I can swing myself around a bar, flip in the air twice, and still land on my feet, I can do pretty much anything. Overcome mental blocks is critical for accomplishment.

I began my gymnastics career being young in advanced levels with girls a few years old than me. Just because I was in high levels does not mean I would place high. The older girls seemed better than I was, but this only gave me more motivation to push myself harder. By level 7, I was placing first on every event. I worked for my spot on the podium and I deserved it. I ended up breaking the record in my gym for the highest score. The natural high of mastering something you've worked so hard for is a feeling I will always strive for.

Gymnastics shows strength. Gymnasts work twenty hours a week to be as strong as possible, while also being as graceful as one can be. Near the end of my career, I discovered a stress fracture in my back. I spent eight months out of the gym without any activity. I thought this was the end of my time as a gymnasts, but instead, I pushed through the difficult time and kept going. Things were different, but my strength and grit became apparent. Being a gymnast is not something everyone has the stamina for. Although I am not a gymnast anymore, I will always carry that part of my life with me. It has molded me into the person I have become.