Was It Worth It In The End?

    As many of you guys know, I started competing when I was nine. Which is pretty late. I was 4'9 which is super tall for a nine year old gymnast. I wasn't the daredevil of the gym, I was the focused one with a heart. I had so much trouble with tumbling. I went through so many injuries in gymnastics, at least one break a year and a couple sprains. And then there were those practices where I got so frustrated with myself or that my coach would yell at me so much that I would cry. If you are a gymnast, you know that your Friday nights are occupied. For me on Friday I had practice from 4-9 p.m. then gym on Saturday morning from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. So there is obviously no time for sleepovers or parties on Friday's. The biggest party of the night was on a Friday, it was for my friend's birthday and she always has a HUGE party. But of course I had to miss it because of gymnastics.
    Now don't get me wrong here, I still loved to train! I was probably the hardest worker in that gym. Because I had the heart, but not much of the talent. For gymnastics you need to be physically tough and also mentally tough. It's just so hard sometimes when you have been working so hard for a skill but then just can't get it. And all you can think to yourself if, "What the heck is wrong with me?! Why do I even think I could ever be like McKayla Maroney someday, I'm awful!" Yep. I have said those exact words to myself. I was so tough on myself as a gymnast. The skill I had so much trouble on is my round off back handspring. I know I know stupid right? Yeah go ahead laugh. I totally had that skill down physically, but when it's not a physical problem... It's a mental problem. Some meets I would do it... Others I wouldn't.
    When I had to quit gymnastics I left the sport feeling so unaccomplished it was crazy. I felt like I had spent all of my life training for nothing. Was the training even worth it now that I had to quit? I worked so hard for the past nine years and now it was over? What? I missed all those sleepovers, parties, and trips for nothing? C'mon. That's not reality. Unfortunately it was reality, complete reality nothing more than reality! I left the sport so upset. And I really wish I hadn't.
    Now the real question to ask myself was it truly worth it in the end?In the previous paragraph you could easily say "no, it wasn't" But I think it was worth it. I knew I would never make it to the Elite level with my fears, height, and injuries. But gymnastics taught me so much. It was worth it to be apart of the toughest sport in the world and say you compete, and to do more push ups than the boys in PE Physical Fitness Testing. All that training did have a meaning, it brought me into the world of gymnastics, which I will keep in my heart forever. I might not be a gymnast anymore physically, but like I said. The two components of gymnastics are the physical and mental state, while I might not be a gymnast anymore physically, I am mentally. Gymnastics will always be apart of me no matter what. So yes. It was worth it in the end. I might've not became that gymnast I wanted to be. But gymnastics taught me so so much.

Vlog: My Kellogg's Tour Experience

Video: Kellogg's Tour Experience

My Eating Disorder and How McKayla Maroney Got Me Through it

   December 2009 I was ten years old and, I was just finishing up the end of the first half of my level 4 season. I was really struggling with my round off back handspring, which I know sounds stupid for a gymnast. I had competed four meets that season, and three of them I fell on my head. I could do it physically, but mentally I couldn't. Then a few days before Christmas I broke my elbow, nevertheless doing a round off back handspring which really wasn't good for my confidence. I got my cast off and was able to compete three meets before the season was over. And with all those meets, I didn't do my back handspring. In fact, in one of the meets my coach came on the floor to spot me and I didn't even to it then! So what the heck does a round off back handspring have to do with an eating disorder?
    Well one night I came home from workout ready to have my favorite dinner at the time; mac n cheese. I got myself a big spoonful but didn't swallow it. "Hmm.. that's weird" I thought to myself. I took a smaller bite, I got smaller and smaller bites until I was down to one little piece of macaroni. I swallowed that, but seriously. It would take forever for me to eat a whole bowl of mac n cheese eating it piece by piece. My mom could tell something was wrong so she offered to put the mac n cheese in the blender. I agreed to that and she put it in. When it came out I thought it would be a drink so I could easily have it! But it was just ground up this time. I still refused to eat it. So I went to bed that night without dinner. My mom just thought I must've had a tough day at practice so she ignored it for that night. She stopped ignoring it when it went on for a whole week. Yes, a whole week. I did eat but not a lot, maybe equivalent to a meal and a half a day? So not a lot. My mom started taking me to doctors, they couldn't determine what was wrong. I had to go into the hospital for a test to see if there was any blockage in my throat. So they put me to sleep and took a tiny piece of my throat out. They said nothing was wrong with me. So I was still going to doctors and leaving school early about twice a week so I could go to those doctors. My school had to give me special permission to take extra time to eat lunch so I was able to eat since it would take me so long to eat.
   I went back to the hospital for a few more tests. And they never determined what was wrong, they said it was most likely stress related and that's what my parents believed too. I was pulled out of gymnastics until February 2011. Which for any gymnast, is a super long time.
    Now where does McKayla come into play? Well, in 2010 when everything started happening. I became a huge fan of McKayla. My eyes would be glued to the screen when I would watch her. I always thought that I want to be like her some day, of course after the eating disorder that would be pretty much impossible. But what I really liked about McKayla is that she didn't win every single title possible, and when she fell she didn't let her emotions show it. She taught me how to be a fighter. And when I was released back into the gymnastics world I just thought about how McKayla inspired me and to never give up on my dreams. Of course, my dreams were crushed once again when I was forced to quit due to numerous injuries. McKayla really did teach me so much especially to never give up.
    Even though I'm not a gymnast anymore, I still look up to McKayla Maroney so much. She is still my idol and whenever I'm having a bad day I just think, "What would McKayla do?" And then somehow, it's settled. She taught me that even the craziest dreams come true. Right now my crazy dream is to meet her. And I hope that someday it will come true.

Interview with "Gym Mom" of a Level 9 Gymnast: Jenni

Jenni is the mother of a level 9 gymnast Sage

 

Me: Why did you decide to put Sage in gymnastics?
Jenni: At school, every Thursday, Sage had a 30 minute tumbling class and loved it, she begged me to put her in "real gymnastics" so I granted her wish.

Me: What did you think when Sage's coaches told you that she was so good and that she would be moved up right to level 4?
Jenni: I was happy for Sage, but wasn't surprised because I had always known how strong, flexible and determined she was and knew that she'd learn what she needed to learn quickly.

Me: Do you ever think that the coaches are pushing her to far and rushing her through levels?
Jenni: I don't think they are pushing her too hard, sometimes she complains that she wants to learn harder skills, she is very impatient. However, I do think that not competing each level has it's downsides. I think gymnasts need the experience competing lower levels to gain confidence and experience. That is something she missed out on.

Me: When you found out that Sage had a fractured vertebrate, what were you most concerned about?
Jenni: The xray showed a fracture( the doctor thought) but the MRI actually showed more of a pre-fracture. She still had to take a lot of time off because there was lots of fluid, swelling and inflammation in her lower back due to being overly flexible in that area, causing constant pressure on her lower back. I was worried that it would become a chronic problem so I made sure she was completely healed before starting back up full force.

Me: Do you get nervous before watching Sage compete?
Jenni: Yes, I get so nervous that I start sweating, lol.

Me: How has gymnastics had an impact on your whole family?
Jenni: It is a sacrifice for us as parents; financially and the time commitment, but we are willing to support her as long as she continues to love it. Her brothers do not like the fact that she is stronger than them pound for pound and can do more pull ups than they can! It makes them try harder in their sports.

Me: Do you ever feel like the three boys get left out because of how much time gymnastics takes up?
Jenni: Her oldest brother is a nationally ranked wrestler and travels even more than she does. He practices daily also. Her two brothers that she is a triplet with play competitive soccer year round. Their only complaint is that she and Kade get to go on airplanes and they don't. I am taking them on a two day get away to California in a few weeks to make up for it, they want to go on an airplane in a bad way

Me: Do you watch Sage at practice? Or do you drop her off then leave?
Jenni: I very rarely watch her. I have other kids to take care of so that is my top priority. I don't want to neglect them by staying and watching her all of the time.
 
Me: Do you ever give Sage pointers? (ex. you need to point your toes more, that split has to be bigger)
Jenni: No, not unless she specifically asks me. I leave that to her coaches, I'm sure she gets enough of that! Ha

Me: Have you ever had to step in as the parent?
Jenni: I am a softy, so if I feel she is being criticized too much or in a way that is hurtful, I will talk to the coaches and ask them to please consider that she is a sensitive 9 year old girl. They are always great to work with.

Me: In two years, where do you see Sage?
Jenni: If things go as planned, she will have qualified for Hopes (pre-elite) within two years, that is what she is working towards.

Me: What event is the scariest for you to watch?
Jenni: Always beam- without question! By that time my heart rate is above 100 and my palms are sweaty! It's her best and favorite event, but it's always so nerve-wracking.

Interview With Level 9 Gymnast: Sage- age 9

 Interview With Level 9 Gymnast Sage

Me: What is it like being the youngest on the team? Is it sometimes hard?
Sage: I like being the youngest because everyone else is really nice to me.

Me: What is your main goal for the 2013 season?
Sage: I want to get my level 9 bar routine really good and be able to score above 9.5

Me: How many hours a week do you train?
Sage: Around 22 hours

Me: If you were to win a gold medal in the 2020 Olympics, what do you think it would be for?
Sage: Beam because it is my favorite and I have a lot of my elite skills on beam.

Me: What is your favorite memory from gymnastics?
Sage: The first time I stuck my front aerial flic lay on high beam.

Me: What gymnast do you look up to and why?
Sage: Gabby Douglas because she is awesome and nice and has tight form and I like having tight form.

Me: Has there ever been a day that you just want to quit?
Sage: No!!!!!!!! But it was hard when my back was hurt watching everyone get new skills and I had to only do conditioning and stretching.

Me: After you're done with gymnastics, do you think you will be a runner like your mom?
Sage: I haven't decided but maybe I will swim, bike and run.

Me: What is your favorite skill?
Sage: Front aerial flic lay on high beam

Me: What was your favorite leotard the Fierce 5 wore during the Olympics?
Sage: The white sparkly one
 











Me: How tall are you?
Sage: 50.5 inches 4 ft. 2.5 inches

Happy Turkey Day Everyone!

Hope everyone has an amazing Thanksgiving, be sure to watch the Fierce 5 in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade at 9:00 AM!
I just want to say I'm thankful for all of my friends and family that are there for me during the good the bad and the very bad. I can always lean on you guys for anything and I appriciate that so much. I am so thankful for being able to go to the Kelloggs Tour along with the meet and greet and get to meet Jordyn Wieber's mom, Rita Wieber, outside after the performance.
Today isn't just a day to pig out on our favorite foods, even though that is what I'm really looking forward to, but it's a day to be thankful for everything and everybody. Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a goodnight!
Wait... That's Christmas....

Interview with Junior Elite Gymnast: Simone Biles

Me: What’s your favorite event?
Simone: My favorite events are vault and floor!
 
Me: What would you say is your weakest event?
Simone: bars

Me: How did you get started in gymnastics?
Simone I got started in gymnastics by a daycare field trip!

Me: How tall are you?
Simone: I am 4"8" i think!
 
Me: Has there ever been a day that you just wanted to quit?
Simone: Yes there have been days that i wanted to quit but every gymnast has one of those days!
 
Me: What is your favorite memory from gymnastics?
Simone: Traveling, competing, and bonding with the team!
 
Me: How many hours a week do you train?
Simone: About 32 hours a week!
 
Me: Is there a gymnast you look up to? If so, who?
Simone: Yes i look up to Aly Raisman!
 
Me: What is your main goal for the 2013 season?
Simone: Make the Worlds team!
 
Me: What is the most special thing about your coaches?
Simone: They're nice, and encouraging!
 
Me: How has gymnastics had an impact on your family?
Simone: uhm I'm not really sure!
 
Me: If you were to get one gold medal in Rio 2016, what event would you like the gold medal to be on? (Vault, Bars, Beam, Floor, A.A., Team)
Simone: Vault, or Team!