I have done gymnastics for over 10 years, and it has been a major part of my life. Gymnastics was where I learned resilience, served as an outlet for creativity, and how I met my best friends.

Gymnastics has its challenges, but it taught me how to fall, take a breath, and get back up to try again. Its taught me to appreciate the hard work needed to improve and overcome mental blocks. Gymnastics also incorporated my love for science, as understanding the physics of every skill made it easier to conceptualize and perform.

I began gymnastics as an outlet for my toddler energy and hope to go to the Olympics. However, now it is an outlet for my creativity as I design intricate routines for myself. I also enjoyed competitions: the 2000s girl-power songs blasting through the space, the anticipation I felt before I began, the parents cheering from the sidelines, and the pride as I stood on the podium.

However, gymnastics was about more than hard work and competitions, it was about the friendships that were forged along the way. I’ve developed my closest friendships with the teammates who have been with me through my highest highs and lowest lows, in and out of the sport. Encouraging one-another as we trained together showed me the importance of being a part of a team, practicing alongside people I trusted, and having teammates who supported and understood me.