I have said that gymnastics can be abusive and brutal. That was my experience. I felt trapped in a world where authority figures were dictating my future.
There are so many things that we have to be grateful for. It gets so easy to get caught up with one thing that, you know, isn't perfect or not going the way you thought it would, but we always need to be grateful for what we have.
Be yourself. It's really important not to try and be someone else.
Both my parents had never been to New York, so when they got to go out with me for 'Good Morning America,' they were so happy.
I want to keep upgrading my routines and focus on cleaning them up and being consistent.
The joy had been ripped away from me, but deep down, I loved the competition floor. And I thought, 'Gymnastics is literally the only thing I have.'
Women are 'expected' to have skinny waists yet still be voluptuous. People surrounding us tell us we need to eat but then look at us in disgust if we cross the invisible line of overeating.
I've been told I looked like I swallowed an elephant or a pig, whichever was more fitting that day.
Performing is my favorite thing.
I think competing is one of my favorite things ever.
During my freshman year of college, it became undeniably clear that I didn't want to be great again. I correlated greatness with misery.
I was a mess my freshman year of college. I still had so much pain in my heart.
One habit that's important for keeping me mentally healthy is having meaningful conversations with the people around me. That's a habit that fuels my body and my mind. I also like to go to the beach and write, and I've been trying to focus on giving myself time to be alone.
At just 16 years old, I was told that my back would never be the same again. My well-being had been neglected for the opportunity to win a gold medal.
I think I finally have really taken ownership of myself and me as a gymnast.
As a gymnast, I've always compartmentalized my life, which is a blessing and a curse. But over time, I've learned that my sport doesn't fully define me, and I think that's where a lot of the joy in my routines comes from now: I'm not compartmentalizing as much, and I know who I am beyond my sport.
My teammates and my coaches have all allowed me to step into my individuality and not be defined by just being a gymnast.
I'm healthy - for a gymnast.
I was encouraged to use my voice and explore my passions outside of the sport. And when I did that, I was finally able to realize my true self-worth. I was more than that of a gymnast.
My mom was a high school gymnast.
